There are many places of worship worth visiting in or around London, but most recently we visited St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Both are so much more than just houses of worship and if you have time I would highly recommend trying to fit both in.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
In my generation St. Paul’s is probably most famous for having been the location where Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer, but there has been a cathedral dedicated to St. Paul in its current spot for 1,400 years! If you’re an English history lover, like me, you’ll also be interested to know that theirs was the first wedding of an heir to the throne to take place in St. Paul’s in 480 years, following the marriage of Prince Arthur to Catherine of Aragon in 1501. This is also the location Mary Poppins is singing about in the song Feed The Birds in the movie Mary Poppins! Information about the current building from the official website:
The present Cathedral, the masterpiece of Britain’s most famous architect Sir Christopher Wren, is at least the fourth to have stood on the site. It was built between 1675 and 1710, after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, and services began in 1697.
This was the first Cathedral to be built after the English Reformation in the sixteenth-century, when Henry VIII removed the Church of England from the jurisdiction of the Pope and the Crown took control of the life of the church.
There are many things to see and discover inside St. Paul’s and my boys were both very interested, however I think my older son was the more engaged of the two. Sightseeing times are between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm and both guided and audio tours are available. We went with the self guided audio tour.
The Whispering Gallery Photo Credit: Wikipedia
It seems like Simon and I climbed just about every staircase in Europe the summer of 2013 and St. Paul’s many staircases were no exception! There are three galleries to visit in the dome, the Whispering Gallery which is 257 steps up from the cathedral floor and is on the interior of the dome. If you whisper into the wall your voice can be heard clear on the other side of the gallery, hence the name!
Next is the Stone Gallery which is on the outside of the dome and is 376 steps up from the cathedral floor. Finally after climbing 528 steps you’ll reach the Golden Gallery! If you make it to the top you won’t be disappointed because the panoramic views of London are spectactular!
We also visited the underground crypt where many famous people have been laid to rest, the Duke of Wellington, Lord Nelson and the architect of St. Paul’s, Christopher Wren, are just a few. Also located in the Crypt is the St. Paul’s cafe which serves lunch as well as tea and snacks. You’ll find a loo down here as well.
The West Front
St. Paul’s with Iconic Double Decker Busses
The Stone Gallery
Beautiful Views from the Golden Gallery
The Shard
The London Eye
85 meters up!
Westminster Abbey
Photo Credit: J-Ronn
Located near Big Ben and the House of Parliament Westminster Abbey was founded in 960 and with that much history behind it, it is definitely worth a visit! It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Every coronation since 1066 has taken place here as well as sixteen royal weddings, most recently the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. There are 3,300 people buried or commemorated at Westminster Abbey, many of them among the most significant in England’s history.
Kings, queens, statesmen and soldiers; poets, priests, heroes and villains – the Abbey is a must-see living pageant of British history. Every year Westminster Abbey welcomes over one million visitors who want to explore this wonderful 700-year-old building. Thousands more join us for worship at our daily services. The Abbey is in the heart of London.
They offer audio guides in multiple languages, but on my last visit I paid an additional £5 to take the Verger guided tour. It was SO worth it! The tours last for about 90 minutes and include a tour of the Shrine (containing the tomb of Saint Edward the Confessor), the Royal Tombs, Poets’ Corner, the Cloisters and the Nave. Many of these highlights aren’t available on the audio or self guided tour. Tour times vary and the number of people is limited, so you’ll need to ask at the ticket counter. Sadly most of my personal photos of the outside were lost a few years ago, but I still have these few selfies and I scanned a few from way back. Maybe I’ll need to go back and take some new ones…
There are so many people buried here it’s impossible to list them, but here is a short list of some that are of particular interest to me:
The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It’s incredibly Unique! It runs between West 34th Street and Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District between 10th and 12th avenues. It’s owned by the City of New York and operated by both Friends of the High Line and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.
The High Line
The High Line opened to the public in 2009, of course just after we moved away from the area, and is in my opinion a must-see when visiting New York! It offers great views, beautiful gardens, interesting art, tours, quite a few food choices, and many lovely places to sit and relax. Although it is elevated there are railings on both sides and the pathways are surprisingly wide. Considering that I am a self labeled Over Protective Mother these are very important points for me!!
The HIgh Line
I’ve visited both in the daytime and at night, its open until 11 pm in the summer time, and loved it both times! On this most recent visit we found ourselves in the park at night and even the boys, who I admit can occasionally get tired of our desire to wander endlessly, really enjoyed it! We started on the Gansevoort side as we were already in the area for dinner. A great way to add a little something to an already lovely evening and as a bonus we had great views of the Empire State Building which was all lit up for the 4th of July!
My idea of a perfect New York outing would be to start with a High Line journey at the West 34th Street entrance and then wander along until the very end of the line which puts you right at the entrance to the new Whitney Museum of American Art. If you’re not with kids I would also suggest that there are many lovely shops and galleries to visit in this area as well. Dinner or a drink at any of the wonderful restaurants or bars in the very trendy Meatpacking District would top it off!
Lots of lovely art along the lineHighline.org Image
There is no shortage of places to eat in The Big Apple and that’s why this post won’t be on the shorter side. ha! I read that there are upwards of 24,000 different choices! So there is literally something for every taste or dietary restriction you can think up and every budget too! A friend of mine who lives there once said she was attempting never eating at the same place twice and honestly with that many choices it’s possible!!
Sitting down to breakfast or a long lunch isn’t really a priority for me, especially if I have limited time in a city, so It’s usually coffee to go and pastries and milks for the kids. We save our big meals for dinner and during the day there are many options in New York for on the go eating!
Everywhere!
Pizza
New York is known for pizza and the first thing I like to do each visit is head out for a slice. No matter the time of day or night as there are many places that stay open late or even all night. The main choice is cheese, but if you must have toppings you can find them. Sausage would be my second choice. Many spots are small or just walk ups where you grab a slice to go and they are as little as $.99! Everyone has their way to eat it, but I like to fold mine in half so the grease can run out and then eat it like a sandwich. Be careful it’s SUPER hot!
Hot Dog Carts
Another option, and you’ll see them everywhere, are hot dog carts! At $4, it’s not the bargain price of a slice, but still not too shabby! Just like pizza there are certain expectations about how to eat your hot dog and putting ketchup on it is a New York no no, it’s not okay in Chicago either! If you don’t mind the possibility of being teased a bit I’ve noticed a lot of the carts are now offering ketchup along with the standard yellow mustard! A perfect lunch or snack between sights, just grab a dog and eat it on the go…
Flatiron District
Eataly
On our last night in town we ate at Eataly located just across the street from Madison Square Park and right next to the Flatiron Building. It’s a very unique place, which is a sort of farmers market meets Italian grocery store meets cafe with seven gourmet restaurants all throughout.
Each of the restaurants specialize in a certain food type and they are all sit down, so you can’t grab something from this place and that place and then meet in the middle. I’ve had the opportunity to try three of the restaurants. La Pizza & La Pasta, Il Pesce, and La Piazza. All three were incredible and I can’t wait to go back and try the other four places!
