Ultimate Harry Potter World Travel Guide: Diagon Alley
Ultimate Harry Potter World Travel Guide: Diagon Alley
Like I said before, I am an absolute huge Harry Potter geek and loved everything about visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter this year. There are 2 locations for Harry Potter world—Diagon Alley and Hogwarts/Hogsmeade. Diagon Alley is located in Universal Studios towards the back of the park. Visiting this part of Harry Potter World blew my mind. Here are some things to make sure you see when you’re there!
London, The Red Phone Booth, The Knight Bus, King’s Cross Station, and Grimmauld Place
Even before you enter Diagon Alley, you’re able to step into the magical world of Harry Potter by seeing little parts of “London” right outside the entrance to Diagon Alley.
See the outside of The Leaky Cauldron and the sign that muggles seem to miss. It gives you a visual taste of what you are about to experience when you step behind the walls.
Step inside the Red Phone Booth that is near The Leaky Cauldron and The Knight Bus right outside of Diagon Alley. Once inside, if you dial the code “MAGIC” on the phone, you will hear the voicemail recording of the Ministry of Magic!
The Knight Bus comes fully equipped with the creepy Jamaican shrunken head in the front of the bus, as well as the bus boy, who is always giving people a good laugh. Step up and talk to him and then walk around to the back of the bus and get a look inside The Knight Bus! It has all the beds and luggage just like in the movie.
The entrance to King’s Cross Station is just outside of Diagon Alley and looks absolutely majestic. You will need to have a park hopper pass to get into the station and ride the train to Hogwarts/Hogsmeade (do this if only for 1 day because it is so worth it!). Once you are in King’s Cross Station, you will get a chance to “walk through the wall” of Platform 9 ¾. I was lucky enough that no one was behind me, and my friend got an awesome video of me entering the magical world through the wall. It is so cool and whatever technology they used for this visual effect makes me really happy. Kudos Universal Studios engineers!!!
Just before you go into Diagon Alley, step over to the town houses of Grimmauld Place and stand outside of #12, which is the house of Black. Look above the door, and every minute or so you will see Creature peeking his head out and watching all the muggles walk by. Such a creepy looking guy!
Inside Diagon Alley
Stepping behind those magical walls into Diagon Alley might have been one of the happiest moments of my life. The entire vibe in there is like you are literally in the movie and in Diagon Alley. They even have the music playing to set the mood! It is beautiful...
First thing’s first: Go buy an interactive wand. If you want the Ultimate Harry Potter World experience, you’re going to need a wand to go around and cast spells. Let the wand pick you! **Secret**: You don’t have to buy the wand at Olivander’s wand shop. They sell them in a few different locations throughout Harry Potter World. We went to a shop called “Wands by Gregorovitch” that is just around the corner from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and they had the entire selection there with no line to wait in.
Inside Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, they make it look and feel just like the real store. Look up at the top of the ceiling and see 2 awesome details: Fireworks on a screen and a Dolores Umbridge doll that screams, “I WILL. HAVE. ORDER!” as it rolls back and forth on a line.
Step into The Leaky Cauldron for some quintessential Harry Potter/English food. You can even try Butter Beer (unfortunately not really beer/doesn’t have alcohol, more of a cream soda) or Pumpkin Juice (very sweet and tasty like apple cider with pumpkin spices).
Follow the dark alley and sign into Knockturn Alley for some creepy views of this part of the city. They have moving “Wanted” signs for evil characters like Bellatrix Lestrange and many other death eaters.
Borgin and Burkes is in Knockturn Alley and you can come in here for your typical villain-type souvenirs. They even have the Vanishing Cabinet in the back of the store and you can hear the bird chirping from inside the walls!
About every 15-20 minutes, the dragon above Gringotts Bank roars loudly and breathes fire out of his mouth! It is so great to see, so make sure you have your camera ready!
You can actually shop in many of the stores along Diagon Alley. Even if you don’t buy anything, it is still great to stop in and feel like you’re getting ready for your year at Hogwarts. There is a boutique to buy robes (also a talking mirror in this boutique!) and other Hogwarts apparel, there is an ice cream shop, and even a place to buy Butter Beer and other beverages.
