Broadway Show - RENT - New York City

No one can escape the gigantic ads and billboards plastered all over NYC, namely Times Square. These ads are trying to get you to go to their musical. Cats, Wicked, Mama Mia, RENT, The Lion King, Jersey Boys, etc, etc, etc. I am a lover of musicals, so I knew I could not get out of the city without going to a Broadway show. With much researching and budgeting, we decided on the Broadway musical, RENT!

RENT is a story of a bunch of friends, trying to survive the city of lights with diseases, homosexuality, and just a little change in their pockets. I read rave reviews about RENT and was so happy to be going! It's incredible, the theaters just off Times Square. If you weren't going to a Broadway show, you wouldn't know that this is where productions take place. Just tiny little theater-fronts mixed amongst everyday New York City buildings!

For these Broadway productions, the dress code varies. My family and I dressed up, but we saw ticket-holders wearing jeans and t-shirts. Maybe their motto is: "I don't care how you get here, just get here!"

After this awe-inspiring performance, I was itching to see another. Unfortunately just the one show was all time allowed us to see, but this experience will be etched in my mind forever as one of the best!

Tips on Broadway Musicals:

-Before your trip, look online for ticket deals!
-Buy tickets early!
-Don't take pictures inside the theater, even if the production hasn't started yet. The ushers will find you and confiscate your camera for the remainder of the performance!

5th Avenue - New York City

5th Avenue is a true shoppers paradise! Even someone going to NYC on a budget just can't stay away from the temptation! 5th Avenue runs parallel with Central Park along the east side, originating at Washington Square and running through midtown, and terminating at the Harlem River. 5th Avenue is a symbol of wealthy New York and is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive streets in the world. Two of the biggest department stores on 5th Avenue, in my opinion, are Saks 5th Avenue, and Macy's (which takes up a whole city block)!

5th Avenue is a very popular parade route. Parades that dominate 5th Avenue are the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. During the warm months, one will find parts of 5th Avenue blocks off almost every Sunday due to parades.

While in New York City, we stayed away from the department stores, but all along 5th Avenue were vendors selling different treasures on the streets. Great deals that we found from streets vendors were: purses, watches, jewelery, sunglasses, and wallets. Granted most of these items are off-brands, they are probably more than half the cost. I remember coming home with a purse, a bracelet, and a watch, all for just under $20!!

5th Avenue is a great stroll, especially after just coming from Central Park. 5th Avenue is another low maintenance attraction that will be sure to please everyone!

Tips on 5th Avenue:

- If you are shopping along the street, try bartaring. It may just work.

-This is true with any shopping....if you want to buy something, buy it now because you will most likely never get back to the store/vendor.