Leaving later this morning to spend Labor Day weekend in New York City with my family. Haven’t been to NYC in almost four months, the longest it’s been since I moved back to DC last winter. Obviously couldn’t sleep until I’d made a list of things to do:
- Order a Black Tap milkshake. If you haven’t seen these on social media yet, you must not be on any social media. Beth just moved next to the SoHo location, which means she’s also near Dominique Ansel Bakery…
- Visit the Statue of Liberty. I’ve been to New York at least a dozen times now, but have yet to see this iconic symbol of the American dream. We’re planning on taking a ferry and possibly climbing up to the crown. When I was in the fourth grade, I read the entire Dear America series, including the diary of Zipporah, a Russian Jewish immigrant who found hope in viewing Lady Liberty from her ship… Before her family was subjected to humiliating physical exams on Ellis Island and, later, her friend burned to death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. (The epistolary form truly can convince kids to read anything.) I’ve wanted to see the Statue ever since.
- See the Roof Garden Commission at the Met. Of all the items on my previous NYC to-do list that I didn’t get to accomplish, this is the most important, in my mind.
- Participate in Sleep No More. This immersive theater experience features scenes from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which take place over four floors of a Manhattan warehouse transformed into a 1920’s hotel. Audience members wear masks and can “choose their own adventure,” exploring the different rooms and possibly even interacting with the characters. Every detail of the 1920’s-themed sets is immaculately designed. I’m especially looking forward to finding the room that is supposedly dressed up as a candy shop–complete with actual candy! Also, I had to stop at the library today to brush up on Macbeth, since I haven’t come across the play since high school!
- Visit the World Trade Center Transportation Hub. This new WTC subway station looks like an architectural wonder in photos. There’s a good chance we’ll also visit One World Observatory, since my parents really enjoy seeing cities from obscene heights.
- Order bubble tea at Meet U. This new bubble tea place in Chinatown has those Insta-worthy cups shaped like light bulbs, as well as knotted bendy straws. Presentation is everything.
- Shop. With my family, not to mention Labor Day sales, I imagine we’ll do a fair amount of shopping. Fairly certain I won’t need anything to wear this fall other than this cape, but half of the shopping in New York is for the experience. I at least want to stop in the Club Monaco on 5th, which has a Strand bookstore attached.
- Attend The Upright Citizens Brigade‘s ASSSSCAT 3000. I’ve seen shows by this improv troupe (featuring tons of famous comedians, including Amy Poehler) on tour twice and would love to see the full cast on their home turf. The show is free on Sunday nights (and really cheap every other night)!
- Find tickets for the Museum of Ice Cream. This pop-up museum dedicated to what I love most in life sold out immediately and ends next weekend. But where there’s a will, there’s a way. (Currently combing through Craigslist for reasonably priced tickets.)
- Win the Hamilton lottery. “I am not throwing away my shot.”
View of Manhattan skyline from Smorgasburg in Brooklyn
Haney Bee 