I adore New York! I love it so much I set my second novel there Three Nights in New York!
When my daughter reached her tenth birthday I decided she was ready to see the bright lights and be inspired by a trip to the Big Apple. My feature was published in the
Sunday World newspaper,..enjoy!
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| At the Rockerfeller Centre Ice Rink |
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| At the top of the Empire State Building |
For a mother and daughter trip, New York is the city that
has it all. So after recently turning double digits, Nicole and I set off for
three nights to celebrate. We took a United Airlines direct flight from Dublin
to Newark and treated ourselves to some extra leg space for $60. With personalised
entertainment monitors I was able to catch up on all the latest movies from
Wolf of Wall Street to American Hustle – while Nicole enjoyed Disney’s Frozen
and other kids’ classics. The airplane journey was an adventure in itself and
as we descended over Mahattan and the Statue of Liberty came into view Nicole
gasped, “It’s tiny Mum!” Needless to say as we made the journey through the
Lincoln tunnel to Manhattan, her perspective changed.
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| Dinner at the American Girl store with fabulous fashion designer Jacqueline Quinn NY and her daughter Gabrielle |
Nicole had her heart set on visiting the American Girl store
on Fifth Avenue, so after dropping our bags in the Radisson Martinique, we set
off to see what damage we could do to my credit card. The American Girl brand
is a subsidiary of the Mattel group and its products reflect every kind of
American Girl. With 60 personalised faces to choose from, your daughter can
have her very own 18” doll that looks like her. They retail at $110 but you
need to spend a lot more on accessories to get your daughter and doll
co-ordinating.
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| personal shopper Anne with Nicole |
We were shown around by our personal shopper, Anne from Kentucky,
who discreetly asked what our budget was. This was a good thing as it would be
very easy for mothers to lose the run of themselves in a store that has
everything a little girl desires for her doll. We decided to treat Nicole’s
doll to a hairdo and ear piercing. Then the doll got a new outfit and a pet dog.
We were meeting our friends for dinner and booked into the cafe on the third
floor for the ultimate end to our shopping experience. Nicole’s doll got her
own high-chair and we devoured the wonderful food, priced at
$26 pp for
three-courses.
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| Nicole's doll with new hairdo and earpiercings |
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| Meeting the Naked Cowboy in Times Square was quite a thrill |
After dinner we took a stroll around the Rockerfeller
ice-rink where there was an exhibition of decorated giant eggs on display. We
walked back to our hotel via the bright lights of Times Square, and took a
photo of The Real Naked Cowboy. With our biological clocks on Irish Time we
were relieved that our hotel was located conveniently on 32nd street
and Broadway. Our room was on the top floor and large by New York standards.
The Radisson Martinique is an historic hotel and the decor preserves the spirit
of Beaux Arts perfectly.
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| The naked Cowboy insisted on this photo...honest! |
Next morning Buffet Breakfast was served in the Cafe
Martinique which whisked us to turn-of-the-twentieth-century Paris. Nicole
devoured pancakes and syrup with hot chocolate, while I enjoyed a huge
selection of fresh fruits, eggs and bacon. Feeling like it was noon we set off for
the Empire State Building, only a short two-block-stroll from our hotel. With
city passes in hand, and an 8.15 start, we skipped the first line and didn’t
have to wait long before we were ascending in the elevator to the 80th
floor. The City Pass is a must buy if you want to see the major sights and
museums. We bought a T-shirt in the gift shop for the boys at home, and then
took a walk around the 86th floor. With so much done before nine o’clock
we went for a Starbucks then hit some shops.
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| My girl was in heaven in Macy's. |
Macy’s is only around the corner
from the Empire State and a must see. Here, Nicole had her eyes done with
sparkly lilac shadow because we had a very important treat lined up for the
afternoon. Mamma Mia is in its twelfth year in the Broadhurst Theatre on
Broadway and we had tickets for the matinee presentation. It is one of Nicole’s
favourite movies so I wasn’t sure how she was going to feel about seeing it on
stage. I needn’t have worried as she was enthralled from start to finish, apart
from the embarrassing moment when I got up to dance. But as the rest of the
audience were bopping in the aisles Nicole decided she should get involved too.
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| Mamma Mia it's Harry Headbanger! |
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| We are really on Braodway Yay! |
Next day our friends took us on a magical drive over the
Queensboro Bridge, to check out the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. This
suburb in Queens is where big screen history really began. The museum holds
some of the most notable memorabilia from the movies and has plenty of
interactive exhibits for kids. Nicole had fun doing a voiceover on the Wizard
of Oz and making her own flick book movie. Afterwards we strolled down Steinway
Street and enjoyed the cafe life along the way. As the Herald Square subway ran
directly under our hotel we had a quick train ride home that night. The
boroughs have a lot to offer with trendy bars and boutique shops so it is worth
stepping off Manhattan to explore Queens or Brooklyn.
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| Nicole and Yoda at the Museum of the Moving Image |
It was our last day and we had some important shops to
visit. The FAO Schwarz toy store has to be every child’s dream. Nicole’s eyes
were certainly bigger than her belly as she sped around the Big Candy Store
collecting Wonka sweets and Gummy Bears. The shop is directly across the road
from Central Park so we bought an ice-cream and ventured over to sit in the
sunshine.
The stretch down Fifth Avenue took us to shopping heaven but
have your wits about you before tackling the Hollister or Abercrombie and Fitch
stores.
We queued for ten minutes, night-club-style, before entering the shop.
Then I couldn’t even see the tags or hear myself think over the blaring music
and scantily clad assistants. Aeropostale is a much better destination if
shopping for the kids with better prices too.
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| Feeling like a princess at Juicy Couture |
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| Cirlce line cruises to the Statue of Liberty |
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| Jasper Johns Flag at the MOMA |
We left New York with a suitcase full of shopping and a
bagful of precious memories. It may be extravagant to take your young daughter
to New York but it has to be the stuff dreams are made of.
Michelle Jackson is the author of ‘Three Nights in New
York’, published by Poolbeg Press. See her website www.michellejackson.ie or amazon.co.uk
Factbox
Factbox
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organisation for the City of New York. For all there is to do and see in New York City, visit nycgo.com or call the Irish office in Dublin on +353 1 6319604. City Pass
Mamma Mia is playing at the Broadhurst theatre, 235 West 44th Street. New York.
Information re United Airlines sent by Vivienne from Walsh PR direct.
United Airlines offer a second daily Dublin-New York Nonstop Service for Summer
To stay at the Radisson Martinique Rates vary seasonally, from $285.00.
Website for the Hotel Radisson
Martinique
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