I wish I could say recently, but it’s been quite a few months now, I spent a week working in NYC.  I lived there for two years, a million years ago, and I haven’t been back in 12 years.  I was in a New York state of mind.  At one point I enthusiastically said to my friend, who also used to live there, “I really think I could live here again!”

His response, “That’s because you’re staying at a fancy hotel that’s paid for by someone else, and you’re busy working all week.  You’re not hauling your laundry three blocks to the Laundromat, or getting smashed on the subway everyday, or experiencing the joy of the smell of urine rising from the sidewalk.”  That’s not verbatim, but you get the point.  And he was right.

The truth is, everyday life in New York City is hard.  But it’s also exciting.  And I miss it.  So, while I didn’t have much downtime in the city this trip, here’s how I spent one fine day in New York City.  I had the company of my good friend Tarrah and we milked it for all it was worth.  It was absolutely the perfect day!  And we didn’t have to fight George Clooney for a taxi cab in the pouring rain.

1. The Freedom Tower: Tarrah and I were staying in Mid-Town so we hopped in a cab and headed downtown. One World Trade Center, also known as The Freedom Tower, is an impressive sight.  What it represents is even more impressive: we can rebuild {figuratively and literally,} we are resilient, and of course, we have our freedom.  The Observatory is open so you can go to the top if you like, we chose to spend our time at the museum.
2. The 9/11 Memorial Museum: This one speaks for itself. You won’t get out of here with dry eyes.  Thankfully, there are tissue stations throughout the museum.  You will use them often.  
3. Happy Hour in SoHo: After we left the museum, we needed a drink, so we started walking north in search of Tarrah’s must-do; Oyster Happy Hour. Several blocks north, and several more blocks east brought us to Sel Rrose, a super cute, hidden gem on the edge of SoHo.  They had $1 oyster happy hour, so Tarrah ate her happy heart out, and washed those slimy things down with a nice glass of Rosé.  I had a delicious lobster roll and a craft cocktail, the Spring & Delancey, made with blackberries, peach infused vodka and lemon.  Yum!
4. Bubble Bath in a Midtown Suite: We did a lot of walking and a lot of crying, so we were ready to head back to the hotel and relax. We hopped in a cab, and I went to grab us an afternoon coffee. I’m struggling with how to word this correctly without making it sound dirty.  Basically, we each took a separate and private turn in the giant tub, soaking our tired feet in loads of bubbles {FYI – hotel shampoo makes great bubble bath.}  Sorry, no photo:)
5. Dinner in the East Village: Now that we had our second wind, we hopped in a cab and met a couple of Tarrah’s friends for dinner in the East Village at an Italian restaurant called Giano.  It was delicious, not too busy, and the owner is a little offended if you don’t lick your plate clean.  The accompanying photo has nothing to do with the restaurant, but I forgot to take a picture, so enjoy this one of NYC at night.
6. Drinks on St. Marks Place: We headed to Ten Degrees for drinks after dinner, and I stayed out way past my bedtime.  I made it back to the hotel for three hours of sleep before hopping in a cab and heading to JFK. It felt good to act I was in college again.  New York City will do that to you.

The day was a good reminder of why I wanted to live there in the first place, but also a reminder of why I left.  New York will always hold a special place in my heart and I love that I can visit anytime.

If you had one day in New York City, how would you spend it?