Cheese Market
Pasta etc!
Fresh Pasta!
The Butcher
Il Pesce
Il Pesce
La Pizza & La Pasta
La Piazza
La Piazza
Too short to stand at the counter…
I would keep in mind that because Eataly is incredibly popular it can be difficult to get a table, so it’s a good idea to arrive before you’re already famished and put your name in for a table. We decided to have appetizers at La Piazza, which offers first come first serve tables, while we waited. If you let them know your plans the servers from the different restaurant options work together to make sure you’re alerted when your table is ready. Nice!
Shake Shack
Shake Shack is located inside Madison Square Park and is famous for it’s burgers. Apparently the line can stretch around the entire park at lunchtime! Based on the smell I am definitely stopping here for a full meal on our next visit! We stopped here for frozen custard after Eataly and it was delicious. I just loved the atmosphere here. A beautiful park setting on a warm New York night made complete with twinkling lights overhead!
Meatpacking District
Cosmos!
The Standard Grill and the Standard Plaza are located in the Standard Hotel and both are great people watching spots! I’ve enjoyed multiple meals here including lunch, dinner, and drinks at the Grill bar.
Most recently the boys, Grammie and I enjoyed appetizers and wine in the Standard Plaza and it was a great spot to take a break from all those fun Meatpacking shops!
Mini Chefs
Valbella was one of our nicer choices this trip. and the perfect place to celebrate my birthday! The cuisine is Italian and both the service and the food were perfect! As a special treat the boys and I were invited to help the pastry chef prepare a birthday desert and it was so fun! Reservations are required.
Complimentary Appetizer
Filet on the bone
Scallops
Pastry Cream
Nice work!
The Gansevoort Market opened in October 2014, and is just around the corner from the Standard Hotel. While the restaurants I mentioned above are all on the higher end this market is much more reasonably priced. It’s basically a gourmet food court with many choices! Something for everyone! Some of us had crepes while others had pizza and other BBQ.
Curtis Kulig
There is a lovely seating area and its first come first serve. There are also decent restrooms here. Always good to know where their might be a place to stop, especially when traveling with the kids!
The Chelsea Market, also located in the Meatpacking district, and just across the street from the Google offices is a fantastic place to visit if you can just brave the crowds! It’s so popular! It is also home to the famous and very tasty Eleni’s Cookies! Here is the official description from their website.
A block long and a block wide and just a short walk from the Hudson River in the area of Manhattan known as the Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market has become in just fifteen years one of the greatest indoor food halls of the world, with more than thirty-five vendors purveying everything from soup to nuts, wine to coffee, cheese to cheesecake. Attracting 6 million national and international visitors annually, it is one of the most trafficked, and written-about, destinations of any kind in New York City. Chelsea Market is a neighborhood market with a global perspective.
Halloween Time
Amazing Pumpkins
Cool decor
Cookies to go!
Cookies for now…
SoHo
Balthazar is a traditional French bistro and it’s been around since 1997! The food was great as was the service! Keep in mind it’s very popular so reservations are a must.
The Balthazar Bakery is right next door and serves great sandwiches and dessert items! We stopped here a few days later while shopping and I had my favorite Jambon with butter on a baguette! To go of course!
Steak Frites
Jambon with Butter
The 50th Anniversary Dinner
Emoji Cookies
Dean & Deluca has been in this SoHo spot since 1977 and if you’ve never been you should definitely stop in for a peek around and a snack! They sell the best of the best from all around the city as well as fresh produce and some grocery items too! There are no tables, but there are some stand up counters or you can just eat while you wander around looking at all the wonderful food items!
NoHo District
Lafayette Grand Cafe and Bakery located on Lafayette and Great Jones streets is another French style restaurant. Corrie and I ate here and we really enjoyed the atmosphere, food and wine! Reservations are required.
Lower Eastside
Katz’s Delicatessen is a New York institution and has been around for 127 years! I highly recommend trying it at least once! It’s famous for its deli food as well as for being in the movie When Harry Met Sally. There are many things worth eating here, homemade hot dogs, coleslaw, the pickles and strangely even the cheeseburger, but the thing you go here for is the pastrami on rye!! It’s GIANT! If you’re not a big eater I suggest sharing. Mom and I shared and neither of us could finish our halves.
Pastrami on Rye
Don’t lose this ticket!
The walls are lined with photos. We sat by Thor!
Sammy’s Romanian is what I would call a real experience. And while we did enjoy ourselves quite a bit, I’m not sure it’s one I need to have again. The pros were that the skirt steak I had there was up there with some of the best I’ve ever eaten, The egg creams were big and frothy, the entertainment was super kooky but fun, and the people were friendly.
The cons were that it was overpriced, located in a smelly basement and unless you’re very hungry it’s too much food which we ended up having to throw out due to our staying in a hotel. It’s been around a VERY long time and there is definitely something to be said for that, but I’m not sure what it is.
Schmaltz in a syrup jar.
Making the Egg Creams
Lots of chocolate!
mmmm…
Grammie and Simon
Rare photo of all the guys!
The Backroom Bar is of course a place you’ll want to visit if you’re without the kids, but I highly recommend getting there if you can! Out for an after dinner walk around the Lower East Side we had no idea Tim had a destination in mind. When he disappeared down an old staircase into a dimly lit hallway or alley of sorts my parents and I weren’t sure what to do, so we just waited… a few moments later he came back and asked, “What are you waiting for, come on!”
The Backroom Bar
After walking a few steps and avoiding a few puddles you come to the other side where there is another staircase leading to a secret entrance complete with doorman and peephole. It all makes complete sense once you get inside, after all it was a speakeasy and it shouldn’t be easy to find! I had a French 75 and it was served in a dainty white teacup while Tim’s beer was served in a coffee mug. Even mom’s diet coke was served in a teacup! Here is the official about from their website.
The Back Room is one of only two speakeasies in New York City that operated during Prohibition and is still in existence today. It is a timeless example of the underbelly of New York past. The original 1920’s speakeasy, known simply as “The Back of Ratner’s,” played host to many theater and movie actors of the “Roaring Twenties,” as well as famous gangsters of the era. These gangsters included Bugsy Siegel, Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky. They were known to use the space for “business meetings.”
Cheers!
Tribeca
We discovered Kaffe 1668 while wandering through Tribeca one afternoon. We only had time for a coffee, but they serve breakfast and lunch as well.
The vibe and decor were great. I wish we would have had more time to explore the neighborhood as there were a lot of neat shops and good looking restaurants. I would definitely stop in here again and they have multiple locations throughout the city.
Bonus: Hoboken, NJ
Now I know this isn’t exactly located in New York, but I just have to mention Benny Tudino’s located just across the river in Hoboken, New Jersey! Simon and I discovered it when wandering around one snowy day and it’s been our favorite ever since.
