New York - Bryant Park & Madame Tussaud’s

Dylan has been hanging out to go ice skating in NY, so this morning is his day. 

But first, breakfast in New York style. 

There was a little restaurant around the corner that had been recommended to us for their unique hosting style, so we were up early and at the Stardust Cafe at 7:15am. Only to join the queue of 20 other people waiting to get into the already full establishment. 

We waited for about a further 15 minutes and finally got our turn. 

At US$18-$22 per breakfast plus another US$6-$8 for a drink, it turned out to be the most expensive breakfast we have ever had!  

The big difference with this place is that the waiters / waitresses are all broadway wannabe’s and are continuously singing and dancing with a microphone as they walk around the tables serving meals. Was a very entertaining morning for everyone except my wallet. 

Our experience seeing Rockefeller rink yesterday and some suggestions from others saw us heading to Bryant Park instead for the ice skating today. This rink is actually 2-3 times bigger and seemingly populated by half the number of people. And free - except for the skate hire. 

The beaming smiles from all 3 kids told us that we had made the right decision in doing this, and it gave Tracy and I some time out in the sub zero temperatures to “chill” for a short time. 

They lasted about an hour and a half, and then we went for a long walk to visit the lower end of Manhattan in search of some Australian champagne to take to Rhode Island with us in a few days. 

Whilst on the walk across town, it actually started snowing a few times , albeit very lightly. Dylan’s inner 6 year old surfaced and it was amusing for us seeing him jumping around trying to catch the fluff in his open mouth. It was just as amusing watching New Yorkers walk around him without a second look as if he was not even there. 

Next stop was Madame Tussaud’s. Tracy and I had been there 16 years ago and felt it was such a unique experience that we just had to do it again with the kids. 

We finally escaped and could hardly stand on our aching feet anymore. We headed back to the sauna for some dinner and rest, before collapsing in readiness for another big day tomorrow.