My favorite thing to do when I go to a city is to walk around and explore the environs, and if it's a big city like New York or San Francisco, I usually stay close to the hotel. There is always so much to do and see within a few mile radius, and you get to learn a bit about one section of town. The trick is to book a hotel in a different neighborhood each time so that you slowly stitch together a feel for the city as a whole. This trip we are staying in Midtown New York, and there is a LOT going on around here! It will be hard NOT to find something fun to do! We start our day with breakfast at the hotel. For me, this is an egg-white frittata with some veggies, a bit of cheese, a light little salad on top and some multigrain toast. I get about halfway through before I am done. Time to embark on an adventure.

Today I have a mission, and that is to find a dress for a special event coming up soon. We are three - four blocks from 5th Avenue, so I am headed there. I stroll along Central Park South, past the Park Plaza Hotel and am basically 2 blocks away from 5th Ave. I am a little apprehensive, because 1. it sounds expensive, and 2. I have no idea what kind of freak-show outfits I am going to find. Here is a little display for your viewing pleasure.

It's hard to explain exactly what is going on here from a fashion standpoint, and I know this is not for me, but not before I text Bob and tell him I bought the feathery number and he is going to love it! I head on down the street and see a lot of store windows with similarly funky stuff. Retail is trying to attract a younger crowd, and I hope it is working, but boy, I am not optimistic! I try a few more department stores and am not feeling anything. Suddenly I see a store that appeals to older women, with dresses that are lovely yet somewhat conservative, with no feathers or odd patterns. I go in, see the perfect dress, try on about five and select the one I knew would work. Voila!! Huge relief! They will alter it for me and ship it. Mission accomplished. Time to see some stuff. Enough shopping for me. I continue my stroll down the avenue and enjoy the sights, sounds and people of the city. It is cold, I have been shopping for hours, and I need a little pick-me-up. I know just the perfect place!

Brasserie Ruhlman is in the midst of Rockefeller Center right next to NBC Studios, so don't be surprised if you see some media types in suits having power lunches. I am here for a quick snack, so I sit at the bar and peruse their lunch menu. Bob and I came here on a cold winter day a few years back, and I had the best French Onion Soup I'd ever eaten, and I might just go there again. Until I see the raw bar menu. I think 6 east coast oysters washed down by something bubbly will work well, so that is what I do. Plus I made French Onion Soup last month, it was great, and I'm just not craving it. Here is a shot of the restaurant and my lovely lunch.

The interior is what you'd expect from a Brasserie -- dark wood, brass lights, white tablecloths. My oysters were pefect, tiny, briny and oh so good! They come with cocktail sauce and a mignonette, but I like a squeeze of lemon and nothing else. I linger for a bit, looking out the window at the flags of every nation flying in the plaza, and all the people rushing by in every direction, until it is finally time to see more sights. I am in the perfect spot to do it.

Some of these places I have been to, some I have not. I have never seen a show at Radio City but would love to see the Christmas Extravaganza. I have been to the Rainbow Room and I have stood at the Today show waving my arms like an idiot so that my mom would see me (long time ago!!). I have seen the tree (amazing) and I have skated on the ice rink with my sister, her friend Cathy, the amazing Margo and her sister Kristi. Here is proof.

After sight-seeing and a little reminiscing, it is time to head back to the hotel to blog about day one and prepare for the evening portion of the program, dinner and a show. We are dining at the Mandarin Oriental and then going to Broadway to see "Hamilton". On my way, I pass St. Patrick's Cathedral, a New York City landmark, and she is beautiful. Here are a few street scenes from my return, and from our dinner. There are no photos allowed in the theater, sorry, but Hamilton was fantastic and you all should go! It is three hours (including intermission) of amazing song and dance with tons of history injected into it. Sets, lighting and choreography all great! Time to call it a night. Maybe tomorrow I will do a walking tour of Central Park and share photos, it is arguably the best part of the city. Stay tuned and thanks for following Ann!