'Win Blog: Midtown Outing

On today's C2C outing list:

Legoland

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Magnolia Bakery

Dylan's Candy Bar

Roosevelt Island Tram

After the long day we all had yesterday, we took our time getting out the door this morning (read: Andy took care of the boys while Ashley slept in, thank you!). Not that the boys didn't benefit from a morning at home! Around 10:30 or so, we headed down to Midtown to Legoland, which is smack dab in the middle of Rockefeller Center. Gabriel is just now getting into Legos, and, well, Andy has never stopped being into Legos, so it was only natural that we mandate this stop on our C2C list. Gabriel entered the large revolving doors of the store wide-eyed, taking it all in. Then, off and running to every Lego display. He was absolutely thrilled to see it all. I thoroughly enjoyed just watching him. He modestly chose one small Lego set, a restraint we were more than pleased to see. He marched out of the store swinging his Legoland bag high as the sky, grinning from ear to ear.

Next up, Magnolia Bakery. Now. Andy and I have frequented this bakery more times than I shall disclose, but we figured we ought to get one more visit in :). Practicing restraint once more, we all split one cupcake of Gabriel's choosing.

But where is the icing?? (Gabriel has mastered eating a cupcake icing first and leaving the cake!)

On the St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. I cannot believe that Andy nor I have been inside this great cathedral. We have walked up and down Fifth Avenue countless times, but never thought to step inside this relic. What a magnificent place! Soaring and ornate ceilings, sculptures and stained glass, rows and rows of pews. The church was apparently amid a noon mass (it was about 12:45) so out of respect we took a few quick photos and promptly exited. I mean there is a gift shop in the sanctuary and tons of tourists milling around (some even up behind the priest, geez!) but we felt bad for those who had actually come to worship, so we left.

After a quick bus ride up Madison Avenue and a pit stop into Bloomingdale's, it was time to hit Dylan's Candy Bar (for those that don't know, 'Dylan' is one of Ralph Lauren's daughters). This is a candy shop filled with, well, almost entirely candy! This was definitely a high risk, high reward stop, as Gabriel could have chosen to go bonkers in a candy store, but we went for it. He actually gravitated more towards the toys in the shop than the candy (a water balloon toy, stuffed animals, a candy shaped pillow, etc). He selected a candy bar with his name on it as his special treat. Andy and I resisted purchasing any candy for ourselves, although a sea salt dark chocolate bar was doing its best to soften my resolve.

Last stop, the Roosevelt Island Tram, most popularly seen in the movie Spiderman (the first one I think). The tram conveys passengers over the East River with sweeping views of the City. It is glass on all sides so everyone can pretty much see out, and when pressed against the side, if you look down you kind of feel like you're suspended in mid-air. It did freak Gabriel out for a second, but then he was able to enjoy the view. As soon as we got to Roosevelt Island, he indicated that he wanted to ride it again. Well convenient that we had to turn around and return to Manhattan, so we rode it right back!