Right after my trip to D.C., another professional opportunity came my way—I was invited to speak at a conference in NYC. This time, Ricky was able to join me, so we departed from XNA on a Thursday with a return flight on Sunday, making it a strict weekend trip. I absolutely love the nonstop Delta flight because it departs in the late afternoon, which meant we both got to work during the day without taking any time off.
We stayed at The Beekman Hotel on Nassau Street, and it has officially carved a spot on our top hotel list. The building itself is stunning, with incredible architecture, upscale rooms featuring amazing views, and super cool artwork. The service was impeccable, and I was genuinely excited to stay there. We booked through Expedia, and now that we have status, the benefits are honestly amazing. We get steep discounts at certain properties, and the OneKey cash really adds up. We snagged The Beekman at nearly 60% off! We landed late at night, so we headed straight to the hotel to get some much-needed rest before my morning engagement.
The next morning, I spoke at the She Leads LIVE! conference, thanks to an invitation from the incredible founder, Adrienne Garland. After spending the morning speaking and networking with some amazing women, I took an Uber back to the hotel. Ricky had enjoyed a lazy morning, ordering breakfast in bed and getting ready while I was out.
We started our NYC adventure with a walk through Central Park, beginning at the Strawberry Fields tribute, then making our way to Bethesda Fountain, before heading to The Met. This was my first time actually going inside the museum—my previous two visits to NYC had fallen on days it was closed. As expected, I fell irrevocably in love. Not only is its impressionist collection world-class, but its sculpture area is also unparalleled. The museum itself is a work of art, with grand marble columns and breathtaking architecture. I could’ve spent the entire day there, but a few hours had to suffice.
Our next stop was Shake Shack—one of Ricky’s and my all-time favorite fast-food places, and without a doubt our number-one burger spot. Any excuse to have Shake Shack is a good one! For the afternoon, we chose to head to DUMBO just in time for sunset, which made for the perfect picture backdrop. We wrapped up the adventure with a classic NYC hot dog before heading back to the hotel. Exhausted from travel and a busy day, we opted for room service and an early night. We’ve been mindful of how much we’ve been putting our bodies through travel-wise, and a little rest was much needed.
The next morning, we started with a delicious in-room breakfast—top-notch eggs Benedict, of course. After grabbing some Starbies, we walked to the World Trade Center. Since our hotel was close by, it was the perfect stop. Though we had both been to the memorial before (me twice, Ricky once), neither of us had ever visited the 9/11 Museum.
We had heard from friends and family that the museum is incredibly powerful, moving, and destabilizing, and I can confirm they were absolutely right. It’s an incredibly thorough and well-curated museum, but it was emotionally heavy. Some installations brought every single person in the room to tears. We ended up seeing all of it, but toward the end, we rushed through some sections because I told Ricky that if we spent too much more time inside, I’d be too emotionally drained to continue with the day’s plans. If you visit, I highly recommend booking plenty of time and preparing yourself emotionally—it’s an experience you won’t forget.
Our next stop was the American Museum of Natural History. Ricky and I had wanted to visit on our first trip, but because we were there for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, our time was too limited. I was thrilled to finally fit it in! NYC is one of those places—like Los Angeles or Paris—where I always feel drawn to return, which is rare for me. It makes me hopeful that I’ll always have another chance to see what I’ve missed. The museum did not disappoint! Their Earth History and Universe/Space exhibits are unmatched, and the Dinosaur and Sea Life sections are incredible. We even joined an immersive video experience of the Big Bang, narrated by Liam Neeson—honestly, I loved every part of this museum. And the building itself is just as impressive as the exhibits inside.
After a quick lunch, we headed to see Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. Our friend Robert was a backup pianist for the show, so it was extra special knowing he was backstage. Update: He has now officially made his Broadway debut as a pianist for Cabaret—so proud of him! The show was phenomenal. Adam Lambert was absolutely incredible, and the entire cast was bursting with talent. It’s such a powerful production—highly recommend!
After the show, we went back to the hotel, changed into comfier clothes, and waited for Robert, who met us at The Beekman Hotel Bar. If you’re anywhere near the area, 10/10 recommend visiting, even if you’re not staying at the hotel. The bar is absolutely stunning—it’s been featured in countless magazines and lists, and it’s frequently used for celebrity photoshoots. The drinks and ambiance were top-tier. We wrapped up the night with dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant called Da Claudio, then loaded up on snacks from a nearby bodega and spent the rest of the night snacking and watching TV.
Our last day in NYC arrived, but of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to the city without bagels! This time, we tried Leo’s instead of Zucker’s, and I have to say—I think I might love Leo’s even more. It may now be my favorite bagel spot in NYC. We walked to the closest Zucker’s, grabbed bagels, and then brought them back to eat in bed while watching a movie. We requested a late checkout, and The Beekman was kind enough to accommodate us, making it seamless to head straight to the airport. We were back in XNA by 6 p.m.
All in all, I loved the Thursday-Sunday nonstop itinerary—it’s perfect for NYC-NWA commuters and made our weekend trip effortless. This trip was a bit of a rarity for us since it was unexpected, and I didn’t have a lot of plans. I tried to go with the flow, which turned out to be the perfect choice for NYC. While I probably wouldn’t do this with another destination, it worked so well here. We got to see a ton of landmarks, eat amazing food, and still have plenty of downtime—all without feeling rushed. It was exactly what we wanted and needed!
