Dreams really do come true. Not to be dramatic, but when I found out I was pregnant with Aimee, I started dreaming of stuff like this: mommy and me trip to NYC. Finally, just a few weeks ago, that dream came true. Aimee and I traveled to New York to celebrate her 8th birthday with my mom and nana; it was nothing short of memorable, and I will, from now on, be recommending a similarly special trip to everyone I know. Today, I am going to share my favorite girly spots in the Big Apple so you can have your own kind of trip. Let’s get started!
Where to Stay
For this trip, my hotel decision was based on two pieces of criteria. First, the hotel had to be centrally located to our (mostly) midtown itinerary. Second, it had to have loads of girly touches. While there is no shortage of fabulous hotels in NYC, I’m not sure there is a more suitable option than where we ended up: The Whitby. Located a couple of blocks from both Central Park and Rockefeller Center, The Whitby is a brand new boutique hotel designed by Kit Kemp. A celebration of color, pattern, and design, the hotel is a feast for the eyes and senses. Located in a quieter section of midtown, I found the Whitby to be a charming respite from the city. The hotel room are ultra-luxe and the attention to details is endless.
We enjoyed a few meals, including a room service breakfast, at our hotel. The dining room at the hotel restaurant is stunning and refined. From the fresh pastries and great wine selection to the charming English china used at afternoon tea, I found myself continually amazed by the details. While some may think a hotel like this is not suitable for children, I thought it was the perfect venue for our special occasion.
Where to Eat
My goal here was simple: fun approachable food or fancy pinkies-out dining. Every meal had to check one of those two boxes. So it’s not surprise we found ourselves at a bunch of touristy venues I ordinarily wouldn’t land in on a trip to NYC. Still, we were really pleased everywhere we went and found that everything exceeded our expectations.
One highlight worth mentioning was our afternoon brunch at The Plaza. For us, a formal tea there was a bucket list item, and while it was certainly pricey, I am so glad we did it. Another highlight was our lunch at Laduree. Aimee adored the glass cases of macarons, and the food (and cocktails!) was delicious. Here’s a list of places I’d recommend.
Tea at The Plaza
Serendipity
Laduree
Tavern on the Green (watch Mr. Popper’s Penguins with your kiddo before you go!)
While We Were Young Kitchen
La Lanterna di Vittorio
La Mercerie
Tick Tock Diner
What to Do
There is SO MUCH to do in NYC. It’s kind of overwhelming, right? I knew that a detailed itinerary would help us maximize our time and ensure that we spent our limited weekend having fun. Given that this was Aimee’s first trip and she’s still pretty young, I wanted to do fun stuff. We will save the museums and history for the next trip. If you’re looking for something in a similar vein, check out my recommendations below!
The Color Factory
Museum of Ice Cream
Catch a Broadway Show (I recommend “Aladdin” or “The Lion King” for kids!)
Tea at The Plaza
Carriage Ride Through Central Park
Catch a Bicycle Carriage to See Times Square at Night
Shopping at FAO Schwartz, the LEGO store, or Stoney Clover Lane
Get a Blowout or Manicures at Nordstrom
Our Itinerary for a Mommy and Me Trip to NYC
If you’re looking for more travel guides, check out my recent trips here! For more on my (more adult) faves in NYC, look here!
