My favorite New York things

In the fall, I make an annual solo trip to New York City to visit friends and do a little genealogy. I say "annual" because I've made the trip the last two years and hope that by calling it that, I'll continue to go each year. Here are a few of my favorite things to do, see and eat:

Katz Deli is a fantastic Jewish deli on the lower eastside and a real New York experience. It's the best pastrami sandwich you'll ever have! Pair it with a visit to the Tenement Museum and a walk through Chinatown and that's a great day! While you're down there, look for Muji at 455 Boardway. It's a really cool Japanese store with all kinds of interesting things. I also love browsing at Pearl River.

Be sure to visit the High Line. It's a privately funded park built on a raised freight train track running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 20th Street in Chelsea with entrances every couple of blocks. There are plans to extend it up to 34th Street in the next few years. Last year, we walked down the High Line from Chelsea to the Meatpacking District and the West Village and discovered Kaas Glassworks. They make beautiful decoupage plates with vintage papers.

No New York trip is complete without a visit to the Guggenheim. I'm not a modern art aficionado, but I love the Guggenheim. The building is inspiring and the art is provocative. Get the audio tour, so you can understand the artists and what inspired them to create a particular piece. Last fall, we stopped at Le Pain Quotidien for lunch before heading to the museum. Le Pain Quotidien is a chain restaurant that serves delicious tartines, quiche, soups and salads. There are many convenient locations around Manhattan.

Lastly, I love, love, love Milk & Cookies. It's a small shop in Greenwich Village with made-to-order ice cream sandwiches. You pick the cookie and ice cream flavor and they make it up for you on the spot. My favorite is the Overload - peanut butter chocolate cookie with dark chocolate ice cream. Yum!

I'm already thinking about when my next trip will be and I'm sure my "favorites" list will grow. Stay tuned!