I’ve been to New York many times, so when my mom and I talked about going to New York for a mother/daughter trip, neither of us were interested in sight-seeing the usual Big Apple highlights.
Instead, I put together an itinerary that would let us experience a few things in NYC that we haven’t yet done, but mostly branch out a little bit and experience New York beyond Manhattan.
FRIDAY: NYC Favorites
- Brunch: Loeb Boathouse on the Lake in Central Park. After brunch, go for a row (boats are $15 an hour; $20 cash deposit required).Loeb Boathouse on the Lake in Central Park. Beautiful view and Rowboat rentals. http://www.thecentralparkboathouse.com/index.php
- Afternoon Cocktail: Tavern on the Green at 67th Street and Central Park West. Oval indoor bar and fireplace as well as outdoor bar with glowing lanterns.
- + Shopping (of course)
- Dinner: Timna Top Rated Israeli Restaurant
SATURDAY: Day in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
- 9 AM: Low-key breakfast at El Beit (158 Bedford Ave between North 8th and 9th Sts, 718-302-1810). Best spot: communal wooden table on the backyard patio.
- 11AM Smorgasburg – Outdoor Epicurean Extravaganza Street Festival that runs April – November on Saturdays in Williamsburg’s East River State Park. Opens 11AM.
- 1 PM Bedford Avenue Neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, anchored by the Bedford Mini-Mall (218 Bedford Ave between North 4th and 5th Sts)
- Catbird (219 Bedford Ave between North 4th and 5th Sts; 718-599-3457, catbirdnyc.com), Jewelry from local independent designers
- 4PM Visit and Tour The Brooklyn Brewery, a local institution that’s helped reinvent the beer industry in Brooklyn.
- Optional: Take a cooking class at Brooklyn Kitchen.
- 5PM The Green Spa at 8804 Third Avenue, Bay Ridge. A very Brooklyn experience: on Saturdays and Sundays it offers an extended wine, champagne and beer menu in its organic garden.
- 8 PM: Dinner + Catch a show on Broadway
SUNDAY: Wine Tasting on Long Island
- 9AM Breakfast
- 10:30AM Drive to Long Island
- Long Island North Fork Wine Tour – Drive Time: 1 hour, 40 min
- Jamesport Vineyards. A wood-shingled, circa-1850 barn with a modern winery and tasting room. A casual and friendly place with knowledgeable pourers.
- Main Rd., Jamesport, NY, USA. PHONE: 631/722-5256. COST: Tasting $4. OPEN: Daily 10-6, tours by appointment.
- Martha Clara Vineyards. Once a roadside farm stand, now a large, barn-style summer tasting room and patio as well as a more intimate winter tasting room. Pet goats, live music, and antique-carriage tours pulled by resident Clydesdales make it feel quite farm-y.
- 6025 Sound Ave., Jamesport, NY, USA. PHONE: 631/298-0075. COST: Tasting $3, tour $4. OPEN: Weekdays and Sun. 11-5:30, Sat. 11-6.
- Lenz Winery. An enclosed courtyard surrounded by old vines leads into an old barn which is now the tasting room.
- Main Rd. west of Peconic La., Peconic, NY, USA. PHONE: 631/734-6010. COST: Tasting fees vary, tour free. OPEN: Tastings daily 10-6, tours by appointment.
- Raphael. Spanish mission-style winery, quite lavish and known for producing high end merlot, is worth a visit on its own.
- 39390 Main Rd., Peconic, NY, USA. PHONE: 631/765-1100. COST: Tasting $8, tour $10. OPEN: Daily noon-5.
- (Southold Area) Corey Creek Vineyards. A winding road leads you to this chalet-like tasting house. It has a large deck and fantastic views of the vineyard.
- 45470 Main Rd., Southold, NY, USA. PHONE: 631/765-4168. COST: Tasting $5. OPEN: Tastings weekdays 11-5, weekends 11-6.
- Jamesport Vineyards. A wood-shingled, circa-1850 barn with a modern winery and tasting room. A casual and friendly place with knowledgeable pourers.
PM: Fly Home
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