The Six Musketeers Take NYC/ Part I

We dubbed this trip The six musketeers take NYC because Ale and I traveled with my brothers and their wives.  We took on the big apple as the #sixmusketeers and got to enjoy four days of a babyfree/ worry free/ adult only vacation. I had you at babyfree… I know! We had a packed itinerary complete with reservations to a few of our favorite restaurants, tickets to a few attractions and we even had the chance to meet up with one of Corinas uncles who gave us an inside view to Grand Central Station and Harlem (Thanks Orlando!!)
  I’ll be posting the days individually since I have a gazillion pictures (sorry in advance) Also because I’ve gotten multiple questions about our itinerary, I’ll be posting our itinerary on here so that it’s accessible to our readers.

^^ I know it’s silly, but this was one of my favorite parts of our trip.  For the first time in a while, Ale and I got a chance to sit quietly, with no interruptions (other than a little turbulence) and have a drink while dreaming about our time in NY with Meg and Tom.  It was so sweet and although the flight itself wasn’t great, our time together was enchanting^^
Our first stop after checking in our bags was Jacob’s Pickles for some incredible (probably the best ever) southern comfort food.  We all itched to revisit this spot the entire time we were in the city and we probably would have gone back if we had stayed one extra day.

If you go, try the gazpacho appetizer, the croque madame, the coop platter, or the shrimp and grits.  They were amazing! and if you’re up for a drink, try the Kentucky porch sipper or the jam jar…. both were a hit!

The museum of natural history was a real treat! I only wish we would have had more time to enjoy all of the exhibits.  They’ll ask you to pay a “suggested amount” but you can pretty much pick your ticket price.

We were a little starstruck by this guy and posted this picture on our instagram.    Each exhibit topped the last one, but my absolute favorite was the 94 foot long, fiberglass replica of a blue wale. Ale had me close my eyes and open them right when we were in front of the whale. I’m pretty sure I’d pass out if I saw one of these in the water. Also, I kept thinking how this whale would bring the Jonah story to a whole new level for Grace.

On our first trip to NYC, Ale and I checked out the view from Top of the Rock.  The city is a completely different lady from up here and you really grasp when they call NYC the concrete jungle. We also got a chance to see the freedom tower to the right of the Empire State Building.   The first time we visited NYC, there was just a big hole in the ground (2009) and the second time, they were in the building process (2011).

If you go and you are undecided between the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock observation deck, you should opt for Top of the Rock.  You get a view like no other and you’re able to appreciate how magnificent Central Park really is.

^^Please excuse the unicorn picture of Ale and I. It was the prettiest of the bunch and makes me feel like I’m wearing a pointy tiara ^^
At the entrance of the Rockerfeller building lies a tiny little bakery known as Bouchon.  Ale and I grabbed a cup of coffee on our way to the Top of the Rock during our second trip and we knew that our company would really enjoy it.  Sammy had the fruit tart and Ale and Jorge had oh-oh’s (aka yodels… because they’re 13 at heart)

We finished off the night at Eataly’s La Birreria and although the food was not as amazing as we thought it would be, the microbrewery beer was great and the chill rooftop experience made the whole night worth it.

Goodness I can’t stop looking at these pictures. We had such a great time!