Stop and take a seat in Hagrid’s motorcycle right next to Gringotts Bank.
The ride at Gringotts Bank is a very cool one that you shouldn’t miss. To save time waiting, try the single riders line if you really don’t mind riding alone or if you don’t have the Express Pass. The technology and engineering that has gone into these new rides is so impressive. They use holograms and lots of other modern technology to make it a unique experience. The inside of Gringotts even looks like the actual bank—goblins and all!
Around the corner from Gringotts, there is a Money Exchange shop and you can go in to exchange money for Harry Potter currency. There is a goblin that sits at the top of the desk when you walk in who is interactive with the guests and talks to people. You can ask him questions and he will answer however he feels is most appropriate. Some of his responses are pretty comical too.
See the creepy mermaids from Goblet of Fire on top of the water fountains near Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. They even shoot out water from the top of the fountain every so often.
The best part of visiting these parks is seeing this fairy-tale world come to life. Enjoy seeing all the little details that went into making it a reality, and relax with a Pumpkin Juice or Butter Beer at the end of the day. I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!
Click Here for things to do to make your trip the best experience!
Click Here for the Hogwarts and Hogsmeade guide!
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Ultimate Harry Potter World Travel Guide
The Ultimate Harry Potter World Travel Guide
Anyone who knows me knows that I am (unashamedly) a huge Harry Potter fan. I’m talking, like, a super huge nerdy fan. One of the peak moments of my year (and probably decade) was visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. It was everything I wanted it to be and more.
This is the 1st edition of a 3-part series to my Ultimate Harry Potter World Travel Guide. Here you'll find info on how to make the most of your time in the parks when visiting Harry Potter World.
TOP 7 THINGS TO DO TO HAVE AN ULTIMATE HARRY POTTER WORLD EXPERIENCE
Get a park hopper pass!!! I cannot express how crucial this is if you want to have your ultimate Harry Potter experience. There are Harry Potter attractions in both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios that you will want to see.
PLUS there is the Hogwarts Express train that connects both of the parks and you cannot ride this train unless you have a park hopper pass. I know tons of people who didn’t get the pass at first, and ended up buying it at some point during their stay. It is worth it—trust me.
Download “The Official Universal Orlando Resort App” on your smart phone. Not only is this app a perfect map of both of the parks, but it also gives you pretty exact wait times of all the rides in the park. I was addicted to using this app when I went and found that the wait times on the app were all very accurate. (It also helped navigate my friend and I when we had had a few too many cocktails after lunch...) It is great if you want to navigate your day based on location/wait time!
Buy an interactive wand at Olivander’s OR (which is even better), there are locations through Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade with shorter lines that you can buy the same exact wands with no line to wait in.
“But why buy a wand?” you ask. Firstly, because they are awesome exact replicas of the wands from the movies; but secondly because there are stations hidden around the park in Harry Potter World that you can actually cast spells and make things come to life, move, shift, squirt water, etc. And let me tell you—it is so much fun to do.
You will get a map of both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley with locations of all the stations. Simply point your wand towards the sensors and say the magic phrase! And don’t worry about looking like a weirdo (I’m in my 20s and did this next to kids) because everyone else around you is nerding out and loves it just as much as you do. (No kidding, there are grown adults with Hogwarts robes running around the park and it is so cool.) Expecto Patronum!
SINGLE RIDERS LINE!!! This is no longer a best-kept secret of visiting the parks; however, I highly recommend (unless you have some inclination with having to be with your party at every second of the trip) jumping in the single riders line at any attraction that allows it. You will definitely cut your wait time in half and sometimes more. On some of the attractions, we even got to ride it 3-4 times in a row because we just kept getting back in the single riders line.
Consider the Express Pass option. If you’re visiting the park at a peak time of year and you really want to stay with your party at all times and avoid the long lines, I would suggest looking into purchasing the Express Pass for the park. You will fly by in the lines and get the most out of your day.
We visited the park in February, so it wasn’t that busy and we didn’t find it totally necessary to have the Express Pass. They have 2 options of the pass: Unlimited Uses or Single Use. Cost obviously varies and can be expensive, but in some cases it is so worth it.