Benny Tudino’s
The slices are HUGE, fresh and cheap! They’re probably the equivalent to three slices anywhere else, and back when we first started going there in 2007 they were $1.75. The place has been around forever and it’s not fancy, but if you’re feeling a like a quick trip on the Path Train over to Hoboken, also home to the Cake Boss’s bakery, it’s definitely worth checking out!
Take me with you!
Would you like directions to all these fabulous places? Why not take me with you! you can download this and other fun hilarystyle articles using the GPSmyCity app!
New York is up there as one of the greatest museum cities in the world! The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim, The Whitney, the American Museum of Natural History and the list goes on and on. There are so many museums worth seeing that picking which ones to see during each visit is always a tough decision.
Temple of Dendur
On our last trip we visited The Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side, the new Whitney Museum in the Meat Packing District and the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. We had limited time so we choose to see highlights of each one.
The Guggenheim Museum
During a previous visit I also made a quick stop at the Guggenheim as it’s such an iconic building. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to go inside as I had only two full days in the city, but just seeing the incredible architecture from the outside is an experience. It’s a fabulous museum and if we’d had more time its high on my list!
While a person could spend hours or even days wandering inside The Metropolitan Museum of Art we had a long list of “must-sees” on this trip, so we picked a few highlights. We chose two of my personal favorites, The Temple of Dendur and The Costume Institute Exhibition. No matter how long I give myself I always wish I had more time…
Located inside the Egyptian exhibition is the Temple of Dendur gallery, which has floor to ceiling windows overlooking Central Park. The Temple dates from 10 B.C. and was given to the United States by Egypt. It has been in The Metropolitan Museum of Art since 1967. I still remember the first time I walked into the room where it is displayed.
Selfie with Auntie
There are many other wonderful things to see as well!
The tagline of this Blog is Travel, Fashion and Fun, so it shouldn’t be any surprise that my other favorite gallery to visit while at The Met is the Costume Institute. The exhibitions in this gallery are revolving and at times it is closed for new installations but we lucked out on this visit because it was open!
The exhibition we saw was called, China: Through the Looking Glass and it was SPECTACULAR! Everyone in our group loved this exhibit even my 6 year old and 12 year old boys. Most of the galleries didn’t allow photography so I don’t have many photos. If you find yourself in New York be sure to check and see if the Costume Institute is open. Here is the official museum text which explains the exhibit.
“This exhibition explores the impact of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. In this collaboration between The Costume Institute and the Department of Asian Art, high fashion is juxtaposed with Chinese costumes, paintings, porcelains, and other art, including films, to reveal enchanting reflections of Chinese imagery.”
Chinese thread for sale in the gift shop
“China” inspired
Entering the Exhibit
every room more amazing then the next…
AMAZING!
Yes Please!
media screens in the exhibit
The American Museum of Natural History, otherwise known as the Night at the Museum museum, was high on everyone’s list this trip and especially the kids! My Simon could spend days inside and wants to read every single word in every single exhibit! Of course we didn’t have time for that, so we settled on hitting some of the most popular permanent exhibits and two special exhibits. We let the kids choose which ones.
The truth is that while the special exhibitions can be fun to see, they do cost extra and the museum has so many amazing permanent exhibits it’s not really necessary. We ended up not really having enough time and felt like we were running through a bit. I would suggest no less than half a day at this museum.
This a big museum with a lot of twist and turns and it’s easy to get lost inside, even if you’ve been multiple times. Insert sheepish grin here… During this visit I discovered their fantastic app called Explorer! It’s great for not only giving you insight into each exhibit, but also guides you to each location. Once we downloaded the app we walked right to everything with no problem! We decided to try and locate some of the items from the Night at the Museum movies and found out the museum offers a Night at the Museum Tour that looks like fun. We found “Rexie”, the whale and squid and possibly “Dexter” the monkey!
The subway goes right to the American Museum of Natural History and as I mentioned in my New York! Overview! post the stations often reflect the area around where they are located. This one has so much incredible art and even fossils! The minute you get off the train you’re excited to see what’s next!
The Main Hall on Fl. 2
cute!
1,400 years of history!
Dexter?
Subway art
Hall of Ocean Life
Life at the Limits Exhibit
The Whitney Museum of American Art is located in the Meat Packing District, and the entrance to the building is located just at the end of the fabulous High Line Park, which would be a perfect end or beginning to your visit at the Whitney!
Can you believe this amazing photograph is really a DRAWING!
The kids and Tim spent quite a few hours there with friends while mom and I went shopping at some of the nearby stores. Priorities, right?! We joined them at the end just before the museum closed and I must admit I’m anxious to get back and see the rest. I think it will be my first stop on our next NY visit! The photo is of a piece by artist Chuck Close and it’s just one of the many amazing art pieces in this museum. The Whitney is open until 10 pm on weekends during the summer and it’s such a beautiful setting I think I would like to start my visit around 5pm and end it watching the sunset from one of the museum’s balconies! There are also some great spots to eat in the Meat Packing District, but I’ll save that for another post…
One of the absolute best cities in the world! Every time I start thinking that maybe I’m tired of it or that it’s lost its charm I go back for another visit and fall in love all over again!
Icons of New York. Grand Central, The Chrysler Building and a hot dog stand!
I’ve been visiting New York since I was 17 and even lived 30 minutes away for a full year and although I have my favorite go to places it never fails to amaze me how this city can feel so new and like home all at the same time. The sights, sounds, smells I love it all!
This particular trip was a special occasion as we went with our extended family to celebrate my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary! I thought it might be fun if everyone wrote down their top 5 New York “must-sees” and we would go from there. Suddenly five full days, one evening, and a half day didn’t seem like much time at all! How would we fit it all in!? Although we didn’t get to everything on the list we did get quite a lot accomplished!
We went Uptown, Downtown and Midtown. We went to the Lower East Side, the Upper West Side and everywhere in between. We saw the American Museum of Natural History, the Central Park Zoo, The Whitney Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Neue Gallery. We shopped and ate in the Meatpacking District, SoHo, Chelsea and the Lower East Side. We ate pizza and saw a Broadway show in Times Square! We took two boat rides and visited both Liberty Island and Ellis Island! We walked the High Line and wandered Central Park. Some of us walked across the Brooklyn Bridge while others visited the 911 Memorial. It was a whirlwind of a trip and a fabulous time!
Here are some of my thoughts about getting here and around.
Arrival
When traveling to New York there are three different airports to choose from. Newark, JFK and LaGuardia. JFK is about an hour out from Manhattan and the others are about 30 – 40 minutes. There are many ways to get into the city from each airport. I find the easiest way is to just jump in a taxi, but it’s not the least expensive. Their are shuttle busses with round trip fares available and limousines too.
Getting around in Manhattan
Taxi! Uber, Subway, and walking… There are many ways to get around the island of Manhattan and all are good. If you ask my little guy he’ll choose TAXI! every time. He’s the only almost 7 year old I know who has been hailing cabs since he was three years old! He’s constantly putting his hand up and waving them down. Thankfully, they don’t seem to stop for small children, either that or they just don’t see him down there. 😉
Taxi!
