Mr. Penguin and I are taking a whirlwind trip to New York! We’re taking a red eye on Virgin America and arriving in NYC first thing tomorrow morning.
I. Am. Excited.
I’ve known Bee and Mr. Bee since 2007, and have been slaving working for Mrs. Bee since shortly after our June 2008 wedding. Can you believe that I’ve never met Mrs. Bee? It’s one of the first things that people ask me when they find out that I work for Weddingbee. No, we’ve never met, but I think it’s pretty accurate to say that we’ve spoken to each other every day since mid-last year. Christmas and Thanksgiving included, I do believe. She is practically family to me, yet we’ve never met. Mr. Penguin thinks that this is bizzarre… having a life that is so severely impacted by all the bees that I’ve never met in real life. He thinks the internet is utterly insane. Aside from the majority of the Nor Cal bees (WHUTTUP NOR CAL), I haven’t met many of the girls that I interact with on a daily basis! Crazy.
Anyhoo, NYC.
We have some great stuff planned, but have some gaps that we’re looking to fill in, and I’m hoping any NYCers or NYC enthusiasts can point us in a direction for the gaps in our trip! I’ve been studying the ways of the New Yorkers by watching The City religiously. It seems like New Yorkers don’t like gossiping as much as us Cali girls do, and they also like to wear funny little beret or beanie hats all the friggin’ time. So, no gossiping, wear hats. Got it.
The Bees have been sending us tons of links to awesome things to do, so we’re definitely hitting up some of those things!
Things we want to do:
THURSDAY
7:20 AM Arrive at JFK, Take car to drop bags at B and B in the West Village
EAT BAGELS. Mr. Bee recommends Murray’s Bagels
Daytime – Explore West Village, physically assault Bee with hugs and kisses, point and laugh at her for having to do all my work while I’m on vacation in her own living room, smooch Sparky and Smokey, rest a little bit
8:30 PM Dinner at Babbo
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FRIDAY
11:00 AM Eating Tour of Greenwich Village
6:30 PM Dinner with Mr. Peng’s brother at Jean Georges
8:00 PM Chicago on Broadway
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SATURDAY
12:00 PM Brunch with Mrs. Spider
2:00 PM Bee and I are getting our makeup and hair done by Mrs. Caramel! She’s launching her business in NYC after her move from LA, so I’m excited to finally meet her! I wanted her to do my makeup for our engagement pics while I was in LA, but she was booked solid!
7:00 PM MEET EAST COAST BEES! DRINK WITH EAST COAST BEES!
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SUNDAY
Nurse hangover. Sightsee. EAT MORE BAGELS. Be tourists.
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MONDAY
Something. Dunno what. Something good.
2:00 PM Take Subway, etc to Airport
4:40 PM Depart from JFK
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As you can see, my schedule is kind of all over the place. We need to come up with a solid plan for when we are going to hit the sights and how much time we’re going to dedicate to them. I think we’ll be okay on food though. Lots of eating going on up there. I bought some new boots that are somewhat comfortable, but Bee said that I’d probably end up wearing my Uggs the whole time. This is unfortunate, because I bought 21.7 pounds (fer reals) of shoes on Zappos yesterday (most of which I plan to return, obviously).
I’m a little nervous about the weather. I don’t own a hat or gloves, and haven’t had time to buy any, so I think I’ll buy some when I touch down in NY. I was at Anthropologie in Berkeley on Sunday, and they’ve already busted out the spring clothes here, so that was no help. Mrs. Spider recommended that I buy those hand/feet warmers from a sporting goods store, so I’ll do that. I wonder if that stuff is legit to bring on planes? Oh well, there is only one way to find out.
I’d love to really just do “touristy” things while I’m there. I know that sounds kinda lame, but I’ve never been to NYC, and with 4 short days there, I really want to hit up the “big attractions”, if you will, but I’m willing to do anything that will totally blow my mind. I wouldn’t mind spending a half day in a museum… but which one? I’d love any recommendations you have! And I challenge you to come up with better Cheesecake/Pizza/Bagel places than have been suggested. Dare ya!
So, how should we attack the touristy stuff? Any tips for a New York virgin? We’re wide open on Sunday!
I don’t know how long your stay is, but every Friday there is a free raffle drawing at 6 PM so you’ll have to sign in your name around 5 something for the Wicked the Broadway show tickets drawing. My friend and I tried and she won and got to see the show. Good Luck and have a wonderful time in NYC.
Oooo, I’m SO jealous about all the great places you’ll be visiting to eat! And, of course, excited for you to properly be(e)friend (I know, groan) 
Mr. and Mrs. Bee.
Mrs. Penguin — HAVE FUN! I’m so excited to read the posts about you and Mrs. Bee happily leaping into each others arms. I would check the airport and places like CVS/Rite Aid for gloves once you’re on the east coast…we’ve been shopping for gloves for my poor FH here in DC and like NorCAL all the stores (AE, Gap, Banana) have busted out bikinis and flip flops…and it is COOOOOOOLLLLD!
there are tons of street vendors out with plenty of gloves and hats so you shouldn’t have a problem finding something. Since you are planning to go to Central Park I would stop into the Met. It may be a huge tourist attraction but it really is worth seeing. HAVE FUN!!
I would also recommend going to the MET; if you have time and are somewhat interested in art and history. That place is amazing and situated on one edge of Central Park. You could easily spend a day exploring each place, but could also make a quicky sight-seeing/picture-taking stop at both places in one day. Have FUN! NYC is amazing for sight-seeing!