Ride the Hogwarts Express!!! The train takes you from one park to the other and has a cute visual show in your cabin going both ways. Like I mentioned earlier, you can only get on the train if you have a park hopper pass. So get the park hopper!!
Dress comfortably and bring as little as possible to the parks. A nice feature they have at the parks is free, rentable lockers to put your things in right before the rides. But the lines can get so long and you don’t want to waste time with that!
These are just some of the suggestions I have after my ultimate weekend there. Obviously, based on the time of year, wear appropriate clothing, shoes, sunscreen, etc. But the most important thing is to have fun!! The park is so magical (seriously these engineers did an amazing job at making it come to life) and you are going to feel like you stepped right into the movies—music and all!
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Indoor Skydiving in Chicago
Indoor Skydiving with iFLY
A few days ago, my mom told me that she had a brunch surprise planned for me on a Friday at 9am. Not being a morning person, I rolled my eyes at the idea of having a wake up so early to go somewhere for “brunch” at that hour. My mind was blown when we drove up to what she actually had in store...
She had signed us up for an indoor skydiving session at iFLY Chicago, which is located just out of the city in Rosemont. I instantly thought, “Wow...I officially have the coolest mom ever!!”
Our indoor skydiving session started out with a quick training video and training session from our instructor. They show you the proper way to get in and out of the wind tunnel, the proper way to move your body around, and answer any other questions the students have. I went in knowing absolutely nothing and left being a total expert.
After the instructions, it was time to suit up and get in the tunnel. They provide you with your suit, goggles, helmet, and earplugs. A typical admission will get you about three 1-minute turns up in the wind tunnel with the instructor. However, you can pay a little extra and get 2-minute turns, which is what my mom and I did. It was so much more worth it to do the longer turns.
The experience was so exhilarating and fun. They even have a camera that takes pictures and videos of you while you are flying! I’ve never been skydiving (too afraid of heights), but indoor skydiving was just perfect for me. It was a great “brunch” treat from my mom to start off the weekend.
Click HERE to find an iFLY near you!
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Cake Decorating in Chicago
Cake Decorating with Give Me Some Sugar
Looking for a sweet treat in the city or something fun to do on the weekend? Look no further than Roscoe Village’s Give Me Some Sugar’s Cake Decorating Classes. This adorable cake studio is available for all skill levels and offers cake decorating, cake ball/pops classes, fondant classes, cookie decorating classes, and so much more!
My mother has just about everything that a woman can ask for, so I started gifting her “events” and things for us to do as holiday presents. Instead of the typical socks or cookbook gift that I could get her, I started giving her vouchers for fun activities for us to do together.
We stopped in at Give Me Some Sugar a few weeks ago to try out their intro to cake decorating class. It was a fun class that lasted about 2.5 hours with all materials included.
Give Me Some Sugar is so beautifully decorated inside (I felt a cute modern-day Marie Antoinette vibe with all the decor in there) and a fun stop for people looking for a unique activity to do through the week.
During the Cake Decorating class, we learned how to properly make the cake, create designs, and use the different colors that were supplied. The instructors are there to help through the entire process and to answer any questions you have.
The ladies at Give Me Some Sugar give you all your supplies and walk you through the entire process of what you need to do for your class! Everything that you make, you get to take home with you. My mom and I are even gluten-free eaters and found out that you can order gluten-free products if you call ahead of time--which I definitely will be doing when I go back! Just wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and standing in for a while.
Click HERE to see cake decorating classes from Give Me Some Sugar
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Flying Trapeze School in Chicago
Trapeze School in Chicago
This year I’ve been attempting to get out of my comfort zone with everything I do and expand my horizons. Think a la “Yes Man” where I try to say, “Yes” to things that I probably wouldn’t normally do. One of my adventurous girlfriends asked me if I wanted to do a flying trapeze class with her here in Chicago. Keeping true to my new mantra, I said, “YES!” We signed up for a class through the Trapeze School NY Chicago, which you can check out HERE.
As someone who is a little nervous with heights, it was such an exhilarating feeling to try this new flying trapeze activity. I was put at ease by the fact that you are totally strapped in with a net beneath you and there are trained professionals all around.