Just like in the movies you can look down the street and you will see a literal sea of yellow cabs. The only problem is getting one to stop! You’ll notice there is a light on the top of the cabs. The trick is figuring out what the different light combinations mean. Here are some helpful hints:
When just the center is lit highlighting the medallion number the cab is available.
When the medallion number and the side lamps are lit the cab is off duty.
When the lights are dark it means the cab has a fare already.
It can be especially difficult if you’re trying to hail a taxi in the rain, late at night or when an event has just gotten out.
Uber
During my October visit we used Uber quite a bit and often found it easier and more reliable then standing around trying to hail a taxi. I suppose it depends on where you are and what time of day. You’ll need to download the Uber app before you can use it. Once you’re all set up it’s as simple as “calling” the car. No need to pull out your wallet or figure out the tip.
Subway
This past visit we all purchased 7 day unlimited ride Metro cards for $31 each and that worked great as well. I downloaded the MTA Subway App and it’s fantastic for route planning and finding out about any changes or outages at the different stations. I entered in our destination and current location and my Apple Map would then switch me directly to the MTA Subway app with directions for which stations and detailed instructions. The subways, can be HOT, loud, and crowded. However, they are surprisingly clean in both the stations and the cars themselves.
All of the subway stations are unique and a lot of them have wonderful art on the walls. You’ll often find people singing and playing instruments in the subways as well. Sometimes you’ll find people dancing on the subway cars and we saw quite a few people panhandling while riding. You might find that taking the local train during rush hour is a better choice than the express. Especially if you’re traveling with kids.
Walking
If it’s not too brutally hot or too bitterly cold there is always the option of walking from place to place! There is no street in NYC that doesn’t have something of interest on it and often I’ll find that I’ve walked miles before I even realize it.
Hotels
My past two visits found me staying in Midtown. This wouldn’t be my first choice of neighborhood, but it worked for our group. I’ve also stayed at the SoHo Grand and it was lovely, but the rooms are very small. Most New York hotel rooms are and if you’re traveling with a family you’ll want to make sure that the room offers two beds.
This most recent trip we stayed at the Grand Hyatt on 42nd and Park and overall it was really nice. It’s located within walking distance to both Rockefeller Center and Times Square and is attached to Grand Central Station, so it’s easy to get everywhere! There is a cute little convenience spot called The Market in the lobby where you can pick up snacks, drinks and most importantly coffee!
The Tower of London is my must not miss of all the places in this post. It might be my must not miss pick for all of London! It has something for everyone and is very family friendly. It’s been around since 1066 and is still in use today! I am absolutely fascinated by the idea that a lot of these buildings have been in constant use for 1000 + years!! WOW! There are many exhibits in the different buildings and the restaurants here have quite good food! Think fish & chips, roast beef, fresh scones, kid friendly food and even wine and beer.
You’ll probably recognize The Yeoman Warders when you see them as they’re a very iconic symbol of England and there is even a photo of one welcoming you to London in the airport! They’ve been guarding the Tower since Edward IV’s time! Their history is quite fascinating and they give free guided tours of The Tower in a very family friendly and funny style!
The Queen keeps the Crown Jewels here and even though they are still in regular use there is a very nice exhibit which displays them for public view. Often the lines for this exhibit can be quite long, but if you’ve never been I highly recommend it. There are two ways to view. The first is via a moving sidewalk that you just stand on and it moves you slowly by each display case and then on into another room filled with various items like plates, goblets and other types of jewelry. The second room doesn’t have the moving platform so you can wander around at your leisure. The second is via a raised platform on just the other side of the display cases with more detailed information printed out and displayed in front of each case. You’re a little further away but you can take your time. Both times we’ve visited we’ve gone through twice and done both, but we’ve never done this in high season, so I’m not sure how it would be with large crowds. My older son and I both love this exhibit!
Did you know that for 600 years the Tower of London was a zoo?! Apparently past kings and queens needed a place to keep the exotic animals gifted to them from other monarchs around the world. There is a great exhibit here showcasing the different types of animals that lived here including a polar bear who lived in the moat and fished in the River Thames! There are super cool wire replicas of the animals throughout the grounds!
The Tower is also where they used to mint the kings money and there is a fairly recent exhibit. My boys were divided in their interest on this exhibit.
The first time we visited The Tower Simon was afraid to visit what is called The Bloody Tower, but on a return visit he decided he was brave enough to go in and discovered that it wasn’t really as scary as the name implies. Of course we are safe in the 21st century! This is where The Princes in the Tower disappeared/were murdered after being imprisoned here and there is a quite good exhibit offering many theories about what happened to them, but in the end it asks you to decide.
There are so many things to see here I could go on and on! I would allow at least half a day to visit and maybe longer in the summer. This is the place where Anne Boleyn (Henry VIII’s second wife) famously lost her head and she is buried in the chapel here. If you’re interested in what it was like to go to war 500 + years ago there is an entire exhibit dedicated to arms and armor. Ever wonder what plumbing was like hundreds of years ago? You can see what it was like to use the toilet way back when and there are rooms decorated with period furniture too!
We always visit the Tower when in London and in fact it was my pick for a birthday activity one year! There is no water in the moat and often they host activities in the summer months. We had a chance to shoot a bow and arrow and wow it’s much harder than it looks!
Last year in honor of 100 years since the start of WWI there was an incredible display of ceramic poppies dedicated to those who lost their lives which I would have loved to have seen in person. There was one poppy “planted” for each life lost. This photo is provided by the Historic Royal Palaces website as was the photos of the Yeoman Warders.
If you want to learn about a large span of english history with your family (or on your own) in a fun, interactive and inviting way this is the place to do it!
View of the Tower from the rivers edge.
Traitors Gate
This was the toilet!
Archery in the moat
Changing of the Guard
Memorial to those who, GULP, lost their heads
Window View
Replica of Lions that once lived at The Tower
Elephants
The polar bear who swam in the moat
The Armory Exhibit from our 2006 visit
2006
View of the Tower Bridge from the T owed of London 2006
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is another great place to visit, and It’s celebrating its 500th anniversary this year! It’s located a bit outside of the city so if you have very limited time you might not want to make the trip. But I highly recommend it! If you do decide to go you can there via train or by boat! We went in the winter and took the train.
It was the favorite residence of King Henry VIII and I especially enjoyed visiting the hall where he presided over his court! Unfortunately I lost a lot of my personal photos a few years ago, so these photos are courtesy of the Historic Royal Palaces website which is a fantastic reference.
Like most of the royal residences it’s very family friendly and there are people dressed in period costume performing and showcasing what life was like when this palace was still in use. Because this is the 500th anniversary I am sure there will be many spectacular activities and events taking place all year long!
The gardens here are spectacular and worth seeing all on their own. They include a hedge maze which dates back to the 1600s! It’s fun to try and get to the center and harder than we thought it would be!
Searching for the center
Is it this way?
We found it!
