My Trip to the 2003 World Series

The Marriott in Brooklyn is a fairly new hotel. If you have business in lower Manhattan, this is a good alternative to the Financial District. It is in a safe neighborhood in Brooklyn Heights. It is convenient to several major subway lines that will take you into the city, and it is just one or two stops from Wall Street.

The best thing about this hotel is the friendly staff. You can get kind of lost in those mega sized Manhattan hotels. That won't happen here. This hotel is very homey and inviting, not impersonal.

The rooms at this hotel were huge. Mine had a king bed and a sitting area along with a big work desk. These are some of the bigger rooms in New York!

Let us also not forget the bargain of staying a bit off the beaten path. A comparable room in Manhattan would cost you twice as much as this one on a busy weekend.

I only stayed here two nights because everything in the city was sold out due to the Series. I am happy I did and would gladly stay here again.

I had always heard about the luxury that was the Times Square Marquis. I finally got to experience that for 3 nights in October. After spending the first half of my trip in the Brooklyn Marriott, this was a real treat. While the Brooklyn hotel is a bit more remote, this one is right in the middle of everything.

If you want to be in the center of Times Square, this is where you want to be! It is within walking distance of TKTS, all Broadway venues, most major shopping, and Central Park.

From the moment I walked into the lobby, I knew I was in the lap of luxury. The rooms here are huge, just like the ads say. And the staff wonderful. While they didn't learn my name on sight like the people in Brooklyn, I still felt right at home here.

I was upgraded to a 47th floor room with a Times Square view. That was absolutely amazing.

If you really want to treat yourself to a decadent weekend in the city, this hotel is where you should stay. You won't be disappointed because this is truly 5 star service and atmosphere. Marriott got this one right.

The comfort diner specialized in comfort food. It has a 50's style diner appearance. The food is basically good old homecooking. You can find anything on the menu from burgers and fries to chicken pot pie to turkey and dressing. They are open early for breakfast and stay open fairly late too. I believe it was 11 or 12 when they closed.

My personal favorite dish was the fish and chips. It is fresh Atlantic cod beer batter dipped and deep fried. Sure, it's very fattening, but the taste was well worth it. The fries are fresh cut, and everything is homemade right on the premises.

If you have room, try a slice of one of their homemade cakes, cheesecakes, or pies. The chocolate is to die for. Of course, if you want it, you'll probably find yourself ordering dessert to go because you will get plenty to stuff you with your entree.

I like to keep my food simple, which is what drew me to this place in the first place. If you also like things like fresh made mashed potatoes or hand carved turkey, you're bound to enjoy this place as much as I do.

The service was a bit slow, but the food was well worth the wait. For under $20, I got the fish, dessert, and left a tip. It's a bargain in NYC. The restaurant is a bit off the beaten path. You'll find it on 45th street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. But believe me, it is well worth the trek!

Serendipity is famous for its Frozen Hot Chocolate. It is a New York landmark that was a favorite hangout for the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Jacqueline Onasis.

After my visit there, I honestly can't imagine why. The inside was dark and crowded. The tables were so close together that you bumped your neighbor if you got up to go to the restroom. And if you go, plan to wait a while because there is always a line.

The food was simple enough -- burgers, fries, hot dogs, etc.-- but the prices were very high. I ordered a hamburger but ended up returning it because neither the menu nor the wait staff told me that the cooks used chopped onions in the beef. And there is no way to order a burger without them. So parents, take note of that if you do visit since most kids don't like onions at all.

I decided on a hot dog. It was a foot long that was grilled, but I've honestly had better from street vendors. The service was slow, and the food was just average.

For dessert, I decided to try this infamous frozen hot chocolate. I saw it on the Food Network, and it is supposedly the reason that Marilyn Monroe loved this place. Honestly, what I got was chocolate milk with ice. I didn't think it was good at all.

The only reason I can imagine anyone might enjoy this place is its historical value. It looks like an old fashioned ice cream parlor right down to the tables and chairs. There are photos on the wall of New York history and of different celebrities eating there. That was pretty cool. But if you come, plan on spending a lot of money for food that is Burger King quality at best. What I ate was $30 with tip for one person. That alone might make it not a family friendly restaurant, and it certainly isn't a wallet friendly restaurant. Your taste buds probably won't find it too friendly either, so unless you just can't resist this tourist trap, choose another restaurant.

