The ceremony will take place at 5:15 PM on Sunday, May 30, 2010, followed by a reception at the same location.
Alger HouseWe've reserved blocks of rooms at two hotels: one in Jersey City (a short PATH train ride away) and another a few blocks from the reception.
45 Downing Street
(its a narrow door on a tiny street)
New York City, NY 10014
Walking directions from the PATH and the Sheraton hotel are in the map to the right.
You can also find details of how to get here by air, car and train below. Once you're here, check out some of our favorite things to do. We've also put together a list of kid friendly attractions.Where to Stay
Four Points Sheraton - Soho
66 Charlton StreetTo book a room call and request the Dembiski/Mocarski Wedding Party
New York, NY 10013
(212) 229-9988
Rate: $189/night
Rooms blocked May 28 - 30th
Please reserve by April 29, 2010.
Jersey City Double Tree
455 Washington BlvdTo book a room call 1-800-222-TREE
Jersey City, NJ 07310
(201) 499-2700
Group Code: DMW
Rate: $139/night
Please reserve by 4/29/2010
Getting Here
By air
New York has 3 airports: La Guardia (LGA), John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Newark (EWR). The closest airport to both hotels and the wedding site is Newark, the farthest is JFK.A cab ride from all airports to the city will cost around $50, however, lower cost options like Super Shuttle (www.supershuttle.com) can be used as well.
By train
Amtrak trains go into New York – Penn Station (NYP). Please note that one of the stops right before NY Penn is called Newark Penn Station – which is still in New Jersey.When you arrive at Penn Station, you will find a taxi line at the 34th Street and 7th Avenue exit. A cab ride from NYP to the Four Points Sheraton - Soho will be around $20. A cab ride to the Jersey City Double Tree will be a bit more. New York Penn also offers access to the subway lines A,C,E – though the subway may be difficult to navigate with luggage.
By car
The best way to enter the city for either the Four Points Sheraton Soho or the wedding site is through the Holland Tunnel (link to google maps).The Jersey City Doubletree is also near the Holland Tunnel, but on the New Jersey side.
Our Favorite Things to Do Here
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met is possibly our favorite place in the city. See art and artifacts from all over the world including extensive collections of Greek and Egyptian art, including an intact Egyptian temple rescued prior to the building of the Aswan Damn. Also find extensive Greek and Roman architecture and statues as well as more modern exhibits such as the reconstructed lobby of a Japanese hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. If it's a nice day, make sure you hit the roof garden and have a drink overlooking central park.The Cloisters and Fort Tyron Park
An extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters is located in the Inwood section of Northern Manhattan and features art and artifacts that hail from as far back as the 14th century. The best way to visit the cloisters is by subway (A train to 190th). Also enjoy Ft. Tyron Park and it’s beautiful year-round gardens overlooking the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades State Park.Central Park
Central Park is a must see. Take a carriage ride through the South end of the park by catching a horse and buggy at the corner of 59th Street and 5th Avenue. Other highlights include Strawberry Fields, the Resevoir, and the place that we got engaged – the King Jagiello Monument overlooking Turtle Pond.Yankee Stadium / Mets at Citifield
New York is home to both the Yankees and the Mets, as well as two brand new stadiums. Preliminary schedules show the Yankees in town May 28th – June 3rd and the Mets in town May 25th – 27th. The best way to both stadiums is by taking the subway. Yankee Stadium is serviced by the B,D, and 4 trains (161st Street Yankee Stadium stop). Citifield is serviced by the 7 train (Willets Point Shea Stadium stop).Other good touristy stuff around the city
Broadway Shows
Choose from a wide assortment of shows on Broadway near Times Square. Or, if you are looking for something a little less main stream, check out the off-Broadway or off- off- Broadway shows. Details about what's playing can be found lots of places, but Time Out New York's theater section is pretty good. Discount tickets for Broadway shows can also be obtained by visiting the TKTS booths at various locations around the city – including one in Times Square – though be prepared to wait. This is... more of a Michelle thing by the way.Brooklyn Bridge
A fun, if a bit crowded, walk across one of the most famous bridges in the country.Statue of Liberty
What more can you say? Make sure to check out the Ellis Island museum as well, it's very well done.Restaurants Near the Reception
New American cuisine. Fresh fish. Fantastic wine selection. Great desserts. Small Brazilian eatery. Reservations recommended. Amazing cocktails – try the cashew fruit drink. Great spot known for fresh fish and their specialty, the lobster roll. They don’t take reservations, but the wait isn’t usually long for small parties.Nightlife Near the Reception
Probably our favorite spot in the village (and one of Steve's favorite bars in NYC). Vol de Nuit offers a low key, inviting environment. Choose from one of the best selections of Belgian beers on tap in the city. Courtyard seating available if the weather is nice. New York’s Philadelphia bar. Your spot to kick back with a Phillies game and a Yuengling. Amazing old fashioned drinks. Best to go when its a little slow and let some of the best mixologists in the city come up with something creative for you.Food and Drink worth a bit of a hike
- Oyster Bar (Grand Central) - A little 80s but the Oysters here are awesome and its kind of a NY institution.