Definitely go to the Met or Moma!!! But beware, most museums are closed on Mondays.
Don’t skimp time in central park, it is amazing.
St. Patricks Cathedral is utterly amazing, and close to other tourist destinations. (Ice skating, perhaps?)
Have fun!!!! 
I’m sure you’ll get tons of tips from mr. and mrs. bee, and other ny’er’s, but my quick two cents is this– go to see the empire state building at night. shorter lines and more romantic way to view the skyline. BRING/BUY WARM CLOTHES, especially a warm hat, makes a difference. If you’re not too afraid of the cold, or it’s a nice day, take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry– it’s free and you get a closer view of the statue of liberty without the lines and you get to see the skyline in that classic approach-by-sea way. And, stop to eat at least 5-7 times a day– a slice, a bagel, a pretzel whatever it is NY is meant to be explored by the tastebuds. Enjoy!
LOL at “I’ll freeze ass”! I almost snorted! Sounds like a fun trip AND you get to hang with Mr. and Mrs. Bee!!!
PIE! By far my favorite pizza place in NYC (it’s on 4th near NYU). For those not faint at heart..they have a peanut butter and banana pizza (in addition to the best white pizza on the planet!)
I’m so excited for you (but do grab some gloves!)
So great! Magnolia cupcake is unsurpassed. Seattle tries and fails on that account for sure (Trophy cupcake is better than Cupcake Royale).
Eileen’s is the best cheesecake, although my parents would tell you that you have to go to Veniero’s. http://www.venierospastry.com/
Maybe you’ll have to try both?! I lived in the East Village, so I always ended up at Veniero’s.
Pizza is good all over!
The boutiques are amazing. I always stop in to Scoop (and usually buy something), Gigi and Agent Provacateur (lingerie)…
You are going to have such a blast! Take lots of pics. We’re waiting for recaps!
I’m NY-er , here’s my 2 cents: Take the Staten Island Ferry to get a good free view of the Statue of Liberty. Whilst you are downtown you can go to Century 21 – which is a shopping mecca! Since you will be in the West Village you will be near many amazing (high end) shops – Tracy Reese, Calypso, DVF, Stella McCartney, Scoop…
For a Museum, really nothing beats the Met. You should pick up a copy of Time Out NY (the weekly mag) as they have listings of stuff to do all over the city.
Also, get thee to the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock (in Rockefeller Center) to take in amazing views of the city.
I have been to NYC twice, and definitely recommend all attractions mentioned above. I will be there again in March for WICKED, and heard that there is a Sex and the City Tour that’s pretty awesome if you are a fan of the show (which I am). I am thinking about going on it, but have no details…It might be something for you to look into though if you are a fan of the show!
mmmmm Babbo….2 words….UH-MAZING
enjoy!
Oh and if you happen to find yourself in Chelsea there is a bakery called Billy’s and the cupcakes there beat Magnolia’s in my personal taste test.
Another, great, (free) touristy thing to do is to walk past Saks, Barney’s, and the big department stores to take in their amazing window displays.
LOL. You should definitely take pics of any of the other “bees” you meet in NYC — like, sounds like you’re going to be seeing a lot of Cupcakes.
If you do one museum I’d say the Met. It’s awesome and perfect before/after Central Park. I’ve never been to the Empire State building even though I walked by it going to work every day for years. I have heard better things about doing the view in Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock). And if you go to Rock Center you can do 5th Avenue/Saks! And Magnolia just opened a bakery in Rock Center, too. (They have three locations now.)
You are going to have an amazing time! And definitely deserve a vacation! I can’t believe you haven’t ever met Mrs. Bee. I’ve never been to NY but always wanted to go. Take lots of pictures!!
Mrs. Penguin, I have one suggestion to make your exit from New York a bit faster and smoother. Take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) from Penn Station to Jamaica/JFK instead of taking the subway. It will take you much less time (I’m talking like 12 minutes instead of over an hour), and the JFK stop is the first stop on the train. The LIRR stops at the same place at the subway, so you can get the Airtrain straight into the airport there.
Just my two cents. No reason to leave New York via stinky, slooow subway when you can go quickly on the commuter rail
I agree on the Met or MOMA–they’re both amazing. ALSO! I went to Babbo in December-it.was.so.incredibly.delicious. It may have been the best meal I’ve eaten IN MY LIFE. (And I’m a halfway foodie.) Also the service we had there was incredible (the waiter even gave us a free bottle of “dessert wine”!)
My FH and I took a trip to NYC in December and we had three days. I’d recommend eating at Mama Empandadas if you like empanadas. They seriously have EVERY kind. I would recommend the fried yucca with the green sauce as an appetizer and their sangria is tasty and affordable! We ended up going to Central Park every day! The Zoo there is fun and the FH looked like a little kid running around pointing to polar bears and other animals. I’m from Florida so the weather was an adjustment. Definitely get gloves! I have blurry photos from the first day because I forgot mine and my hands were freezing!!
Mrs. Penguin, Northern California Age and Occupation: 27, Weddingbee Editor in Chief Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Doctor of Physical Therapy Engagement Date: January 29, 2007 Wedding Date: June 7, 2008 Blogging Since: September 14, 2007 Venue: Winery in the Gold Country About Me: I love the Spice Girls, dogs with underbites, bean burritos, making messes, high fives, avoiding showers, crossword puzzles, blogs, weddings, and blogs about weddings!
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