Having a New York Minute or two…
By Christie Causey
Times Square 2026
Lately, we’ve been traveling far more than usual. With our girls getting older, and supposedly wiser, though that’s still up for debate LOL! My husband and I have shifted from giving tangible gifts to giving the gift of travel for holidays and birthdays. This weekend was no exception.
To celebrate our youngest’s 17th birthday (even though her actual birthday is in November—more on that later), we whisked her away for a quick weekend in New York City. She adores it. It’s her place, her passion, and the city she hopes to call home someday. And honestly, I understand why. New York is endlessly intriguing, always in the headlines, often misunderstood, sometimes intimidating, yet undeniably magnetic. The moment you arrive, you’re swept up in its energy, and it’s pretty spectacular.
Our youngest is a Broadway devotee through and through. The lights, the music, the acting, the dancing, she loves every bit of it. Her biggest wish was to see Hamilton on Broadway. Her grandparents gifted her money for tickets with one condition: she had to go during Broadway Week, when 2‑for‑1 discount tickets are offered. The promotion runs twice a year, in late summer and winter, and it’s fantastic. Rather than one free ticket for every full‑price ticket, both tickets are simply issued at 50% off their original price (fees included). Shows participating in the promotion are listed on the NYC Tourism website.
We checked the dates and realized the weekend of September 11th was ideal, minimal missed work, just one missed school day, and homecoming the following weekend. Perfect.
So, tickets were secured, the hotel booked, flights arranged, and just like that… we were ready for New York.
We caught a very early direct flight from our hometown to LaGuardia and landed in New York by 8:30 a.m. Over time, we’ve learned that sticking to carry‑ons makes a huge difference, it lets us skip baggage claim entirely, which means we’re usually in the city by 9:30 and ready to dive straight into the day.
Everyone has their own preferences, but I’m a firm believer in using a car service like Uber or Lyft for the ride from the airport to the hotel. I like curbside pickup; it saves me from hauling bags down busy streets while trying to find the hotel and feeling worn out before the trip even begins.
It’s incredibly simple: download the app, choose your ride type, and head toward the baggage claim area. Signs will point you to the designated pickup zones for app‑based transportation. Once you reach that area, look for the specific curb letter where your driver will meet you. And that’s it…easy, efficient, and stress‑free.
There’s no shortage of things to see and do in New York City. You can wander through museums, stroll the park, dine at incredible restaurants, shop, catch a show, or lean fully into the tourist experience, it all depends on what you’re hoping to get out of your visit. Every trip we take is different.
We’ve done the full Christmas‑in‑New‑York adventure: staying in Midtown, waking up early for the Today Show, ice skating at Rockefeller Center, watching the Saks light show, browsing the Bryant Park holiday market, and embracing every bit of festive magic the city has to offer. But visiting in the fall or spring has an entirely different feel…still vibrant, still exciting, but with its own rhythm and charm. This weekend, our plan was simple: one full day dedicated to exploring and shopping, and a second full day devoted entirely to shows. We chose to stay in Midtown again, it’s central, convenient, and makes getting around incredibly easy.
Our girl mapped out day one, and it looked a little something like this:
Breakfast at Liberty Bagels — home of the famous rainbow bagel
Shopping along Broadway in SoHo
Browsing the street vendors on Canal Street
Grab a slice at Joe’s Pizza for a late lunch
Quick stop at the hotel to freshen up
Catch a glimpse of the Fashion Week live feed at Jupiter’s in Rockefeller Center
The Shoe Floor at Saks
Swing by The Plaza
Dinner at Bobby Van’s
And finally… sleep!
Our first day was packed from start to finish, but that’s the magic of New York. You can visit again and again and still never repeat the same experience. I think that’s why we love these quick weekend trips so much. If you’re lucky enough to have a local airport with an early direct flight—and yes, I mean early, the 6 a.m. kind, you can absolutely make a whirlwind weekend work.
I’ll be honest...it’s not a relaxing vacation. But it’s full of energy, excitement, and nonstop fun, and that makes it pretty incredible. If it’s your very first time in the city, though, I wouldn’t recommend squeezing it into a single weekend. New York deserves at least three full days—there’s simply too much to see, do, and experience.
Be sure and reach out to any of our travel advisors they can provide you a list of MUST DOs and MUST SEEs while you are there, you definitely don’t want to miss out on The Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, The Hi-Line, The Chelsea Market, Summit One Vanderbilt, I could go on and on… NYC is full of memorable and as my girls would say “insta worthy” moments! Cue the adult eye rolls! LOL!
Day two started with, of course…another bagel stop. We walked over to Columbus Circle, grabbed a corner table, and tried Broad Nosh Bagels. They absolutely lived up to the hype. The line out the door was a clear sign of how popular the place is, and our girl knew exactly what to order for all of us, so we let her handle the details while we sat down and I caught up on a little work I missed from the day before.
She confidently rattled off: a vanilla latte and a cinnamon‑raisin bacon, egg, and cheese for herself; the same sandwich plus a Coke Zero for her dad; and an everything‑bagel bacon, egg, and cheese with a small regular coffee for me. She didn’t miss a beat. Moments like that remind me she’s getting ready to spread her wings and head off on her own, but we’re not quite there yet.
Since today was our "show day," we knew our schedule would be tight, so we got an early start. After grabbing a quick breakfast, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoy a stroll through Central Park. Since we were already at Columbus Circle, it felt like the perfect place to begin our morning.
