New York Day One: Sightseeing, Mexican Food and Darren Criss!

Hello! How was everyones fourth of July? Last weekend Mom, Dad and I went to New York City for a mini-vacation. We left the house early in the morning and got to the Affinia Dumont in Midtown at right before noon. We dropped off our bags and headed out into the big city!

Our first stop was the Tenement Museum on the corner of Orchard St and Delancey St in the Lower East Side. We had signed up for the "Hard Times" tour, which looked into the lives of two families who lived at 97 Orchard Ave (the actual tenement) during two different economic crises (the Panic of 1873 and the Great Depression). No photos were allowed in the tenement, but I took photos of the outside of the building.

This is the gift store and ticket counter at 103 Orchard St, the tenement is down the road

Outside of the Tenement Museum 

Looking up at the tenement

We all agreed that this is one of the coolest and most interesting museums that we have ever been to. There are seven other tours, and I want to go back and try them all. Each tour is held on a different floor. For example we visited two staged apartments on the first floor, but the "Irish Outsiders" is held on the fourth floor with a different staged apartment. We really got a glimpse of the lives of the people who lived at 97 Orchard St through the staged apartments, census records, and real life accounts.

After our tour we stopped at the gift store and bought a postcard, a New York Street Food cookbook, and some buttons for Emma. Then we headed out to explore the Lower East Side and find some lunch.

While walking on 2nd Ave we found Rosie's, a Mexican restaurant where the front glass windows opened up to open the interior to the sidewalk. Making it perfect for people watching!

We decided to split some appetizers before moving onto entrées.

Fried plantains, fresh fruit with lime and red chili, and fresh salsas.

Some guac and chips!

I loved the fried plantains and fruit. In the fruit cup there were pieces of watermelon, cucumbers, and mango. It was super refreshing for the hot day. Mom and Dad really liked the guacamole and salsas, although they liked the salsa verde better.

After eating the last plantain and scooping up the last of the guacamole, we ordered the entrées. Dad got the brisket torta, which came with black beans, avocado, lettuce, pickled jalapeño, cheese, and mayonnaise. Mom and I split the brisket tacos and the queso fundido.

Everything was delicious and I would definitely recommend Rosie's to anyone looking for good Mexican food. 

After the late lunch, we walked back up 2nd Ave back to the hotel. We passed by a lot of neat looking restaurants, a park and we went into a coffee shop for a quick pick-me-up. 

I thought this was in DC!

At Peter's Field

Also at Peter's Field. My favorite Peter!

Before going to see one of the best musicals that I have ever seen, we rested at the hotel and then got ready.

I will be the first to admit that one of the main reasons that I wanted to see Hedwig and the Angry Inch was because of Darren Criss. I have loved Darren Criss since I saw A Very Potter Musical four or five years ago. I still cannot believe that I saw him perform live and that I actually met him in person!

The musical was absolutely fantastic and it was such a privilege to see Darren perform live. Mom, Dad and I laughed through the whole thing. While it is not a musical to bring Emma to (at least not for a few years), I would love to see it again with Darren as Hedwig or with anyone as Hedwig.

As soon as the last song ended, I rushed out to stage door wait to meet Darren. While I waited for over two hours, it was definitely worth it! I also got a photo and autograph from Rebecca Naomi Jones who played Hedwig's husband Yitzhak. 

Dad's photo of me right in front of the line! Stage door is directly to my right!

AHHH!

Rebecca Naomi Jones! 

Maybe my roommate will let me hang the poster is our room!

This was an amazing first day to our long weekend. I mean, what more could I ask for? A really interesting museum, fantastic food, and a mind-blowing musical? Not much tops that. But it's a good thing that we had a great weekend plan. You'll just have to check back later this week to find out about the rest of our trip!

See you next time!

Kara