Buckingham Palace
I was fortunate enough to visit Buckingham Palace during Christmas time and it was spectacular! I highly recommend it but would suggest that younger kids might be bored. Every now and again they offer special tours and this was one! For five weeks they offered two tours a day with 30 people per tour. It seemed very private. We were the only ones there in this 700+ room palace! We were able to walk through around 20 rooms and got to see everything up close and personal. No velvet ropes keeping us back from anything and nothing removed to accommodate the thousands of visitors which trample through every summer. We entered through a side door in the palace wall and it was all very exciting!
The palace has been largely untouched since Queen Victoria lived there and yet everything is in perfect condition and of course incredibly beautiful! All of this was made even more special by the fact that everything was decked out with incredible holiday decorations and Christmas trees! At the end of the two hour tour we had champagne and got to shop in what’s normally the billiards room. I picked up some ornaments and a few tea towels. Here is the crown ornament I purchased on my own tree at home.
Kew Palace
Kew Palace is located within the Kew Botanical Gardens and is only open April through September. It was a royal residence and retreat and although a quite lovely place from the outside there isn’t a lot to see inside. I recommend visiting only if you’re already going to Kew (a fabulous place to visit, but more on that in another post).
Windsor Castle
We visited Windsor Castle in 2006 on our first family trip to England. This was in the springtime when the Queen was not in residence and we took an audio tour. Tim stayed with Simon and I went at my own pace. Like Buckingham Palace there are at times special tours of Windsor and if I ever get another chance to visit I’m definitely taking one!
St. George’s Chapel is located on the grounds of Windsor Castle and there are 10 monarchs buried there. Including Henry the VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour. If you are a lover of history and especially Tudor history this will be a must not miss for you!
Windsor is not only a castle but also a town and there are quite a few nice shops and restaurants to poke around before you take the train back to London or wherever your next destination might be.
Gardens on the Castle grounds
To the Castle
Riding the train to Windsor
The town of Windsor
Kensington Palace
We also visited Kensington Palace on the 2006 trip and weren’t all that impressed. there was an exhibit of Princess Diana’s gowns, but I didn’t think it was done very well. I’m not sure what it would be like now since it’s been quite a few years, but at the time I remember being very unimpressed and disappointed that I had wasted the price of admission. I recently looked online and see that there are many exhibitions on display and some are probably very good as it looks like they’ve updated it quite a bit. The gardens are also very beautiful. I have a similar picture in my collection, but this one provided by the Historic Royal Palaces website is just a tiny bit better. 😉
A very surprising thing has happened! The more I dig into writing this blog the more I am realizing how much I am enjoying writing it! The only problem is now I can’t stop thinking up things I would like to write about. I definitely have many more travel ideas to share as well as thoughts about parties, costumes, make up, art, running and fitness, the latest movies, books and music my family have been enjoying and so much more. I thought maybe I’d post a list here of what some of my upcoming posts might be about. Of course if anyone is interested in some more than others than I would welcome that feedback!
In recent years we’ve been fortunate enough to do quite a bit of traveling and I’d like to write about those destinations that we’ve been to more recently while they are still fresh in my mind! Some thoughts for other future travel related posts are: Cocoas from around the world and Where in the world is Batman (Lego Batman that is…).
Posts about recent trips in Asia and Europe might be, Tokyo and Kyoto, Paris and Disneyland Paris, Edinburgh and the Highlands, Rome, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre and Pompeii, Bilbao, San Sebastian and maybe more on Barcelona. Of course there are the rest of my London posts which include shopping, museums, palaces and castles, attractions, and eating.
In the United States I’m looking forward to writing about my many trips to Disneyland and LegoLand. Also in SoCal: LA, Santa Monica, and San Diego – Comic Con. In NorCal there is San Francisco, Yosemite and Silicon Valley! Look for Seattle, Chicago, New York and Hawaii soon!
I’ll be doing some serious research on future trips I would like to take and those include: Ireland, Thailand, Croatia, Netherlands and possibly somewhere tropical! I think Tim is hoping for Australia. Of course I hope to start and end some of these journeys in my favorite city, LONDON!
When I’m not traveling and working out I am often planning, throwing and attending parties! Theme parties, formal parties, birthday parties for kids and adults, backyard parties, and fundraising parties! Of course there is the annual Halloween party we attend and that always entails a fairly elaborate costume! For the past few years I’ve helped plan and run a large auction for my children’s elementary school. This is a photo of my running girls at our last auction event which was an Arabian Nights theme.
I LOVE London! Absolutely love it and while it’s hard to choose an absolute #1 favorite city, I think this has to be the ONE! Fish and chips, mushy peas, clotted cream, a millennia of fascinating history, those charming accents, shopping, royalty, english breakfast tea, Hunter boots, English taxi cabs, the tube, theater and I could go on and on. I just love it. My kids love it too which makes it all the more fun!
There are so many wonderful neighborhoods in this vast city and many many fantastic things to see, I’ll be sharing some of my personal favorites in a series of posts, but I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to complete this list. Just too many good things and I do hope to get back soon so I can add even more!
Not only do we love visiting this awesome city, but it’s a great place to start and end our various adventures. It’s a great jumping off point to many other destinations! It’s also great to fly into a place where we understand the language, know our way around and are familiar with the hotel! This can make all the difference in getting our trip off to a good start! It’s also a great way to end our journey. We’ve done this a number of times now and even have our arrival tradition of cocoa in the hotel lobby!
Surprised and Delighted!
So, about that cocoa! It’s served in the absolutely exquisite lobby of The Corinthia Hotel, one of the many places I’m going to tell you about in this series of posts! The lobby is so beautiful it almost deserves it’s own post. Anyway, about that cocoa. Imagine our surprise and delight when we ordered a cup of cocoa and this is what we were served! We had just arrived tired and a bit damp straight from our flight and tube ride and we decided it would be a good idea to just sit for a few minutes and warm up. Who knew it would be the “high tea” of cocoa served in beautiful china pots with a selection of homemade marshmallows strawberry and traditional, white and milk chocolate shavings, and freshly whipped cream. Alongside each cup was a tiny quince pie and also included was a lovely plate of chocolate truffles! We set to work loading up on all the chocolate shavings, marshmallows and cream that our mugs could hold! we couldn’t believe our good fortune! This seemed like an experience worth making a tradition out of. Not only do we always order cocoa upon our arrival at the Corinthia Hotel, but we’ve done our best to order it in every single city we’ve visited since!