The first jump, I totally freaked out and screamed the entire way. The sensation was so crazy and unnatural! But after a few tries, I got the hang of it. The instructors were so amazing and really helpful. They gave everyone step-by-step instructions for what to do at what time. You're totally safe and in good hands with them.
The class lasted about 2 hours and we each got to go at least 5 times on the trapeze. Definitely wear comfortable clothing, longer pants (I wore yoga pants), and socks that cover your ankles and heels (some of the tricks can hurt if you don’t have this!).
It is such a fun activity to do in the city! In the summer, they even take the class outside and you get to do the tricks out in the fresh air. I'll definitely be going back again soon! See local classes and times for the trapeze school in Chicago HERE.
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Women In Travel Summit 2015
“Let travel be thy medicine, and medicine be thy travel.”
Last week I ventured over to one of my favorite cities, Boston, for the Women in Travel Summit 2015 (WITS). It was hosted by the women’s travel group, Wanderful, which was formerly the Go Girl Travel Network that is head up by Beth Santos. The conference was held at The Revere Hotel, which was wonderfully located right near the theatre district and steps away from Boylston Street and the Back Bay (MY FAVE!).
WITS brought women from all over the world who each have 1 passion in common: a love for travel. There were all sorts of inspirational and interesting women there from bloggers to entrepreneurs to women who just love traveling! The female empowerment energy that was in the room all weekend was intoxicating!
Before we arrived, we received itineraries with different talks that were happening through the weekend. They had 3 main categories to choose what session you wanted to attend: Blogger Talks, Entrepreneur Talks, and Traveler Talks. Each session focused on different topics such as SEO/writing workshops, how to maximize your business and blog, and tips for solo travel. The speakers and topics were really great and I loved how you could pick which session you wanted to attend based on your needs.
It was so great to spend the weekend with all of the amazing women we met and hear their stories. And as always, it was so wonderful to be back in Boston! I can’t wait for WITS 2016 that is going to be in Irvine, California!
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Adventure Park in Costa Rica
Adventure Park in Costa Rica with ADR
For those of you who don’t know, I’m a wee bit (ok... kind of a lot) scared of heights. When I signed up to take a Costa Rican adventure vacation, I knew that something with heights was going to be involved. On our second adventure day, I was told that we were going to be doing some kind of jungle adventure. “Jungle adventure?!” I thought. I had no idea what was in store... I put my brave face on and decided to face this day with courage. (Check out my face and how brave I look!)
We did the Adventure Park Tour with ADR (same company as the water rafting tour) and it was definitely money well spent. The tour guides who led us on the adventure trip picked us up bright and early at our villa and drove us into the mountains. About halfway up the mountain, we switched vehicles going from a large van to a huge open-window SUV because the terrain was so bumpy. Suffice to say, it was so much fun because we were hanging off the back enjoying the crazy ride with our crew while taking in the view.
When we got to a stopping point, we got out of the car and the guides walked us through the jungle while explaining interesting facts about the wildlife around us. It was so peaceful (at this point) to take in all of the beauty of the nature. The sounds, the smells, the views... It was all stunning! PURA VIDA!
We arrived at the campsite and they gave us all of our equipment for the day—harnesses, helmets, gloves, etc.—and we were off! They led us through a well-designed trail that had different activities at each stop. They had set up ziplines, repelling, waterfall exploring, Tarzan swings, and even ziplines that you go over the water and then unhook yourself and fall in! I totally conquered my fear of heights this day! It wasn’t too bad for me, and the fun experience made it all worth it.
One of the best parts of this tour was the team that led us through the day. They were really good at explaining how to do everything (and do it safely), very educated on Costa Rica and the location, super funny and nice, and very accommodating to everyone’s needs. They even had an awesome photographer who followed us around all day to capture all the moments. This was a great 1-day activity and I recommend it for anyone who loves adventure or wants to try something out with a group or their family (plus they feed you at the end of the day). Wear comfy shoes and clothes!
Check out more of ADR’s tours HERE.
*Most photos this day were taken by the ADR photographer.
