Tentative Itinerary for New York 2026

                        

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4-Day NYC Itinerary (April 15–18)

Home Base: Theatre District (Times Square/Broadway area)

Transportation: Walking, subway, bus, a few cabs

Travelers: You (58), son + wife (30s), grandson (14)

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DAY 1 — Tuesday, April 15

Morning — Times Square + Non-Touristy Midtown Wandering

You wake up early — perfect for beating the crowds.

• 6:30 AM — Quiet Times Square walk (best time; nearly empty and magical).
• Walk to Bryant Park & New York Public Library (free, peaceful, very photogenic).
• Grab breakfast:
  
• Zucker’s Bagels (NYC classic — salmon bagel, or bakery options)
• Leonelli Bakery (Italian pastries, not super touristy) 

Late Morning — Empire State Building

• Prebook tickets for around 10:00–10:30 AM
• Expect 60–90 minutes.
• Great for teens and adults — amazing photos.

Lunch Nearby

• Black Tap for burgers + crazy shakes (fun for your grandson).
  or
• Keens Steakhouse (historic, amazing lunch prix fixe).

Afternoon — Explore Chelsea + High Line

• Subway to 34th St–Hudson Yards
• Walk the High Line south: gardens, art, great Hudson River views
• End at Chelsea Market — grab snacks (doughnuts, tacos, gelato).

Early Evening — Rooftop Bar

Pick one very close to you and not overly intense:

• 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar (iconic Empire State Building views, chill atmosphere)
• The Skylark (classy, not rowdy, views of Times Square area)

(Your son & daughter-in-law can join; minors allowed in early evening at some rooftops — 230 Fifth usually allows 14-year-olds before 8pm.)

Dinner Options

• Bea (cozy, great cocktails, American comfort food)
• Totto Ramen (popular but not overly touristy)

                                    

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DAY 2 — Wednesday, April 16 (Hamilton Day!)

Keep the day flexible so you’re rested for Hamilton.

Early Morning — Central Park Solo Walk

Your early start is perfect.

Enter at Columbus Circle, wander to:

• The Mall
• Bethesda Terrace
• Bow Bridge
• Conservatory Water (tiny sailboats in summer)
  Optional non-touristy add-on: the Hallett Nature Sanctuary — quiet, forest-like area.

Late Morning — Museum Time

Choose one depending on what you prefer:

1. The Met (classic, huge)

Beautiful art, historic rooms, Egyptian temple.

2. The Museum of Natural History (grandson-friendly)

Dinosaurs, space, giant whale.

3. The Whitney Museum (modern art + rooftop views)

Near the High Line.

Lunch Near Your Museum Choice

• Upper East Side: Pastrami Queen (excellent but simple)
• Natural History area: Jacob’s Pickles (comfort food)
• Whitney/Chelsea: Bubby’s (NYC pancakes!)

Afternoon Rest / Light Exploring

Because your evening show is big, keep it simple:

• Wander 5th Avenue shops
• Grab a pastry at Lady M (famous mille crêpe cake)
• Return to hotel to relax, freshen up

Evening — HAMILTON (7 PM or 8 PM depending on date)

Head to the Richard Rodgers Theatre early.

Grab dinner near the theatre beforehand:

• Carmine’s (family-style Italian)
• Junior’s (NYC cheesecake!)
• Bond 45 (right on Broadway)

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DAY 3 — Thursday, April 17

This is your big sightseeing day for Statue of Liberty and Jersey Shore.

Option A (Best): Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island + Jersey Shore sunset

This is doable but requires timing.

Early Morning — Statue of Liberty Ferry (8:30–9:00 AM)

Leave from Battery Park (subway: 1 train to South Ferry).

Book the Pedestal or Crown tickets if you want a more immersive experience.

(Optional)

 Ellis Island

If your group likes history, spend 60 minutes here.

Lunch in Lower Manhattan

• Eataly Downtown (Italian)
• Leo’s Bagels (local favorite)

Afternoon — Jersey Shore (Non-Touristy Treat)

You mentioned you want to see Jersey Shore.

Closest + easiest access from NYC:

Hoboken, NJ

 (Absolutely gorgeous waterfront + very local)

• PATH train from World Trade Center
• 10 minutes travel
• Stroll down the Hoboken waterfront — amazing Manhattan skyline views
• Non-touristy, relaxing, perfect for your age and pace

Grab a snack:

• Carlo’s Bakery (Cake Boss — touristy but fun)
• Blue Eyes (waterfront Italian, beautiful views)

Dinner back in NYC

• Artichoke Basille’s Pizza
• OBAO (Thai/Vietnamese near Theatre District)

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DAY 4 — Friday, April 18

Last full morning to explore, shop, wander.

A

Early Morning — Solo Walk on the Waterfront + Pier 84

Take the short walk to Hudson River Greenway.

Peaceful, breezy, locals walking dogs and running.

Great sunrise views.

Late Morning — Non-Touristy Option

Choose one:

1. Roosevelt Island Tram

Ride the aerial tram over the river — gorgeous views, zero crowds.

Walk around the island or visit the lighthouse.

2. Greenwich Village wandering

Quiet streets, small coffee shops, bookstores.

Explore Bleecker Street, Washington Square Park.

3. Upper West Side

Calm, pretty streets, great bakeries.