- Sushi Yasuda - Seriously fresh fish. The little red dots on the menu indicate the stuff that just swam through the front door.
- Lombardi’s - Better pizza than Grimaldi's, no matter what anyone says. Also, the oldest pizzaria in NYC.
- Stage Deli - Absurdly large and delicious sandwiches, right near times square.
- Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
- New Bo Thai
- Ferrarra’s Desserts
Kid Friendly Attractions
Rockefeller Center Area
Top of the Rock
A more recent lookout spot on the top of Rockefeller Center. Amazing view of Central Park. Daytime and evening hours.NBC Studio Tours
Visit the actual studio locations where NBC shows like Jay Leno and Saturday Night Live are filmed while learning the behind the scenes details about how the shows are put together!Nintendo World
A self-proclaimed “gaming paradise in the center of New York City.” Located in Rochefeller Center, Nintendo World offers over 10,000 square feet of hands-on entertainment.Empire State Building
Visit one of New York’s most iconic buildings. Head to the top for a lookout over the city. Warning: lines can get pretty long and its not the brightest place inside.Times Square Area
Times Square
You can spend hours walking through this area and looking at all of the unique stores.M&M World
Three floor store devoted entirely to M&Ms. Lots of fun toys and clothes. Also, choose from over 20 different M&M blends! Plus - the candy in this store is fresher than M&Ms from anywhere else!Toys R’ Us Times Square
Huge Toys R’ Us complete with an animatronic dinosaur, 8+ foot tall New York landmarks made out of Legos, and an indoor Ferris wheel that you can ride!Madam Tussauds
The famous wax museum has a New York branch!Central Park and Nearby
Central Park Zoo
Smaller than the Bronx Zoo (and cheaper too!), but very well done and conveniently located in the park. FYI - this is the zoo where the movie Madagascar is set!Central Park
Central Park is absolutely beautiful and a great place to take kids. There are lots of things to do there like catch and release fishing, row boats, swimming, and 20 different playgrounds. Go to http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageNavigator/kids_todo for the most up to date information. They also put up a small amusement park there every summer.Natural History Museum
Huge Natural History Museum on the West Side of Central Park. Includes all kinds of things from dinosaur bones to a planetarium. We recommend the free guided tours that leave every hour from the lobby. They’ll point out things like the broken rib on one of the T-Rex’s!FAO Schwartz
Classic toy store on the edge of Central Park. Huge collection of larger than life stuffed animals. Lots of unique toys. Make some music by dancing on the larger than life keyboard!A Little Bit out of the Way
Bronx Zoo
This zoo is amazing! The area itself is full of beautiful architecture, but there are also a number of very cool ways to view the animals, including a safari ride through Africa! Just be aware that some of the activities inside of the zoo include an additional fee.Dylan’s Candy Bar
Recently remodeled to be one of the biggest candy stores in the country, you can find all kinds of candy here from chocolates to gummy candies.Chelsea Piers Sports Complex
Slightly out of the way, but a one stop shop for all kinds of activities like driving ranges, ice skating, and bowling - all with a great view across the Hudson River.New York Water Taxi
The water taxi is meant to be a mode of commuter transportation, but is actually quite a nice boat to just enjoy. It leaves from a number of places in and around Manhattan and is a fun way to get to the DUMBO area of Brooklyn where Grimaldi’s Pizza and a great Ice Cream Shop (and other cute shops) are located, as well as an amazing park under the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. Boat tours are also available through other companies like Circle Line.South Street Seaport
Old time marketplace full of shops and restaurants. Also check out the small man-made beach they constructed on the East River. About four or five old boats are docked there for tour. During the summer, you may even bump into some live entertainment.Kid Friendly Places to Eat
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
1501 Broadway, at 44th St. 212-391-7100 You gotta try this place once. It’s loud, it’s huge, and it’s definitely Times Square. The food is a combination of Cajun and seafood (do you remember what Bubba loved to catch?). There’s a good children’s menu; you signal the waitress with a “Stop, Forrest, Stop” sign; and don’t even ask what happens if they find out you’ve never seen the movie. It’s best to ask for Mama Gump’s private room so you can have a little sanity.Carmine’s
2450 Broadway, near 90th St.212-362-2200
200 W. 44th St., near Broadway
212-221-3800
Great for an entire New York family (and, judging by the tourist load, every other family from here to the boondocks), Carmine’s serves up heaping platters of red-sauced, family-style pastas and parmigianas at bargain prices. No one leaves without a doggie bag.