Waterfall Tour in Costa Rica
Adventure Trip: Waterfall Tour in Costa Rica!
The Waterfall Tour in Costa Rica is world renowned for a reason. Mike, the expert/waterfall guru in Costa Rica, took our group around the area one day to explore and play at some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica. One of the waterfalls was even voted by National Geographic as one of the best in the world! We were even given the opportunity to jump off of the waterfalls (from 6-75 feet!!), slide down a natural rock slide, and swing off of rope swings into the water.
The Waterfall Tour started bright and early and our first stop was a lovely little waterfall and pond in a quiet area of the mountains. I was told that it normally gets very busy on the weekends with local visitors, but today it was empty just for us! There was a rope swing set up at the side of the pond that we were able to climb up and access. My fear of heights kicked in majorly at this point, but I still did it! It was such an exhilarating feeling. Mike showed us all up by doing multiple back flips into the water from the rope swing, while the rest of us (ok—just me) were screaming and flailing our legs into the water.
Next stop was another beautiful series of waterfalls that we did some jumping off of (I did 2 at 6 feet and 12 feet) and we also slid down a natural slide. It was so picturesque to be in the middle of the jungle while playing on all of these waterfalls and rocks. I definitely recommend wearing good water shoes (not tennis shoes/sneakers) if you’re going to do this. I wore standard tennis shoes and mine were slippery, so I ended up having to take them off and walk around in my socks.
We stopped briefly for lunch at a small hole in the wall restaurant somewhere in the mountains that was owned by a family who operates a quaint little restaurant in the front of their home. As a Puerto Rican who believes my Grandmother’s cooking is the best in the world, I have to say the food they made for us was amazing. They grow a lot of the items right in their backyard and it was so fresh and delicious! I had some sort of arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) entree and it was to die for.
Mike mentioned that he was saving the best waterfall for last. I didn’t know exactly what he was talking about until we arrived at the final waterfall destination. This waterfall left me speechless. I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of this location. Words and pictures just don’t do it justice. It was honestly the most gorgeous waterfall I’ve ever seen in my life.
My favorite part was swimming out in the middle of the water by myself, looking up to the sky and waterfall, and floating there basking in the beauty. It was one of those unbelievably peaceful moments that I was filled with so much gratitude for being exactly where I was at the moment. My friends even snuck a picture so I can look at it and remember it forever.
The Waterfall Adventure Tour in Costa Rica was so much fun and definitely a MUST DO if you are a nature lover. It took the whole day from around 8am until 5pm and included meals and drinks. You can even bring a little backpack of things if you need, but I wouldn't recommend that because things get wet.
Water Rafting in Costa Rica
Water Rafting in Costa Rica
Water rafting in Costa Rica was one of the most epic adventures that my friends and I tried out while we were visiting Manuel Antonio. We went on a tour with the Amigos Del Rio (ADR), who was absolutely amazing with us!
Water Rafting - Amigos Del Rio
They picked us up at our location, drove us into the jungle, and got us all ready with our equipment by the river. They sat us 2 guests per raft with 1 guide in the back. My friend and I both hopped in the front seat so we could be fully engaged in the action! Our poor guide even ended up having to do most of the work while the 2 of us were in the front laughing, talking, not paying attention, or screaming!
The first thing that was so amazing about this adventure was taking in all of the gorgeous scenery that Costa Rica has to offer. The tranquility, beauty, and excitement that you feel while water rafting down the river were breathtaking and indescribable.
The second best thing was that they have a photographer who follows your group around and takes amazing action shots of you while you are on the adventure! You don’t even have to worry about taking any photos or bringing your camera along. Better than risking your phone or camera getting wet!
I totally recommend Amigos Del Rio for water rafting in Costa Rica! Check out their info HERE.
*All photos were taken by Amigos Del Rio photographer*
Surfing in Costa Rica
Surfing in Costa Rica
The beautiful country of Costa Rica attracts visitors and locals alike to join in on the many unique adventures that the country has to offer. One of my personal favorite activities to do while visiting the gorgeous country was surfing!
