What To Do When Parents Visit NYC

My parents arrived for a week's visit last Saturday, and we've been together 24 hours for the last three days. Since they don't share many of my interests, I've been racking my brains to think up places and activities that they may enjoy. Mum loves to shop, and dad likes to take in new places. This is what we have done so far:

Sat. Aug 11, 2007
5 p.m.-They arrived on the Apex Bus at Allen Street. Walked round Chinatown: East Broadway, Mott Street up to Prince Street. Mother bought dried ingredients for making soups.
Dinner-Nonya Restaurant: roti canai, Hainanese chicken, kangkong belachan

Sun. Aug 12, 2007
Breakfast-Subway omelette sandwiches
Morning-Shopping at South Street Seaport and Century 21.
Late lunch-Panini place: tuna melt panini, smoked turkey panini, Asian sesame chicken and ginger salad, spinach salad
Afternoon-Rested at home
Evening-Watched Spamalot
Supper-Chinese takeout place: Cantonese wanton noodle, beef stew noodle and fishball noodle

Mon. Aug 13, 2007
Breakfast-MacDonald's pancakes and big breakfast
Morning-Bloomingdale's
Lunch-Pan-asian place along Lexington Avenue: house fried rice, shrimp tempura
Afternoon-Jewish Museum
Tea-the Tea Box at Takashimaya along 5th Avenue
Afternoon-St. Thomas Church, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center
Dinner-Penang in Chinatown: pipa duck (crispy and tasty), Hokkien char kway teow, sambal eggplant

Tue. Aug 14, 2007
Breakfast-Subway omelette sandwiches
Morning & Afternoon-Shopping at Woodbury Commons (vast shopping mall an hour from NYC)
Dinner-Congee Village: frog leg congee, sliced fish with preserved egg congee, steamed bean curd with sliced chicken
Evening-Walked around Lower East Side, up Ludlow Street

Congee Village was an unexpected hit with my parents. The food was cheap, and, after many heavy meaty meals, they appreciated the plainness of congee, or what the Cantonese calls, "clearness."

Comments

Anonymous said…
This post makes me think of my father, who can remember details of meals he ate in restaurants decades ago.
10:00 PM
Jee Leong said…
I usually have a poor memory of what I ate, but I guess this time I felt responsible...
6:42 AM
Anonymous said…
this post makes me miss new york. guess it got under my skin after all, despite the rude pple.
11:42 AM
Jee Leong said…
It gets into the bloodstream.
7:25 AM
Lee Herrick said…
i love NYC, even though i've only visited a couple of times. sounds like a great visit!
1:49 AM
Jee Leong said…
Yes, my parents had a good time, to my relief. It'd be nice to meet up if you ever come this way again.
10:58 AM
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