Carnegie Deli
854 Seventh Ave., at 55th St.212-757-2245
Your child’s New York education isn’t complete until he or she has tried to finish a Carnegie sandwich. A local icon where many a kid has been introduced to his or her first corned-beef and pastrami.
Shake Shack
Madison Square Park (Madison Avenue & East 23rd Street)212-889-6600
Subways: N, R, or 6 to 23rd Street
Price: under $10
If you're in New York City on a beautiful day and want to enjoy some time outdoors, Shake Shack offers suprisingly delicious food at reasonable prices. Have a seat at one of the many tables, or take up some space on the park's grassy lawns with your family and enjoy Chicago style hot dogs, burgers and concretes at this Madison Square Park burger stand operated by Danny Meyer (of Eleven Madison Park, Union Square Cafe, and Tabla fame).
Dallas BBQ
Portions are huge, table manners are optional, and the barbecue is messy and delicious at these Manhattan institutions. Try the oversize loaf of onion rings with a “side” of slaw.Grilled Cheese NYC
168 Ludlow St., near Stanton St.212-982-6600
Who knew grilled cheese could be so gourmet? The laid-back staff at this small shop patiently waits and supplies complimentary treats (sorbet, chips, or carrots) as customers chew over a dizzying array of grilled-cheese specialties, ranging from “the classic” to meat-and-vegetable combos. Sweet-potato fries and icecream sandwiches earn major points with the kids.
Hard Rock Cafe
221 W. 57th St., near Broadway212-489-6565
hardrock.com
The Manhattan location of this chain boasts a pair of white feathered wings worn by Fiona Apple, and the black-and-white leather jacket that covered Michael Jackson in the classic Pepsi ad. Don’t plan on any heart-to-hearts while you munch hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, and salads: Both the music and the patrons are pretty raucous.
John’s Pizzeria
278 Bleecker St., near Seventh Ave. So.212-243-1680
408 E. 64 St., near First Ave.
212-935-2895
260 W. 44th St., near Eighth Ave.
212-391-7560
The granddaddy of Manhattan pizza parlors, John’s has arguably the best thin-crust pizza in the city. Add wonderful salad for the table, a side of pasta, a Shirley Temple, some beers, and everybody’s happy.
Peanut Butter & Co.
240 Sullivan St., near W. 3rd St.212-677-3995
There are nearly twenty ways to savor peanut butter at this kitschy West Village café, where you’ll be transported back to elementary school with offerings like ants on a log (raisin-studded peanut butter on celery) or the Elvis (a grilled peanut-butter sandwich with bananas, honey, and bacon—allegedly his favorite meal). Crusts optional.
Serendipity 3
225 E. 60th St., near Second Ave.212-838-3531
Heavy on the everything, including nostalgia, Serendipity 3’s whirlwind of antiques, toys, and kids is perfect for a little girl’s birthday party. Big burgers, towering sundaes, and drinks like apricot smushes are perennial favorites, but the must-try frozen hot chocolate is what everyone orders.
Stage Deli
1481 Second Ave., at 77th St.212-439-9989
There’s a steady parade of strollers at the Upper East Side branch of this 67-year-old New York institution. With lots of space inside, crayons and toys for the kids, and a menu that thankfully offers “half-sandwiches” of colossal classics like pastrami and corned beef, the Stage is super-easy and super-filling. Sandwiches are named for city VIPs like Rudy Giuliani and Derek Jeter, who survey the scene from a wall-long mural.
Two Boots
212-505-2276Another great pizza location!! A veritable Hollywood Squares of obscure celebs, auteurs, and fictional characters, the menu boasts pizzas like the Tony Clifton (wild mushrooms, vidalia onions, sweet red-pepper pesto, and mozzarella), the Mel Cooley (sun-dried tomatoes, basil, pesto, ricotta, and roasted peppers) and the Larry Tate (spinach, plum tomatoes, ricotta, and garlic on a white pie).
Read more: New York Kids' Restaurants -
New York Family Guide