Heading to the pool 2011
The Corinthia Hotel – The Corinthia opened in 2011 and is a luxury hotel. The rooms are beautifully decorated and very comfortable. If you’re visiting with kids they have “family” rooms which are quite spacious. They do a really nice job of making the children feel welcome in various ways. There are miniature robes and slippers, stuffed animals, bags of candy and even specialized toiletries waiting for them. The rooms themselves have many really nice touches including their own Nespresso machines, heated shower floors and bathtubs with televisions. There is turn down service each evening and included with that are small boxes of chocolate for each guest. In addition to the lobby, which is a lovely place to sit and have a small meal or drinks, there are also other dining options and all of them are worth visiting. The Breakfast is especially yummy! The spa and pool are incredibly beautiful and we always look forward to visiting them. However, the hours for children are extremely limited and are unfortunately during prime sight seeing time, so we don’t always get to go. They are very strict on this point and children are not allowed in the vitality pool either. The hotel is within walking distance to many things: Trafalgar Square, The National Portrait Gallery, Leicester Square, The Mall and many other places.
The Lobby
Above the lobby hangs an extraordinary Baccarat chandelier with one red glass orb! It’s amazing and it reflects upon all the shiny tables down below creating quite a cool effect! It’s an absolutely beautiful spot to just sit and relax. Even on the rainiest of London days it’s always bright and cheerful and the flower arrangements are all works of art!
The flowers change once a week or so and of course are always in theme with whatever is in season that time of year. A few years ago I dropped my computer so sadly I don’t have many photos of the Christmas flowers anymore, but you can see that the summer arrangements were spectacular. They have their own florist on site and it’s fun to take a look at what they’ve got going on. They also have a mini Harrods inside the hotel as well.
In 2011 we spent New Year’s Eve at the Corinthia. During our stay the boys met other children also staying at the hotel. We spent most of our evening in the lobby visiting with other guests and enjoying the atmosphere. Just before midnight we all went outside and watched the fireworks over the river. 2012 was a big year in London with the Queen’s Jubilee and the Summer Olympic Games taking place. The fireworks show was extra big! After it was over we just went back in and put the boys to bed! How convenient was that!?
This is a photo of Simon and I and all those fireworks! Pictures don’t do it justice, because you could also hear Big Ben chiming in the background and there were hundreds of people all around. All in all it was a night to remember!
The Spa in the Corinthia
The Spa in the Corinthia hotel is unlike any spa or pool area I’ve ever been to. It’s mainly for the use of adults, but twice a day for 90 minutes the pool area is open to children. We are usually too busy running around London visiting as many sites as we can to make the allotted times, but we do try to fit in a swim or two each time we visit. They’re pretty strict about this policy. There is a small gym with a trainer on hand that I’ve used a few times and it’s nice, but I’d rather go for a run outside if given the choice.
It’s very dark in the pool area and the floors are incredibly slippery, so shoes are a must! The pool is lined with what looks to be stainless steel and the floors and ceilings are all black.
Before you enter the pool area there is a lovely little room with water and sofas that has the most interesting ceiling. It looks like lots and lots of little fiber optic light strands!
There is also a vitality pool (luke warm hot tub) with an underwater sofa of sorts and a waterfall chair. The boys love that! In addition there is a sauna and a little lounge area with a fireplace. Of course all of this is nice, but what’s most important is the room itself!
The Room
The rooms as you can imagine are all very lovely. The closets are lit from within and are stocked with umbrellas (for the very likely event of rain!) and other amenities one might need while staying. As I mentioned above they take very special care of the children during the visit and it’s been different each time, so we are always surprised by what we find. Once when staying during the Wimbledon Tournament they left tiny chocolate tennis rackets for each boy!
Another time it was a bag full of chocolate playing cards and specialty juices. Of course there is a fully stocked mini bar in each room and you can prepare your own coffee using the in room Nespresso machine or cocoa or tea!
Other things our boys found fun were the doorbell just outside the door of our room, the TV with remote on the wall of the bathtub area and electric blackout shades over the windows! I love that the towels are always fresh and fluffy, the sheets are as soft as can be and the shower floor is warm! One thing I don’t love is the shampoo. However, I’ll admit that traveling isn’t the best on long hair no matter the products.
More often than not when discussing our next adventure our boys ask to go back to the Corinthia Hotel! Greeted by extremely polite doormen in top hats and long coats, gourmet cocoa, A hearty breakfast buffet, the softest sheets, a pool and spa with the vibe of a night club and surrounded by flower arrangements any bride would envy! What’s not to love?!
New Orleans, Louisiana, is, in my opinion, the most unique city in America, and it’s also a favorite of mine! There is something so special about it and I always feel so at home there. Wandering with no particular destination in mind just enjoying the atmosphere is my perfect day.
My very first stop each and every visit and my favorite place to go in NOLA is Cafe Du Monde! NO trip to NOLA would be complete without a stop here, it’s an institution! You’ll find Cafe Du Monde across the street from the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square park. There is no substitution!
The St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest Catholic cathedral In America. There are many great places to explore in New Orleans, The French Quarter, The Warehouse District, Magazine Street (six miles of shopping!), and the Garden District to name just a few. I can count on a completely different experience each and every time I visit! In a city as diverse as NOLA there are many choices, but here are some of my favorite things to do with and without the kids when I visit the Crescent City.
RESTAURANTS
Careful of all that powdered sugar! Best to eat downwind!
As I mentioned above Cafe Du Monde is probably my favorite place in NOLA. It’s open 24 hours a day every day of the year except Christmas and, as their website mentions, when the occasional hurricane passes too close. You can get three beignets and a cup of coffee for under $5! They are served hot and with about a cup of powdered sugar on top! It’s not a full day in NOLA without a trip to Cafe Du Monde. There is always a line for both indoor seating and the to go window, but if you’re not in a hurry it’s kind of fun to sit down and get table service. Otherwise the take out window line moves fairly quickly and you can see a trail of sugar leading away from the place in all directions!
The Acme Oyster House is sooooo good and although there is almost always a line to get in you can drink hurricanes outside while waiting! The shrimp po boys are great but I had the “10 napkin roast beef” and it was to die for! You’ll definitely need those 10 napkins and probably a few more! By the way this place isn’t just for tourists the locals love it too!
We discovered District: Donuts, sliders and Brew while walking on Magazine Street one afternoon and we loved it! We make sure to hit this spot each and every visit!
Mothers Restaurant is an institution and has been around since 1938. They are famous for their Ferdi Special a sandwich with debris, which are the little bits of meat that fall off during cooking. There are always long lines here and it’s not just tourists, but locals too!
Commanders Palace, located in the Garden District, is definitely worth a visit! I had the Sunday Jazz brunch here and it was a real experience! From the truly southern welcome when we walked in to the balloon bouquets on each table to the three piece band to the turtle soup. Plan ahead for this one, you’ll need reservations. If you have time, the Lafayette Cemetery across the street is worth a stop.
Emeril’s Delmonico is located on the St. Charles Street car line in what looks to have been an old house. The restaurant has not only great food, but extremely warm hospitality. We had Easter Brunch here loved it. They take reservations and walk-ins. Clancy’s is another fine dining restaurant located uptown. This was a place recommended to me by some local friends. The Food was amazing! Reservations are a must.