A trip to New York isn't complete without having a Nathan's hot dog. Sure, you can get them at many airports and malls throughout the country now, but they seem to taste differently in New York.

You can find a Nathan's in every neighborhood. They are often in with Roy Rogers, Dunkin Donuts, and other multi-offering facilities. Or take a subway ride out to Coney Island in Brooklyn and visit the original.

The menu is simple. Hot dogs are their specialty. They also offer chicken sandwiches, burgers, and chicken nuggets, but don't waste your time. The hot dogs are the main attraction. And perhaps even better than the hot dogs at Nathan's are the french fries. These are the best fast food fries in the business.

This is a great place to grab a meal in a hurry. It is wallet friendly and kid friendly. What kid doesn't love hot dogs and fries? This is New York fast food at its finest so give it a try........at least once. You'll be glad you did!

This is a really fun musical that the whole family will love. The music is pop culture so many in the audience knew the melodies and words. Going to this show was a lot like going to Grease. It was fun Broadway, not serious Broadway like Rent.

The story takes place in Greece. A single mother is trying to deal with the fact that her daughter is getting married. At the same time her daughter is planning a bright future with the man she loves, her mother is haunted by her past and three men -- one of whom is the girl's father.

The play is set to a soundtrack of "Abba's Greatest Hits." You'll recognize songs like "Take a Chance on Me," "Knowing Me Knowing You," and "Dancing Queen."

The music and the lightheartedness of this show make it a Broadway favorite.

A trip to New York would not be complete without a trip to Saks. When you walk into Saks, you are walking into one of the most elite department stores in the country. You can expect to be treated like royalty, even if you're just there to browse at all the finer things you can't afford. People will be tripping over themselves just to help you out.

Saks employees are some of the top cosmetics consultants in the country. While I am there, I always manage to squeeze in a makeover at one of the more exclusive counters that aren't available where I live. This time I chose La Prairie of Switzerland. It was a real treat. They even put Caviar on my face. To say the least it was very interesting. For the ladies, having a makeover is a great way to experiment with new looks and learn new tricks. And since cosmetics cost the same at Saks as at the lower priced department stores like Dillard's, Foley's, etc., this is a great way to say you bought something at Saks.

Once I had my makeup, I headed up to the designer shops just to browse. It is fun to just take a few minutes and imagine what you'd do if you had Paris Hilton's interest to go shopping with. You can also find some sales that are deeply discounted.......if you're patient enough to look and lucky enough to have good timing.

Saks is very busy on the weekends, so I recommend you go midweek to avoid the crowds. It is then that you are more likely to do some star sightings too. Celebrities don't usually battle the weekend crowds.

While the men may not enjoy this destination so much, the women will be glad they came.

The whole reason I went to New York on this trip was to see Games 1 & 2 of the World Series. I had been to the World Series one other time in Atlanta, and I had been to Yankee games in the summer. But seeing a World Series game played in Yankee Stadium is a baseball lover's dream.

From the minute I pushed my way onto the subway, I knew that this wasn't just any game. The crowds were endless, and you could taste the excitement. I and 60,000 of my closest friends piled into Yankee Stadium to witness history. There would only be one 2003 World Series, and we were there in person. What a rush!

I didn't go to this game a Yankee fan. I respect the history of the organization, and I love the stadium because of everything that has happened there and all who played on that field. But since I live and breathe National League Baseball, it is hard to not have a soft spot for the underdog Marlins.

Yankee fans are correctly labeled as rabid, so I didn't let my feelings show. I just sat back and observed. Game 1 started out on a sour note with me when 60,000 people viewed the introduction of the anthem singer -- American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken. Mind you, I'm not the biggest Clay Aiken fan in the world, but how rude is it to boo someone who is there to honor the country with the national anthem? I really felt for the guy. What? Did they want Ruben instead? He did a great job, but the crowd was more inspired by the Air Force flyover than his beautiful performance of that very difficult song.

The natives got even more restless when the Yankees started losing. I thought it might be better in game 2 since the Yankees won, but then the fans were complaining that they didn't win by enough.

All in all, this was a true experience for a baseball fan such as myself. However, non-Yankee fans may want to limit this to one visit in a lifetime. If you can get a ticket, though, do it once. You'll be glad you did!

I do want to take a minute to write about the stadium itself. It is called The House That Ruth Built. It opened in the 1920s. I believe there are only two stadiums older: Fenway in Boston and Wrigley in Chicago.

