4th of July in NYC

Our 4th of July weekend was really a weekend of simple pleasures. Saturday we got out and explored other neighborhoods in Manhattan, mainly in the downtown area. First we made our way to the 9/11 site, and observed all of the 9/11 Memorial work going on there. Then we walked up through Tribeca, SoHo and Greenwich Village. In SoHo, we stopped for a rest at Broome St. Bar (located at Broome St. and W. Broadway - seems to be a trend here to name a bar after the cross street) and had some refreshing beers before making our way on to Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. By the end of the day, we felt like we had experienced a good part of the southern tip of the island.

Our 4th of July Sunday started out with a really awesome brunch at what is quickly becoming our favorite place, Henry's. Later that afternoon we met our friend Noelle at The Boat Basin Cafe, a wonderful restaurant/bar overlooking the Hudson, for some drinks before heading out to the bank of the Hudson to meet more friends for a 4th of July potluck of sorts, where I debuted my homemade red velvet cupcakes (of which I am very proud!). They were a hit :) Then of course we all watched the Macy's firework show; I think the smiley face fireworks were the favorite of the crowd.

On Monday, Matt and I spent a nice morning with bagels and coffee at a cute little cafe in Riverside Park overlooking the river and reading the New York Times. Later that afternoon we met up with friends at their awesome pool deck for some fun, food and drinks. It was a very welcome retreat from the record-breaking heat we are having in NYC!

We also had another semi-celebrity sighting on Monday: Dennis Haysbert - think Allstate commercial guy, the President on "24" or the character Jonas Blane on "The Unit".

As I said, a weekend of simple pleasures but it was sooo nice. :)