HOTELS
During our most recent trip in April 2015 we stayed at the Hyatt French Quarter and we really enjoyed this hotel. Its located on Iberville and Canal streets. One foot in the Quarter and one foot out which makes for a great location when staying with the kids! The rooms were fairly large and quite up to date. We ordered room service and the food was some of the best room service I’ve had anywhere. The lobby bar and coffee shop were both new and had fun decor. The coffee shop was called Powdered Sugar which I think is such a cute and clever name considering all the streets in town are covered in powdered sugar from all the beignets! It was overall a very pleasant place and I would definitely stay here again. There is a pool, but it wasn’t heated and so we didn’t get in. We stayed over the Easter holiday, so the photo is of my little guy with his easter bunny loot!
The Royal Sonesta is located inside the French Quarter on Bourbon Street. I stayed here on my girls trip and it was probably my least favorite of all four hotels I’ve stayed in. If you stay here request a courtyard room. Otherwise it will be very loud. The rooms are spacious, but rundown and due to it’s location you’ll need to show your key before you can come in and out during certain times of the day and night. We chose to enter and exit from the other side just to avoid being flashed. There is a pool, but we never found time to use it.
The Roosevelt Hotel is located just across Canal street which is the dividing line between The French Quarter and the Central Business District. We stayed over the winter break and everything in town was decorated beautifully. In fact The Roosevelt is famous for their holiday decorations which were spectacular. My photos don’t do it justice! In addition to all the amazing lights and trees, they also had an entire French Quarter including the Cathedral made entirely of gingerbread and candy! The rooms were very spacious which is reminiscent of older hotels and it was nice for the boys to be able to spread out a bit.
Tim and I stayed a the Hotel Monteleone 16 years ago when we were engaged and so it wouldn’t be fair to give it much of a review. However, I will say that the location is good, right on the fringe of the quarter on the Canal side and it’s famous for it’s revolving Carousel Bar.
Bars
Bourbon Street If you’ve never been to NOLA I’m sure you’ll find your way to bourbon street! You’ll probably see a bit of this and that, LOL! but in my opinion those with something worth seeing are never the ones showing. 😉
Tipitinas located in the Garden District is a famous place for music and drinks I went there with the girls and had a great time!
The motto at Pat O’Briens is: “Have Fun” and who can argue with that!? A New Orleans institution, you’ll find Pat O’Briens, just next to Preservation Hall and across the street from the Rev Zombies Voodoo shop. The Hurricanes here are big, strong and the color of Kool-aid! They have a huge bar with lots of room to spread out, but if you’re not in the mood to hang out in one spot just get your hurricane to go and head across the way to the Rev Zombies Voodoo shop and sign up for a Haunted History Tour! It’s perfectly acceptable and legal to walk around with alcoholic beverages in NOLA.
Lafittes Blacksmith Shop claims to be one of the oldest bars in the US. It’s located on Bourbon Street, but further down from all the hullabaloo with beads and such! It has a long history and is considered to be haunted. Definitely a fun place to visit and if you go on a Haunted History tour it’s one of their stops.
Attractions
Located on St. Peter’s Street in the French Quarter The Rev Zombies voodoo shop is a fun and quirky shop to visit! There are many things of interest to look at and a variety of voodoo dolls and other items to purchase. This is also the meeting spot for my next entry below.
Haunted History Tours is a great tour company where you can book a tour through the cemeteries and other parts or New Orleans. By day if you want to learn about New Orleans history or a ghost tour by night if you want silly fun! I’ve done both multiple times and it’s always interesting! Our kids came along too! These are not jump out and scare you tours. They focus on legend, history and humor! They do a great job of changing things up from time to time, so you’ll enjoy a different experience every time.
St. Louis Cemetery #1 is located on Basin Street this is the oldest extant cemetery in New Orleans. It’s still in operation! It’s a fascinating place to visit and I highly recommend taking a tour. New Orleans has a fascinating and long history and a lot of it is explained during the cemetery tour. This tour is very appropriate for kids although younger ones might find it a little dry. There is a nearby visitor center with bathrooms and interesting exhibits to look at.
The grave of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau
Faubourg Marigny is the neighborhood bordering the French Quarter on the other side of Esplanade. A quirky area with a lot of jazz clubs and good food! We found a fun casual place to eat called Dat Dog and visited the Frenchmen’s Market. This was our first time visiting this area and I think we will definitely want to come back and explore more!
The Frenchmen’s Market is an evening art and flea market located on Frenchmen’s street in the Faubourg Marigny. It’s open from 7 pm and it’s very family friendly. My little guy loved drawing with chalk on the floor of the outdoor “living room” in the center of the market while Tim, Simon and I took turns browsing around.
The Audubon Zoo. We’ve been to this zoo twice and at last count I think we’ve hit close to 20 zoos around the world (maybe that will be another post?!), so we consider ourselves zoo connoisseurs! Visiting the same zoo twice means we think it’s up there pretty high on our zoo list! They have some unusual animals here and we particularly enjoyed seeing the white alligators and they have a white tiger too! They also have a really nice Louisiana swamp section featuring local animals and foliage. If you’re not too grossed out by their long tongues there is an area where you can feed the giraffe carrots. You can even get alligator jambalaya at the zoo cafe!
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is located along the river front this is a nice aquarium and while we haven’t been to as many aquariums as we have zoos we’ve certainly seen our share! It’s pretty self explanatory so I won’t say much, but it is a nice place to take the kids in between cemetery tours and antique shops!
The Insectarium is located on Canal Street just across from the Quarter and a few blocks from the aquarium this place is pretty neat! I’ve been to one or two bug zoos but this place takes the cake! It’s huge and really well done. Definitely worth a visit especially if your kids are into this kind of thing. Mine were!
ART GALLERIES
Located on Chartres Street in the French Quarter, Bee Galleries is the current home of a number of local New Orleans artists. My favorite happens to be Mark Bercier and I recently had the opportunity to visit the Bee Gallery and to purchase one of Mark’s paintings! This was a dream come true for me! Not only did I bring home this fabulous painting, but I also had an opprtunity to speak with Mr. Bercier and let him know just how much I admire his work! The title of this painting is Silence.
We loved Graphite Galleries located on Royal Street in the Quarter and we visited a number of times trying to make up our minds. The owner was incredibly gracious about showing our boys around and explaining all the art to them. I’m sure we will visit again when we next visit NOLA.
AND FINALLY…
With six miles of shopping and galleries Magazine Street is a fantastic place to just wander and browse. The Garden District has many beautiful old homes to wander by and during our last visit we found the previous home of Anne Rice author of the Interview with a Vampire books! We discovered SIMON the sign maker just off of Magazine, toured The Pharmacy Museum, rode the St. Charles Street Car and ate beignets every single day! Honestly, I could go on and on and on…
Would you like directions to all these fabulous places? Why not take me with you! you can download this and other fun hilarystyle articles using the GPSmyCity app!
Having visited many amazing places It’s hard to choose an absolute favorite, but Barcelona is definitely near the top of the list! A few summers ago, we spent a month traveling through Europe and when I asked Simon we he liked most, he said, “Living the Barcelona lifestyle!” He loved the late nights, late mornings and naps or rest time in the middle of the day. Geez, who wouldn’t?!