From a historical standpoint, so much has happened here, and so many great players have taken to this field. The Yankees have won more World Championships than any team in baseball. There have been no-hitters, records made and broken, perfect games, and legends born here. Think of guys like Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson, Roger Clemens, and current Yankees Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, and so many others. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Yankees own a big chunk of baseball history!

This history can be relived by arriving at the park early and going to Monument Park. There is a shrine to every great Yankee there. Every guy who's had his number retired is represented in the park. It is a great place to take you child to teach him or her the history of the great sport of baseball.

If you can't make it to a Yankee game (although I highly encourage you to), you can take a stadium tour. They operate on days when there is no game or during the winner. You'll get to visit Monument Park and other special sites in the stadium and hear the stories that many generations have witnessed.

Getting there is easy too. Three subway trains service the stadium -- the 4, B, and D. The stop is 161st Street and Yankee Stadium. You'll be behind the outfield bleachers when you come off the subway. If you're going to a game, follow the masses to an entrance gate and go on in. If you want to take a tour, walk around until you find the Yankees offices for information. There are three tours available at varying prices.

For more information on tours or schedules, I suggest you visit the New York Yankees website. That will tell you everything you want to know.

St. Paul's is known as "The Little Chapel that Stood" by people all around the world. This is the Episcopal Church that was the center of operations for the Ground Zero rescue missions.

The church has a long history before 9/11. It was founded in the 1700s and is Manhattan's oldest public building in continuous use. Former President George Washington regularly worshiped here, and his pew is still marked. The church became a place of rest and comfort after the tragedy.

The one thing that captured me the most was how this little church managed to remain standing while all the skyscrapers around it were heavily damaged or destroyed. The church is literally across the street from Ground Zero so it is amazing to see it standing.

People of any faith can find meaning in visiting this church. They have a museum of sort set up throughout the sanctuary. It featured the church's role in the 9/11 rescue efforts. For those of you who don't, know, St. Paul's is where the Ground Zero workers came to rest and eat. The fire fighters' equipment scratched up the white pews. After the rescue efforts concluded, the church was repainted, but the pews were left as is to remind us of all that had happened there.

I found the church by accident really. I got off the subway wanting to see Ground Zero before new construction began. When I got off the subway, there was a church to my right that just drew me in. I was very glad it did. The Ground Zero Ministry Exhibition taught me more about the tragedy and the workers' efforts that followed than any newspaper or history class could.

If you are visiting New York, please take the time to visit St. Paul's Chapel. The exhibit is still running. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 9am-4pm. Admission is free, but the church does have a donation box if you are so inclined. They have Sunday Eucharist at 8am.

To get to the church, take the 2,3,4,5 or A to Fulton St-Broadway Nassau, the 6 to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, the E to Chambers, or the R to Cortlandt Street. The church is located on Church St. between Fulton St. and Vesey St., opposite the east side of the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan.

If you are in New York before construction begins, hop on a downtown train and see this site. I went down there not to be touristy or to be disrespectful. I honestly felt like that would be the only way I would truly understand the magnitude of the tragedy. We've all seen the footage time and time again, but that pales in comparison to seeing this gaping hole where these two amazing buildings once stood.

There really isn't a lot to do at Ground Zero. The viewing platforms are no more. The area is all fenced in, but you can see through parts of the fence and through gaps in places where the tragedy occurred. There are banners with all the victims' names placed on the fences along with the history of the construction of the World Trade Center and photos from 9/11 and the rescue efforts that followed. The first thing I saw was a big US flag proudly flying over the site. It was hard to miss.

You can walk around 2 blocks of the site to look at the photos that have been a makeshift monument. You can also linger and read the names of those who died. It is a somber experience, but one definitely worth a morning's visit. When you're done, don't miss out on St. Paul's Chapel on Church Street just across the street from the site. . . and the big American flag I mentioned before. See my review for more information.

This won't be the most fun thing you'll do in New York, but it will make the biggest impression. It is emotional and sad and evokes so many feelings that I can't put into words. I'm sure you'll feel the same on your visit.

In closing, I want to say that I hope I never have to witness such a site again. I can say that I am glad I did see it though. I liken it to Pearl Harbor. You get an even better understanding of it once you're standing at it. Thos of you who have been know what I mean.

Thanks for your time in reading this.