My Baby Girl is 21

How fast do these years fly by? I am old enough to have a 21 year old? oh yes I am. As a late starter she is our only child and as been lucky enough to experience the world with us. Travel certainly does not faze her, so like mother like daughter we decided to celebrate her Birthday spending time together doing what we love. Travel and SHOPPING. She is an independent young lady with her own job so gifts were not something she wanted. As busy as we both are time together was our gift to each other. So off to New York we went.

This was a first for both of us and I was well out of my comfort zone, but wow what a city. A 3 night stay in the Riu Plaza Times Square was just not enough an extra night would have given us the chance to see probably the same things but at a slower pace. Some days we did 26000 steps. The Hotel was perfect for us, just 1 block away from Times Square, which is not a square but a long oblong road and just as expected Crazy!

We had no sort of plan just did what we fancied on the day but just made sure we saw all of the major sights. A hop on hop off bus tour enabled us to get our bearings on the first day and we went from there. The Rockefeller Plaza was amazing and the iconic area where the Christmas tree and ice rink stand in winter was transformed into a exclusive garden and dining area, exclusive meaning omg expensive but was really pretty and a lovely place to wander around. We booked a time to go up the tower which went without a hitch not too long of a wait and the story of the building of the tower is explained whilst going up in the lift. Can you imagine the view from up there? AMAZING !!!!

One of the highlights for both of us was the Sunset Harbour Cruise that took in the whole of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. We departed around 7 so still daylight but by the time we reached the Brooklyn Bridge it was just getting dark and the city was starting to sparkle. I would recommend this trip as you see so much.

Shopping well what can I say? loads of shops from high end designer to the usual tacky gifts. We started on Fifth Avenue around 11 am and were still going strong at 1030 pm, my word that girl has staying power. Obviously a refreshment break was taken but once her mind is set she was off again.

We chose the wrong time to go up the Empire State as it was just coming up to sunset and once up there was so crowded we could not see a thing so better planning needed for that one. Grand Central Station was magical and again I could see iconic film sets and beautiful buildings. Loved it.

We had to have a cocktail in the Oyster Bar again a really beautiful part of the station. It was a Saturday morning and it seemed alot of the locals met there for brunch as had a really good vibe. Massive plates of oysters were everywhere along with all sorts of fish.

Never had time for a show so we will return. Central Park was only peeped at as the rain stopped play that afternoon so we went inside, can you guess where ?

For me the only thing that would have made it better would have been if I had been departing from one of New York’s three cruise terminals on a Caribbean or New England/Canadian cruise. All 3 ports are within a few miles of the major attractions and I cannot wait to book a pre cruise stay for my next client as I have so much to tell them.


About Me

My name is Nicola Milligan and I am lucky to be living in the beautiful Market Town of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, with its historic castle and haunting tales of Mother Shipton. I have a husband Stewart and a 16 year old daughter who are both cruise fanatics and a Cocker…

Read more
Thank you for subscribing!