RESTAURANTS
Eating in Barcelona is as much of an attraction as visiting markets and Gaudi buildings! Many places offer tapas, which is purchased by the piece. Perfect if you’re in a hurry, or just looking for a quick snack. Drop in, grab a bite, and you’ll be on your way. Jamon Iberico, is a favorite with my boys, and if they could they’d eat it along with a few slices of manchego day and night.
Bar Mut is One of the coolest tapas places in town. It is hard to get in, but SOOOO worth it! Don’t miss this place! If you’re not sure what to order just ask them to decide for you. Lunch is a good alternative if you find dinner too crowded. Reservations for dinner are a must.
Mercat Princesa is an upscale “food court” of sorts. We LOVED this place, and went almost everyday for lunch, the food was fantastic, the service was excellent and because each station specializes in something different there was something for everyone in our group! There is a lovely atrium in the center where you can sit and enjoy your meal. By the end of our trip Simon had made friends with the man working at the station he liked most even though they didn’t speak each others language.
Chocolate con Churros
No trip to Barcelona would be complete with Chocolate Con Churros! A tradition passed from generation, Tim’s friend took us to the spot he used to go to with his grandparents when he was a small boy. We all loved this and we had chocolate con churros many times!
Tim’s local friend took us to Mundial Bar a tiny little restaurant with excellent food. The place was packed with locals, so we knew we were in the right place!
Cava is the Spanish version of champagne and it’s very popular! We met up with some good friends from the States during our visit and I confess we popped open a few bottles.
While I did enjoy the Cava, my favorite beverage was white sangria. Remember that “Barcelona Lifestyle” I mentioned? Nothing like sitting in the square enjoying sangria, Jamon and manchego, while watching the people and performers go by.
Gin bars were all the rage when we were last there, so of course we had to check one out! We are lucky enough to know a few locals and one graciously offered to watch the boys so we could venture out for a night on the town!
Things To See Around Town
Definitely wander and explore the city aimlessly!! Keep in mind that the shops and restaurants have no rhyme or reason for opening times, so each time you walk down the street it will be a completely different experience! Allow yourself to get lost in the El Born, Barri Gotic and El Raval neighborhoods.
Cathedrals
The Cathedral of Barcelonawas completed in 1448 and is located in a large square where they sometimes have outdoor markets. It’s a nice place so stroll around and there are many restaurants near by. Keep in mind there are strict dress code policies and no shorts or sleeveless shirts are allowed inside. The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar dates back to 1383 and is definitely worth going inside. It’s one of the oldest cathedrals in the city, and it is very beautiful! The boys and I were fascinated by the many stones in the floor with skull and crossbones on them. I did take a few photos of the inside, but honestly I couldn’t do it justice. The outside is tricky too because it’s located in a quaint little square and it’s hard to get far enough away to get a good photo. I hope you’ll trust me on this one and go check it out!
Our room was down a little street about 1/2 a block away and all four of us loved sitting outside in the square. Some combination of the four of us could be found here almost every afternoon while the others took time for siestas in the room. There is just something about this place and part of town that is special to me.
Gaudi
When visiting Barcelona you don’t want to miss taking a look at some of the Gaudi buildings. They are quite spectacular and some are even UNESCO World Heritage Sites. La Pedrera, Casa BatlloandParc Guellare all worth seeing, however if you have limited time I would choose Casa Batllo or La Pedrera as both are located on the Passeig de Gràcia.
If the other Gaudi buildings are impressive then La Sagrada familia is the pièce de résistance! It literally took my breath away. I highly recommend you get your tickets in advance online as the lines can be very long. We learned this the hard way, but there was as silver lining as Simon and I met some incredibly nice people from SoCal while we were waiting and we are still friends!
This place has been under construction since 1866 and still is!! We chose to do a self guided tour and also decided to go up to the top. I would definitely recommend going up as the views were amazing and you can actually see some of the construction taking place. Keep in mind that the stairways are quite narrow, and it is high so if you’re claustrophobic, afraid of heights or have very small children this might not be the place for you.
If not the most amazing church I’ve ever stepped into, it’s definitely the most unique. According to the official website it should be completed sometime this century. These photos were taken in 2013 during our second visit. Our first visit took place in 2007 when the inside had no windows and was completely unfinished. It was amazing to see how much progress was made in six years time. How special to witness the building of such an amazing place.
Las Ramblas
Although I do love the side streets, Las Ramblas, one of Barcelona’s main streets is definitely worth walking down. You’ll probably end up here a few times and and there are definitely things to see. There is even a Joan Miro in the middle of the sidewalk!
Markets
The La Boqueria located on Las Ramblas has existed in one form or another since 1200. While it is a bit more on the touristy side than some other markets, its definitely fun to wander through. There are stalls selling spices, fruits, vegetables and meats, also TONS of candy and many other items, some of which are unusual to us americans. The kids enjoyed these markets especially the candy!!
El Mercat de Santa Caterina is another market located not far the Cathedral of Barcelona. It has an incredible mosaic tile roof and is more popular with the locals. Wandering through these markets is a nice way to get an idea of what it might be like for the locals. We love this market and have been multiple times!
At the market
I wouldn’t mind shopping here
Or here…
Tours and Other Attractions
A friend and I went on a Running tour of Barcelona and we loved this! If you have any runners in your group this is a great way to see a lot of the city! A very unique way to see the city and our guide Robin was very knowledgable.
Tim and I enjoyed the Picasso Museum , but my little guy wasn’t a big fan. To avoid the long lines consider arriving right at opening.
Roman Ruins are everywhere in Barcelona and they are definitely worth seeing. We went to quite a few. It’s really quite incredible how they are just “right there” surrounded by everyday life.
I don’t recommend the beach in Barcelona. In fact it was by far the dirtiest beach I’ve ever seen. Absolutely disgusting! It looks beautiful from a distance, but upon closer inspection it was more like a trash dump than a beach. I saw things I don’t even want to mention… If you’re looking for a swimming beach Stiges is the place.
In my generation St. Paul’s is probably most famous for having been the location where Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer, but there has been a cathedral dedicated to St. Paul in its current spot for 1,400 years! If you’re an English history lover, like me, you’ll also be interested to know that theirs was the first wedding of an heir to the throne to take place in St. Paul’s in 480 years, following the marriage of Prince Arthur to Catherine of Aragon in 1501. This is also the location Mary Poppins is singing about in the song Feed The Birds in the movie Mary Poppins! Information about the current building from the official website:
There are many things to see and discover inside St. Paul’s and my boys were both very interested, however I think my older son was the more engaged of the two. Sightseeing times are between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm and both guided and audio tours are available. We went with the self guided audio tour.
Next is the Stone Gallery which is on the outside of the dome and is 376 steps up from the cathedral floor. Finally after climbing 528 steps you’ll reach the Golden Gallery! If you make it to the top you won’t be disappointed because the panoramic views of London are spectactular!