Dante's Water Sports - Surfing in Manuel Antonio
If you’re staying near Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica and you’re looking to go surfing, look no further than Dante’s Water Sports. Dante and his crew were so amazing to our group while we were visiting. They picked us up from our villa, drove us to the beach, and immediately started our lessons on how to ride the waves.
Dante’s team is super friendly, professional, and helpful to newbies, intermediate, and professional surfer types. They provide you with a board and a surf shirt to use while you are out in the water. Since we were newbies, they taught us the basic elements of how to stand up on the board and paddle out, and then they took us out in the water for hours of fun! I even got up on my first try!!
After riding the waves for a while, we stepped back on the beach and they provided our group with fresh pineapple and water. Dante drove us back to our villa after the fun day of surfing in Costa Rica. I highly recommend Dante’s Water Sports for a fun activity to try while you’re visiting Costa Rica!
New Beginnings
This week I took a giant leap of faith... I decided to leave my 9-5 job in order to pursue my passions full time! I could not be happier with this decision and am so excited for the journey that's ahead of me. I have decided to focus my efforts completely on The City Sidewalks full time and pursue some freelancing options. I am so happy (and scared and excited) for this and thank everyone who has followed along and been there to support me! Cheers to this unbelievable next chapter! So thrilled to share the adventure with everyone!
*Had to post a pic of me at one of my favorite spots in the world for this announcement
Finding Hobbies You Love
Find 3 Hobbies You Love: One to make you money, one to keep you in shape, and one to be creative.
One of the things that always seems to keeps me on track with my goals and overall happiness is having different hobbies. Over the years, I have taken up a number of different hobbies from learning French to taking dance classes. It is so important to have various activities in your life that feed your soul and spirit. Few people are even lucky enough to call their hobbies their jobs.
I recently came across this quote and it really resonated with me. As 2015 began, I made some goals for the year in order to become my optimal self. This mantra of having different hobbies that addresses all the main parts of our lives is so important to keep in mind. Obviously, it is important to make money to survive; it is important to take care of our bodies and stay in shape and be healthy; and lastly, it is important to have an outlet that you can be creative and express yourself. Assuming that you are doing each of these things in a healthy and safe manner, this mantra can be a great benchmark for how you are doing to become your optimal self!
For me, I am currently working on some freelance work with different creative artists, which is my hobby for making money; I have The City Sidewalks that is my hobby for being creative; and now I just need to find the perfect and consistent hobby for staying in shape this year...
Soho House Chicago
Soho House staycation and relaxing hard this weekend - Chicago, Illinois
This last weekend I stayed at the Soho House Chicago for a nice (and much needed) staycation after the hectic holiday season. The Soho House is known for having high quality service to their members and guests alike, so I was very excited to try out their accommodations as a hotel guest this time.
First of all, I blame the bed and pillows for the reason why I barely moved all weekend. The combination of all the huge, fluffy pillows and that unbelievably comfortable mattress was a recipe for greatness. I would recommend staying at the Soho House solely just to experience this. The rest of the amenities provided in the room were wonderful as well. They even provide a lovely tea set that you can utilize in your room during your stay. A notable mention also goes out to the amazing rainforest shower that is in the bathroom, which came fully stocked with every Cowshed product possible. Smelling all of those delicious scents of shampoos, conditioners, body wash, and body scrubs made me want to run downstairs to the spa and buy every last bottle! It was such a nice touch and much better than having to use the tiny hotel sized products that you normally get while traveling.
The Soho House definitely did not disappoint me during my stay as a hotel guest there. It was as relaxing, lovely, and elegant as I hoped it to be. I would gladly return to do a staycation there again! Click HERE to check out Soho House Chicago.
Happy New Year 2015!
Happy New Year to all! May your new year in 2015 be as sparkly and gorgeous as my city! - Chicago, Illinois
Whenever a new year begins, it is inevitable that we tend to reflect on the year that just ended. 2014 was a great year for me in terms of new beginnings and learning experiences. I created and developed The City Sidewalks from scratch, traveled to amazing places all over the world (from Paris to Athens to Montreal), met some wonderful people who made huge impacts on my life, and closed some other chapters in my life. The entire year was leading up to the beginning of this new year in 2015.
