A Day in New York City – Summer Series

The jet skiers soared high over the waves barely missing the stern of the speedy ferry arriving at the dock. Warm summer evenings in DUMBO, Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, can be quite entertaining as well as breathtaking and scenic.

I have decided that this summer I would like to visit Manhattan at least 5 times. A matinee and dinner is the way to go for a date in New York City.

After the death of my husband I find that forcing myself to go out and embrace new experiences helps me to keep moving forward. Days hit me where I realize I am a widow and can barely do what is required in my daily life. I am getting used to having those days, but I won’t live like that every day. Moving forward has always been my motto and I need to keep going there.

My summer plan is to venture into nearby NYC as a solo day explorer, finding walks, museums, shops, shows and more cool stuff on my own. I’ll also share some fun happy hour or dining spots I find with my special friend when he gets off from work!

While I am fine with the idea of exploring as a solo woman traveler, and have some fun plans for the summer, some days are best shared.

Recently we drove the one hour from where we live into “The City” to see a Broadway show. We’ve had tickets for this musical since Christmas.

Parking on 45th Street one hour before showtime gave us a chance to walk around the block and get a slice of New York pizza before the show.

We saw “Come From Away”. What a well done theatrical performance of the people from the small town of Gander during the events of 9/11.

38 planes landed in Newfoundland, Canada and the local townspeople of 9000 embraced the 7000 stranded souls and fed and housed them.

We laughed. We cried.

The characters in the show portrayed real people from the town and the planes.

Anyone who lived through 9/11, especially those of us who live in or near New York City, can appreciate the story and the humanity we all felt toward one another after that tragedy.

So after wiping our tears, we drove over the Brooklyn Bridge to a fabulous little restaurant called the “River Cafe”.

Located on a floating barge in the East River featuring one of the best views of New York City, River Cafe is the perfect place to fall in love.

We arrived for pre dinner drinks and watched the crazy jet skiers zip over the ferry wakes.

Such a fancy place. Even my purse got a chair.

For an appetizer, I finally tried steak tartare. Raw beef and a raw egg and some more stuff.  I had actually prepared it while training as a waitress in a posh restaurant in Aspen but never tried it. It’s pretty good.

Steak Tartare The River Cafe Brooklyn

Dinner was great but the dessert shaped like the Brooklyn Bridge we were dining under was the best!

River Cafe Brooklyn Bridge dessert

After dinner we strolled next door to Brooklyn Bridge Park which has ferry service that reaches all over the city.

Brooklyn BridgeFreedom Tower New YorkRiver Cafe BrooklynRiver Cafe Brooklyn New YorkBrooklyn Bridge

If all the days in my exploring New York summer series are this much fun I am going to have an amazing summer!! A New York City night out on the town.

P.S. Any suggestions where to go next?

P.P.S.  Let me know if you want to do a New York City Adventure. I’m in!

New York City couples date show and dinner

BROOKLYN BRIDGE AND RIVER CAFE AND BROADWAY SHOW

runawaywidow

At the age of 51 I unexpectedly became a widow. For the first 6 months after my husband died, I was in shock and numb. I journaled and with the help of friends, family and therapists was able to get back to living my old life, even if it is now very different. Before I was married, I had spent a semester in England and backpacked around Europe. My husband and I moved from New York to California for 8 years and started a family. Travelling took a back seat to raising a family and going to work everyday. Since the loss of my husband I have visited a lot of places with family and friends and took a solo trip to Thailand. I am enjoying sharing my stories and adventures as well as some of my insights to how I am traveling the path of being a widow. I hope to share my stories and adventures as well as some thoughts on being a middle aged widow. While I have some great experiences traveling to Thailand and cruising to Central America, some of my adventures involve a trip to see a Broadway show in nearby Manhattan and a shopping trip at Bed, Bath and Beyond. If I can inspire anyone to go out and continue to live a good life that would be my greatest accomplishment.

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47 Responses

  1. liz says:

    The new Whitney and High line are a must! Whitney is free on Fri nights. A rooftop movie this summer is on my list! Let me know if u are interested in joining me!

  2. Kelly MacKay says:

    Lovely visit. I would love to see the Come from Away production. And I need to walk the High line and central park.

    • runawaywidow says:

      Thanks. I have walked the High line and that was great. Really well thought out and designed. Central Park is fun too. Thanks for your comment.

  3. T. M. Brown says:

    Fabulous pictures and that River Cafe looks darling! I wish I had known about it when we lived up north. Glad you enjoyed your trip to NYC ~ it’s an amazing place to visit!

  4. Petrina says:

    So many things to see in NYC! Love that place and I enjoyed all your photos. Makes me miss it that much more!

  5. Christine says:

    This really hit home for me. I’m from NYC and I am a city girl at heart. I love NYC and so glad that you had a great visit. There’s so much to do in the city. I’ve got to see that play you saw. I was there during 9/11.

  6. Patricia G. says:

    NYC is an amazing and unique city! I am glad that you are getting to enjoy it with a special friend from work. The NYC bridge is an awesome structure!

  7. Musicals, dining and all in New York deffo my kind of day out. Been NYC alot too…Broadway is fab x

  8. Christine says:

    The river cafe looks so cute! I’m going to New York this fall!

  9. Shevoneese says:

    I’ve always travelled to New York and I’ve never visited the River Cafe. On my next trip, I have to visit. I am surprised that I haven’t been there in the years I’ve travelled there.

  10. Thanks for the suggestion! I go to NYC a lot for work, I will have to check some of these places out!

  11. meximoments says:

    New York is one of my favorite places! I can’t wait to take my daughter there to see it. You really captured some special spots … I need to add it to my list next time!

  12. Wow, thank you so much for sharing this, the highlight of your piece that genuinely interests me is the one about Come From Away. I really want to watch it to know more about 9/11.

  13. mary yowell says:

    First off I’m sorry for your loss. I am happy that your still pushing yourself to get out there! An secondly that dessert looks amazing!!

  14. Exploring my town and trying new things was incredibly helpful for me when I went through my divorce. I wish I knew more about New York City! I would happily provide insights into things to do. If/when I go to NYC, I will have to check in with you! 🙂

  15. cedar51 says:

    love the photos of your “exploration” thanks…

  16. Indrani says:

    I admire how you are taking the new phase of your life bravely. I am yet to see Come from Away. River Cafe seems like a great place to unwind.

  17. Quills says:

    New York Is definitely my fav. You should go over to Brooklyn. Brunch is really good over there. Try SOCO for Brunch.

  18. lucicoo says:

    First, that cheesecake looks amazing. ” I haven’t heard of that play, it sounds really interesting.

  19. kanishka says:

    I am loving the pictures especially the food! hehe I really enjoy the ferry rides and with such amazing sightings it sure seems wonderful

  20. Pooja says:

    I like the close-up images and the fun, casual vibe of your trip. There’s a sense of fun and intimacy in your post 🙂

  21. wonkabar23 says:

    I mean, i would go to NYC for that Bridge desert alone!

    Mike Reid

  22. We am so sorry for your loss. What an inspiration to get out there and travel! Thank you for sharing. We are headed to New York this fall and we are going for that bridge dessert for sure!

  1. June 18, 2021

    […] A Day in New York City […]

  2. July 26, 2022

    […] of Brooklyn. When we were dating, Pete and I went to a Broadway show and then out to dinner at the River Cafe which sits under the Brooklyn Bridge floating on a barge in the East River. The dress code is men […]

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