After crossing Broadway and Central Park West, we entered the park and immediately came across the Smorgasburg open-air food market. The entrance was lined with an impressive variety of food vendors, making it a great option for breakfast or lunch. Having already eaten, we admired it briefly before continuing on our way.
We headed west through the park, soaking in the incredible weather. The park was alive with activity, filled with runners, walkers, cyclists, horse drawn carriages and fitness enthusiasts enjoying the sunshine. Dog parks were bustling, yoga classes stretched across the lawns, and several birthday celebrations were taking place throughout the park. We passed iconic landmarks such as Tavern on the Green and Strawberry Fields, taking our time to appreciate the lively atmosphere and scenic surroundings.
Eventually, we emerged near the American Museum of Natural History on West 81st Street and made our way back toward the hotel via Columbus Avenue. Our daughter was determined to find a Blank Street Coffee location, and along the way we inevitably stumbled upon a Crumbl Cookie. Lately, it seems that no matter where we travel, there's always one nearby waiting to be discovered. LOL! After satisfying our girls' sweet tooth, we continued down Columbus Avenue, where the dining options seemed endless. The Upper West Side is packed with incredible restaurants, and spots like The Mermaid Inn, Harvest Kitchen, and Ella Social are just a few of the many standouts. But today we knew we didn’t have very much time before our first show of the day, so we had to pass up on our favs.
We had tickets to see Hamilton, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Like most Broadway productions, theatergoers were allowed to line up before the doors opened, so we arrived around 1:00 p.m. and found our spot in line. I highly recommend arriving at least an hour before showtime. Remember, the listed showtime is when the curtain rises, not when you should be walking through the theater doors. Arriving early gives you plenty of time to get through security, find your seats, browse merchandise, purchase refreshments, and soak in the excitement before the performance begins.
While we waited, theater staff were promoting a convenient pre-order system for refreshments and merch. By simply scanning a QR code, guests could purchase drinks, snacks, or merchandise in advance and then pick up their items inside the theater upon entry. It was an incredibly efficient process that helped avoid the long concession and merchandise lines typically seen before a performance and during intermission.
If you're planning to see a Broadway show and think you might want a drink, snack, or souvenir, I highly recommend taking advantage of this option. The ordering process takes just a minute, and once inside, it's truly grab-and-go, allowing you to spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying the experience.
Our seats were in the second mezzanine, and honestly, they couldn't have been more perfect. I've always loved sitting a little higher up with a centered view of the stage, and these seats delivered exactly that. Our row had only two seats, which made it feel even more special. Even though we were in the very last row of the theater, I can't say enough about how fantastic the view was. We could see every detail of the performance without obstruction, and the elevated perspective gave us a wonderful view of the entire stage and honestly for the price we paid they were amazing!
As the show came to a close, my daughter quietly slipped out just before the final bows to secure a good spot at the stage door in hopes of collecting a few cast autographs on her Playbill. Her strategy paid off perfectly. The very first person she met was none other than Christopher Jackson. It was a moment she'll never forget and a major bucket-list item checked off for this Broadway loving girl. The smile on her face said it all.
** Side Note: One of the fun Broadway traditions is waiting outside the stage door after the show. Most theaters allow patrons to stand behind the barricades near the cast entrance, where performers may stop to sign Playbills, take photos, and interact with fans as they leave. While it's never guaranteed that cast members will come out or have time to stop, it's absolutely worth waiting around for a little while, especially if you're traveling with a Broadway enthusiast. You never know who might walk through those doors, and those unexpected encounters can become some of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.
The show ran about 2 hours and 45 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission, so we didn't have much downtime before it was time to line up for our second show of the day.
My husband skipped Hamilton and left the Broadway marathon to our girl and me. With a full schedule of college football games on that afternoon and a bigger interest in touchdowns than show tunes, he spent the day at a local sports bar catching the action. After the show, we met back up, grabbed a quick bite at the Carnegie Diner, and then headed off to our next adventure.
Next up was The Lost Boys, and it was absolutely fantastic and we all three saw this show! As a Gen Xer who grew up in the 1980s, this one felt like a nostalgic trip back in time. The energy, music, and storyline brought back all the memories of the cult-classic film. If you grew up during that era, you understand the appeal immediately. I mean, who could forget Michael, Sam, the Frog Brothers, and a gang of vampires that made being a little scared seem unbelievably cool?
For anyone who loves the 80s, nostalgia, and great storytelling, The Lost Boys was a Broadway experience we won't soon forget.
As the show came to a close, my daughter once again slipped out a few minutes early with her dad, determined to secure a good spot at the stage door in hopes of collecting a few cast autographs. I stayed behind to enjoy the final bows. Unfortunately, on this night the cast chose not to come out to greet fans. As I mentioned earlier, stage door appearances are never guaranteed. Performers may or may not stop for autographs and photos depending on their schedules and other commitments, so it's always a bit of a gamble. But it worked out the first night, so she was satisfied.
With that, our Broadway show adventure came to an end. We returned to the hotel, packed up, and turned in for the night. The next morning, we caught a noon flight out of LaGuardia and were back home, settling into our normal Sunday routine by mid-afternoon.
New York City never disappoints. From world-class theater and incredible dining to the unmistakable energy that fills every street, it remains one of our favorite destinations for a quick getaway. Whether you're planning a weekend of Broadway shows, sightseeing, shopping, or simply soaking in the atmosphere of the Big Apple, New York offers something for everyone.
If a New York City escape is on your bucket list, our travel advisors would love to help you plan the perfect trip. Let us take care of the details so you can focus on creating unforgettable memories.