I'm so excited for the things to come in 2015--both personally and professionally. One of my biggest goals with The City Sidewalks in the new year is to start providing more value to our readers and followers. So definitely be on the lookout this year for some great, new posts! I also foresee some big changes in my career for this new year that everyone will have to stay tuned to--but they are all good changes! I would love to travel more to some exotic places I have never been (perhaps Southeast Asia or Istanbul) and continue to meet and network with interesting people around the world.
I truly hope that the new year in 2015 looks just as bright for you! If you're looking for a great way to kick start your new year, something that I always love doing is creating a mood board for the year ahead. The mood board is a collection of images you can put together for both your professional and personal goals. You can do this easily by searching the internet for images of things you want or are trying to work towards. Once you're done, print it out and put it up in your home or desk!
Cheers to 2015 and the new year! Let's work for a truly amazing year!
Sleep No More
“Sleep No More”
This weekend in New York, my friends took me to a unique NYC spot that I had never been to, but had seen in the hit show Gossip Girl. We spent an evening at The McKittrick Hotel, had dinner and drinks, and saw “Sleep No More.” The entire aesthetic of The McKittrick Hotel pretty much transports you to another world in itself, which is half of the experience. For those of you who have never heard of Sleep No More, it is an interactive play that basically breaks through another wall in the theatre realm and allows you to become part of the experience. Read on for an overview of my night there...
Arrival
When we arrived at 7PM sharp, we were directed into a seemingly creepy elevator off of the street in Chelsea, where the The McKittrick Hotel is located. This elevator took us up to the main floor, where we were directed down a corridor that had a distinct 1920s/1930s feel to it. Even all of the interior decor and hotel staff was complementing that 1920s/1930s look and feel. When you looked to the left while standing in the corridor, you would see a massive dining room complete with a dance area and stage, where the live band was playing. On the right of the hallway, there were little, private rooms that were you could eat dinner. All of those private rooms linked together to look like an old train’s dining car. We explored this floor, as well as the rooftop garden and bar, which was absolutely stunning (looked like a magical, secret garden).
Dinner
The three of us sat down for dinner and cocktails before the event in the main dining room, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The food was delicious (I would totally go back just for the food!) and the service staff was amazing. Not only were they dressed to the nines, but they also had actors walking around and interacting with guests as if they were really part of this hotel experience. All of it was leading up to the point where you “check in” to the hotel. I highly recommend doing dinner there before or after the play if you have the chance!
The Play
When it came time to start the play, we were required to check all of our belongings to their coat check, where you’re also given a playing card with a number or face on it. This is your ticket into the show. An actor comes and calls a series of numbers to follow them into the stairwell so you can begin your journey. Inside the stairwell, everyone is given a mask that you are required to wear for the remainder of the show. You are also directed to no longer speak for the duration of the show and encouraged to split up from your party in order to have your own unique experience. From there, they turn you loose and your journey begins.
There are 5 floors of the hotel for you to freely roam and explore. Each floor has different rooms and sets that collectively tell a story. The overall theme to this experience is a unique rendition of the famous play, “Macbeth.” You’re encouraged to roam from room to room, open drawers, read letters, and really immerse yourself in the experience. While you’re exploring, actors roam in and out of all the rooms while simultaneously performing these beautiful, interpretive moves that help tell the story. You can follow the actors from room to room, or explore other rooms and find other scenes that are taking place. The point is to have your own experience of the show and almost feel as if you’re a fly on the wall of this story that is being told. It is such a fun and exciting experience that left me feeling invigorated, vulnerable, and a bunch of other crazy emotions. *I definitely recommend wearing comfy shoes to this because of all the exploring (and maybe running around) you will do!
End
At the end, my friends and I reconvened back in the cocktail lounge and shared stories of what we saw, felt, and experienced. It was so cool to see and hear that the three of us each saw and did totally different things while we were inside. It made me want to go back to be able to see all of the things that I missed! The McKittrick Hotel/“Sleep No More” was easily one of the coolest things I’ve done while traveling and I highly recommend it if you’re in New York.
Hi, I'm Ana Rebeca! Welcome to The City Sidewalks. Here you’ll find tips on Travel, Lifestyle, and Wellness.
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