Lunch (NYC Staples)

To get a few must-have foods checked off:

• NYC slice pizza — Joe’s Pizza
• Bagels — Ess-a-Bagel
• Hot dog — Gray’s Papaya (cheap and iconic)

Afternoon — Last-Minute Shopping + Souvenirs

• Rockefeller Center shops
• Macy’s Herald Square
• Times Square souvenirs for grandson

Evening (If time before departure)

• Relax in Bryant Park
• Light dinner at The Smith or Friedman’s

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NYC Must-Have Foods Checklist

Here are the essentials you’ll want to try at least once:

✔ NY-style slice (Joe’s Pizza)

✔ Bagel with cream cheese (Ess-a-Bagel or Zucker’s)

✔ Hot dog (Gray’s Papaya or Nathan’s)

✔ Cheesecake (Junior’s)

✔ Deli sandwich (Katz’s Deli — if time allows)

✔ Ramen or Asian fusion (NYC is fantastic for this)

✔ Italian pastry (Ferrara or Angelina Bakery)

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Non-Touristy Ideas (Easy Add-Ons)

• Hudson Yards Public Square (not crowded in mornings)
• Morgan Library (quiet, stunning)
• Walk Riverside Park (Upper West Side)
• Explore DUMBO early morning (Brooklyn)
• Go to a local bookstore: Strand or Housing Works
• Visit Chelsea art galleries (free)

The Grigsby Christmas Celebration

                                                                                   

Blake, Jessica and Hattie

Hattie and Brooks

Hattie and Max

Hattie’s gifts

Wesley and Michelle

                                          Christmas With My Grandbabies 🎄

Today was one of those days that fills your heart clear to the brim.

Around 2:00 this afternoon, Blake and Jessica Brooks came over with sweet little Hattie, along with Michelle, Wesley, Angel, Clifford, and Max. Any day I get to spend time with my grandchildren is a good day, and today was extra special.

Before everyone arrived, I took some time to get all the gifts sorted into little piles so I’d know exactly which presents belonged to which grandbaby. Luther and I were up early this morning—about 5:30 a.m.—doing some extra cleaning around the house. We straightened up the bathroom and gave the dining room and kitchen a good cleaning.

Now, I’m not really sure why we put so much effort into extra cleaning when we knew the house was about to be filled with noise, laughter, wrapping paper, and food from one end to the other. But at least it was nice and clean when everyone walked in—and that counts for something!

Around noon, Luther and I decided on our pizza order, and I ran to the store to grab drinks. We went with Pizza Hut, ordering five large pizzas along with some cheese sticks. Easy, simple, and perfect for a house full of kids.

It was so nice watching the kids play together, spending time with their cousins, and just enjoying being at Nana and Pawpaw’s house. I truly believe everyone was happy with their gifts, but even more than that, I was grateful that Michelle brought the kids over so we could all be together.

I really wish I could spend more time with Michelle and the kids, but life has a way of getting busy and pulling us in different directions. Because of that, every single minute I get with Clifford, Max, Wesley, and Angel is something I treasure deeply. I am so grateful and so blessed to have them.

One of my biggest gifts of all is something I’m already looking forward to—I’ll be going to New York City with Blake, Jessica, and Logan in April 2026, and I am beyond excited! Logan, their oldest, wasn’t able to come today since he was spending Christmas with his other grandparents, but I know we’ll have plenty of memories to make soon.

Christmas Day!

 

                                                           Christmas Day!

I’m so excited—it’s Christmas morning! I ended up getting up around 4:30 a.m., which honestly wasn’t part of the plan at all. But once I woke up, my mind was already racing with Christmas excitement. I decided to go ahead and move my presents to where I sit and move Luther’s presents to where he sits. I also made sure our stockings—already stuffed and ready—were placed right on top of our gift piles.

Even though I hadn’t planned on being up that early, I really wanted everything to be just right when we sat down to open gifts. There’s just something about having it all perfectly arranged that makes Christmas morning feel extra special.

Well, before I knew it, Mr. C came walking out of the bedroom and into the living room and asked, “Is it time for Christmas?” I couldn’t help but laugh and said, “Well… not yet—but we’re getting close!” So we got dressed, settled into the living room, watched a little TV, and then finally decided it was officially time to open presents.

Mr. C was spoiled this year. He got a bottle of Stetson cologne, a hoodie, a shirt, two pairs of sweat bottoms, his John Deere mower deck repair kit, a pair of binoculars, sweet treats, and even a few kitchen gadgets. He was smiling the whole time, which always makes my heart happy.

And let me tell you—he did so good shopping for me. He surprised me with a new printer for the computer, three shirts, brown shoes, brown pants, brown earrings, and a brown purse (clearly he knows my style). He also gave me Elizabeth Taylor Sparkling White Diamonds perfume and Elizabeth Taylor Passion perfume, plus the sweetest necklace—a heart with my initial K on it. My stocking was filled with fun little goodies too.

We both agreed we were very happy with what we gave each other. I always feel so blessed, no matter the gifts, because it’s truly the thought and love behind them that matter most.

After gifts, we made breakfast together and just enjoyed the slow, quiet start to Christmas Day. Those calm mornings are becoming more and more precious to me.

Around 7:30-ish, Brody texted and asked if we were coming over to see what Santa brought the kids. Of course, we headed right over. The boys were beyond excited. Lane absolutely loved his trampoline from Santa, and Landon was completely into the dragons he received. Sophie, being the baby, was still asleep—but I already know she’s going to love her Santa toys just as much.

After spending a couple of hours there, we headed back home, watched a Christmas movie, and caught up on the TV series we watch regularly. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Overall, Christmas Day was relaxing, quiet, and full of love. It really reminded me that home is where your heart is. I am so incredibly blessed to have Luther in my life—he truly completes me.

Now it’s time to mentally prepare for going back to work tomorrow. I already know it’s going to be crazy busy since we were closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You’d think I’d be used to the nonstop ringing phones after a holiday by now—but here we go! Hopefully, I’ll get some saves!

I hope each and every one of you had a blessed and wonderful Christmas. Thank you so much for reading my blog. I truly appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to spend a few moments here with me.