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Friday

3:00pm Check into your suite (with two baths plus kitchenette) at the Manhattan Club hotel (200 W. 56th Street, three blocks from Central Park)

4-6pm Stretch your legs walking around Central Park. Be sure to get to the zoo first if that’s on your list, since last admission is 4:30pm. Check out the serene Pond and classic Gapstow Bridge, the Carousel, The Mall (a busy thoroughfare you’ll recognize from countless movies), Sheep Meadow, operate a miniature sailboat on The Lake or go birdwatching in the Ramble, and visit Strawberry Fields to see the Imagine Mosaic in honor of John Lennon. Nearby are the Hans Christian Anderson statues. 

7:30pm Dinner – you’ll have no trouble finding a great meal close to the hotel, but I recommend Le Grande Boucherie, Ella Social or Harvest Kitchen. 

9:30pm Stop into the Birdland Jazz Club (315 W. 44th Street) for a nightcap and some of the best Jazz in the city

Saturday

10:00am Museum Morning! MoMA and the Natural History Museum are close by on either side of Central Park. The Guggenheim and the Museum of the City of New York are a bit farther north on the east side of the park. 

1:00pm Lunch at the Brooklyn Diner (212 W. 57thStreet)

Afternoon Sight Seeing (pick 2-3)

Rockefeller Plaza

Carnegie Hall

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Tiffany’s and 5th Avenue Shopping

Times Square

Empire State Building

The High Line

7:00pm Dinner Downtown at The Dutch (131 Sullivan Street) or The Smith (55 3rd Ave)

9:30pm Check out a comedian at the Comedy Cellar (117 McDougall Street) or grab a drink at d.b.a. (41 1st Ave in the East Village) or Pierre Loti Wine Bar (53 Irving Place near Union Square).

Sunday

9:00am Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Admire the NYC skyline view from the pebble beach in DUMBO (Front St. and Washington St)

10:30 Take the F line subway from York Street Station to Coney Island. 

11:15-4:00pm Check out Coney Island attractions and boardwalk, make your way to Brighton Beach, enjoy an iconic hot dog and ice cream cone for lunch

6:00pm Rest at the hotel

7:30pm Broadway Show – Try The Outsiders or Hell’s Kitchen

10:00pm Check out Bea (403 West 43rd St) for a light post-show dinner and glass of wine

Monday

Depart for home

Above is a sample of part of a trip I planned to Nashville, TN. Nashville is a foodie's delight, although you're definitely going to hear fantastic live music. I recommend starting your weekend with a vist to the Parthenon, an exact replica of the ancient temple in Greece. Inside you'll find replica statues as well as permanent and rotating art displays, a history of the original Parthenon and an exploration of how this replica was created. It's set in lovely Centennial Park, a great place to stretch your legs after a day of travel. Satisfy your appetite with Nashville's finest - Hot Chicken. There's debate aplenty about the best (try a few!), but Prince's on Broadway is a spicy place to start. A weekend in Nashville is built around bar hopping to hear all the different genres of live music from country to rock to blues and even some pop. Follow your ears until your modern and cozy hotel bed calls you back. Located in the heart of downtown, the Moxi is your perfect home base.  

TripIt is a free, editable itinerary that I fill in with your personal vacation ideas based on my research and your answers to the survey. Each item contains the address, website, and any notes for the lodging, restaurant, bar or activity (if available). I share it with you and your whole traveling party (if you wish). You can easily add in your flights/car rental/hotel confirmations upon booking. It's a great way to organize all the details of your vacation in one handy spot!

Day 1

Check into your vacation house rental near Camelback Mountain and pick a room!

Stock up the kitchen at nearby Trader Joe's or SafeWay but order in gourmet pizza from Le Grande Orange for dinner to accommodate all arrivals and appetites.

Day 2

Brunch at The Porch or Chelsea's Kitchen (both casual) to fuel up for an afternoon tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West and exploring Old Town Scottsdale. Some of the gang might want to take in a Fall League ball game  or Spring Training at the Scottsdale Stadium with its beautiful sunset views. Dine at The Mission Old Town for an upscale yet cozy take on Latin food.

Day 3

Pack some snacks and sandwiches and beat the heat with a day of river tubing  Take in the gorgeous Arizona scenery while lazily floating down a section of the  Salt River. 

Day 4

Breakfast at home, perhaps after a refreshing morning swim. Take the whole family to Escape The Room where young and old alike puzzle out how to solve the riddles and escape. Try Vincent's on Camelback for a fancy - and delicious - dinner tonight. 

Day 5

Work off some of last night's extra calories with an early morning hike up Piestewa Peak. Enjoy the panoramic city views while getting a serious sweat session in! 

A dip in your backyard pool will feel great after that hike. Enjoy your last evening at home with takeout from another neighborhood fave, Ingo's Tasty Food. The name suits, trust me. 

Day 6

Say goodbye and depart for home.