Walk Across Brooklyn Bridge

 

I’ve walked more in the last three days than ever before! After another long day of walking, all we wanted was a tub of cold water, Epsom salt, and a refreshing glass of wine.

IMG_4584 Our day started early with another trip to 71 Irving Place.

They have fallen in love with the amazing service and refreshing brews at 71 Irving Place. We especially love that one of their managers went to UGA and sports a UGA hat everyday! GO DAWGS! They take great pride in delivering beautiful lattes everyday!

Next on the to do list was convincing Mom and Dad to ride the subway down to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall. I forget that the subway can be intimidating and a bit closterphobic for people who don’t experience it daily. Dad was nervous the entire time.

IMG_4507 I couldn’t wait to share one of my favorite NYC experiences with my parents.

IMG_4510 The Brooklyn Bridge adventure is an easy one to enjoy with out of towners and allows them to cross multiple things off their list:

-Visit Brooklyn

-Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge

-Have a fun photo shoot

-Enjoy amazing views of New York

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The first time we took on this endeavor we followed some great tips we found online:

  1. Enter on the Manhattan side of the bridge, near City Hall, from Park Row and Centre Street. To get there, take the 6 train to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall or the J train to Chambers Street.
  2. Go up the concrete ramp. Once you hit the wooden planks, you’re officially on the bridge.
  3. Make sure you stay clear of the bike lane! The Brooklyn Bridge is often crowded, and cyclists have little concern for meandering walkers.
  4. Enjoy the views. You’ll be able to see some of Manhattan’s most famous structures, including the Woolworth Building and the Empire State Building, from the bridge. Don’t miss the Statue of Liberty, which will appear on your right.
  5. When you’ve had your fill of walking the Brooklyn Bridge, exit on the Brooklyn side.
  6. When you exit the bridge, go south on Front Street until you hit Old Fulton Street. Turn right. Grimaldi’s is located at 19 Old Fulton St.

Today we weren’t in search of pizza; just a good workout and lots of photos. The bridge is 1.14 miles each way and includes wood planks and inclines so I highly recommend comfortable clothes and shoes.

We took our time today and took in the history lesson available via the signs.

IMG_4512 We stopped to pose for both fun and silly pictures! My dad keeps mom and I both very young proving that age isn’t important!

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IMG_4535 IMG_4539 My dad thought it would be fun to imitate the impatient bikers who were constantly yelling and honking. I love that my dad is 61 years young and can’t help but smile!

My dad imitated the yoga moves he saw mom and I doing last night.  IMG_4541 Mom and I continued our yoga moves with some warrior 1 on the bridge. My mom is searching for a beginner level yoga DVD. Please let me know if you have any suggestions!

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When the temperature rises, be sure to hydrate properly.

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Realize that the no makeup and natural sunshine look is beautiful!

IMG_4529 Take a break at the tope to enjoy the 360 degree panoramic views!

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Our adventure lead us through Brooklyn after the bridge as we had to search for a bathroom and then some cold water. After our morning hike we were STARVING! My dad used his Droid and Trip Advisor to find our lunch spot. I’ll admit, I had doubts and felt as if I was going on a wild goose chase but his find was a hidden gem in the middle of the Lower East Side. I don’t have time to share now as we’re sitting down to watch a movie together but I’ll leave you with pictures from our afternoon lunch and adventure!

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Happy Sunday!

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A Cupcake Tour of New York City

 

When my parents told me they were coming to NYC for their first visit in over 10 years, I was beyond excited. They would finally see our home, the city from my vantage point, and taste the delicious flavors we’ve discovered. But, I didn’t know what we’d do all day. They’ve been to the museums, tourist hot spots, and multiple shows.

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Therefore, I was elated when my dad gave me a challenge. “I want to taste the best cupcake in NYC!

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Over the past 24 hours we have walked from one end of the city to another in search of the tastiest crumb. So far, we’ve visited the following:

Billy’s Bakery

Magnolia Bakery

Buttercup Bakery

Crumbs Bakery

Ferraras Bakery

Baked by Melissa

and

Balthazaar Bakery.

Our winning cupcake based on taste, texture, and bakery ambience is a tie between Magnolia Bakery and Buttercup Bakery!

Magnolia Bakery was our first stop on the tour! After a two hour walk through Central Park, our legs were happy for the extra seating area and our stomachs were thrilled with the wide selection. Their cupcakes are  traditional cupcake size, but their icing is more bountiful than most. The cake is moist and fragrant. Their butter cream icing tastes as good as it looks. It is soft, rich, and the warm vanilla flavor permeates both the air in the shop and your lips as you lick them in glee. My mom and I shared the Hummingbird Cupcake which is adorned with toasted walnuts. The moist cake is filled with sweet pineapple shreds while the vanilla icing balances the sweetness. My dad devoured Magnolia Bakery’s classic favorite, vanilla vanilla. In one word, he describes it as “WOW.” The simplest of their cupcakes, sometimes simple is best. The swirled thick frosting and moist cake delivers the perfect cupcake experience.

 

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Buttercup Bakery, our other favorite, doesn’t have the same ambience but that shouldn’t be held against it. Smaller and off the beaten path, near the edge of Murray Hill and Midtown East, Buttercup Bakery is a hidden gem. The staff is friendly and humored my dad in his long conversations and inquisitive manner. He chatted about Southern food and the secrets to Buttercup Bakery’s success while my mom and I perused their cookbooks. We finally decided that we’d sample one cupcake and one Southern staple. Their red velvet cupcake is smaller than Magnolia’s but doubles over in cream cheese frosting. Unlike Magnolia, Buttercup understands that the only way to make traditional red velvet cake is when it’s paired with cream cheese icing. The cake is moist and barely crumbles when held to your mouth. The Southern staple we shared was a warm, delicious pecan bar. The bar’s buttery crust was made from shortbread while the filling was a strong brown sugar, Karo, and pecan creation. Hopefully this decadent treat will greet Bo and I when we are home for Thanksgiving since my mom purchased their cookbook after one bite of this bar.

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The worst of the bunch was unfortunately our last taste of the evening, Billy’s Bakery. While the bakery had the atmosphere and aroma one would expect, the service was not enthusiastic, passionate, or engaging. When I asked how long Billy’s had been in existence, the girl laughed at me and asked why I cared.

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In addition, 75% of the cupcakes we sampled were stale. Their carrot cupcake was the only redeeming factor, filled with moist raisins, carrot slices and topped with cream cheese frosting. But, their Red Velvet and Vanilla Buttercream were not worth the twelve block walk we took after dinner in search of a delicious final bite.

As my dad said, he can go home to Savannah and describe New York City in one word, “delicious.” Actually, his best quote of the day was, “Walking through NYC by myself was like having unprotected sex!” (To add some context to this comment, my dad navigated his way to the Barbour store while my mom and I had a girls afternoon of shopping and laughter.)

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