Friday 5: 5 Little Things I'm Looking Forward To On Our Next NYC Visit

5 Little Things I'm Looking Forward To

On Our Next NYC Visit

After 40 plus years of visits to The Big Apple, I've pretty much done all of the touristy things, and they don't really interest me too much anymore, either. But that doesn't mean I don't get excited for every trip I make. Now, it's the little things that bring me joy beyond my main reason for going - seeing shows! Here are 5 that I'm looking forward to for my upcoming visit:

People watching at the Marriott Marquis

I get a kick out of (and a good bit of nostalgia, too) watching people coming and going in the theater district. Watching tourists be tourists is fun. The Marriott Marquis offers a couple of great spots to do just that. There's the 8th Floor lobby with tons of seating to watch guests check in, check out and wait. It's amazing to just sit and listen. Plans for the day, talking about a show they are seeing, trying to figure out how to get there... and many times in a variety of languages! (Of course, it's the nicest place in the area to, uh, refresh... IYKYK!) If the weather's nice, or if it's raining, the breezeway connecting 45th and 46th Streets is also great for people watching. Here's also a great place to see folks lined up to see Hamilton. The excitement is palpable in these patrons, young and old. I especially get a smile out of it when I zero in on a kid who would normally NOT be caught dead at a musical, and is trying with everything they have not to show any signs of excitement. But it is written all over them despite their best efforts.

Checking out the new One Shubert Alley

Sure the tiny closet that is the original is still there, nestled between the stage doors of the Booth and Shubert, and I can remember when that was the only Broadway-specific shop around. Now there are others (and some have come and gone, too), including a bigger one now on Broadway next to the Winter Garden. We will have to stop by and check it out. It'll be nice to have more space to move!

Chicken soup at the Carnegie Diner

Not to be confused with the Carnegie Deli, the Diner is on 8th Avenue, near Wicked/Just in Time on 50th, and Chicago/The Book of Mormon on 49th. We love to go there and sit at the bar and eat. They mix a hell of a drink - heavy pours all around, and the food is really good, with huge portions. But it is their chicken soup that has made it a regular stop for us. Flavorful broth, lots of chicken and veggie chunks and rice comes together in the perfect comfort food, and served with a crusty bread perfect for dipping. We end the visit with a delicious dessert (there are lots to choose from), and our wallets aren't completely empty, either! Highly recommend!

Grabbing a drink at a local bar

Speaking of good drinks and people watching, there are several area bars we like going to for a night cap. This trip The Glass House Tavern (47th Street, next to Six) and Hurley's (next door to the Longacre Theatre and across the street from Hadestown) are the likely candidates and we like them both. The drinks are great, the clientele is a fun mix of theatergoers and locals - always a good sign. And both are great places to see show folk, too!

Revisiting New World Stages

Man, time flies! We haven't been to a show in the New World Stages complex in years. I get a kick out of the urban vibe of the place. It's a cross between an art gallery and a Cineplex. What is fun is the community feeling one gets down there underground and away from the midtown hustle bustle, with everyone there with the same purpose: seeing a show. Seeing Heathers there will have a special nostalgia since we saw the original production there over a decade ago.

What are the "little things" you like to do when you make a theater trip into the city? Let us know!