Good evening, friends! And, happy MARCH! Did you know that March is my birthday month? March 18th is the big day, but your happy birthdays and can begin any time now 
(I kid entirely. I actually get sort of uncomfortable when the birthday-spotlight is on me, but we’ll save that for another post.)
Anyway, as the title of this post suggests, today I got to play tour guide for my parents as they visited New York for a doctor’s appointment. That’s what they kept calling me, at least. I didn’t intend for it to happen, especially considering that I’m nowhere near considering myself a New Yorker. But, apparently I do know more than I thought (as in, more than the average 50-something-Pennsylvanian).
After arriving in the city and helping the ‘rents get situated, I headed to a favorite cafe to work. A few hours later we met up for lunch at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, which is right on the outskirts of Times Square.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner is a great place for those of you who are looking for a unique and fun restaurant experience in New York. The food is pretty much your basic diner food (with a higher price tag), but it’s the 1950’s-themed atmosphere and entertainment that sets this restaurant apart. The waitstaff at Stardust is actually made up of aspiring singers/actors looking to get their “big break” in NYC. So, to make ends meet in the meantime, they work at the Stardust where they perform musical numbers in between serving. It’s really fun! (and much less expensive than going to a Broadway show, just sayin’.)
I ordered chicken quesadillas. They were decent enough.
The downside of this lunch spot, though? I think my tweet says it all.
Don’t get me wrong, I think that Times Square is…cool. It’s neat to be standing in what is essentially a focal point of the entire world. But the tourists, traffic, and overall insanity of it?
…I could do without.
After lunch my parents and I went our separate ways. It was a short day, but a great one. I loved being able to at least show a little bit of what I hope to soon consider “my” city.
I spent the rest of the day working, gyming, and grocery shopping – where I got the fixin’s for tonight’s dinner.
If we’re being honest here, this is the first dinner I’ve actually cooked for myself (i.e. didn’t remove from a box of some sort) in over a week. And it was good.
…recipe to come!
But for now, some R&R. Goodnight, sweets. xoxo G
What city/town/university could you be the tour guide for?
I wish I could be a tour guide for Chicago, but I really couldn’t. I’m a suburbanite at best.
My brother lives in Manhattan and I agree with you that although Times Square is awesome, it is a total tourist trap, I hate walking around down there. Same with at home here in Chicago, I never shop on MIchigan Ave anymore because the tourists are just too overwhelming!
I feel the same way about Times Square! I’ve gone to NYC for work the past 5 years and have stayed in Times Square twice. I’m over it. There are many other cool areas of the city.
I’ve been to Times Square three times (all during high school to see Broadway Shows for the music or drama department) and from the very beginning it was never really my seen.
I love being a tour guide in Dublin! After studying abroad there I got used to showing visitors around. I miss it!
I love New York! My sister is actually the NY City for Visitor’s Guide on about.com – you should check out her site if you ever need any info: gonyc.about.com.
I couldn’t be a tour guide for anywhere though. I barely know my way around the town I live in and have been in for almost 5 years… sad.
“My sister is actually the NY City for Visitor’s Guide on about.com – you should check out her site if you ever need any info: gonyc.about.com” < — Awesome, thanks!!
I’d love to tour NYC again. I’ve been a few times and I absolutely love it!!
Ahhh, my birthday is the 18th too!
I always play tour guide when my family and friends come to visit the Big Apple! I don’t mind though, I love NYC
I think after being in NYC for a year, I could now be a fairly decent tour guide. Funnily enough, I would probably be a terrible tour guide for the city I grew up in, Winnipeg. 1. Because I haven’t lived there in 7 years so I don’t know any of the good places and 2. Because I hate it. I would probably be like “..And this is ____ street, it sucks. And this is the _______ building, it sucks too”. Haha
I’ve been to Ellen’s — and been serenaded by a waiter — before! Fun stuff, but not really great on the food-front.
I love NYC, but after my first time in Times Square I vowed never to return.
I’m pretty sure I could be a tour guide in any of the cities I’ve lived in (San Diego, LA, London, Budapest, Florence). I love exploring where I live and doing new things and since I’ve been lucky enough to live in some amazing cities, it’s always fun to show them off.
NYC definitely isn’t for everyone. I love the hustle and bustle for a day or two, but I don’t think I could ever actually live there.
i’d love to visit this diner, i love places that are full of surprises.
funny thing, I’ve been here so long that even Times Square doesn’t phase me anymore. You’ll learn to navigate, real quick. I loved Ellen’s the few times I went there, but I don’t know if I’ll ever go back again. I prefer quieter restaurant lol.
I know NYC like nobody’s biz but I’m just a terrible tour guide!! I don’t know what’s interesting that people would want to see!
I would have to say at this point “my city” would be Tucson, AZ. LOL – I’m geographically challenged and not really qualified to guide anyone!
My birthday is the 15th. So close!
I’m going to NYC in 1.5 weeks for spring break! Is there anywhere that you would more highly suggest that I NEED to try?!
YES! I haven’t been to nearly as many places as I would like, but some of my favorites so far:
Babycakes NYC (vegan bakery)
Candle 79 and Pure Food and Wine (vegan restaurants)
Kaffe 1668 (best coffee)
Dos Caminos, Fig and Olive, Otto (restaurants)
Some other places that I haven’t been to yet but am dying to try are Serendipity III, Alice’s Tea Cup, Lombardi’s Pizza…the list goes on!!
I could definitely be a tour guide to Northampton but cities have me SO LOST. maybe I could get something out of London when I go abroad there next year. Cities are so busy, I totally get that you could do without!
Stardust is such a fun place – I’ve been there a couple times! Very unique NYC experience.
I could definitely be a tour guide in my hometown, my current city, and maybe (big maybe) Chicago.
I lived in Washington, DC for a year, and I love DC. I think DC is such a great city, but there is so much to see there. I’d done visited a lot of the typical tourist attractions, museums, ect., but I haven’t even come close to seeing everything! Additionally, I worked on Capital Hills and had to give tours visiting constituents, which was fun at first but quickly got old. I know a lot about the history of the Capitol though …
I’ve never been to DC! which is lame because I grew up in nearby Philadelphia
I live in Tulsa so I guess I know the most about this city. I would not be a good tour guide, though. I moved here almost 5 years ago and I still have to use Google maps occasionally to figure out where I’m going.
I’ve never been to NYC but it seems like a whole different world out there! tonight i was so tired that i made a box of macaroni and steamed veggies for dinner. it was the most “cooking” I’ve done in about a week too. i’ve been eating a ton of sandwiches, salads, soups and smoothies.
Musical performances at a restaurant would be SO fun to see! It would be like a real life Glee or something haha!
That diner sounds so fun! I love New York, although I am with ya on the times square thing. I would much like to have a tad less commotion!:)
I moved to Virginia Beach in August- my cousin is coming to visit from NJ next week and I can’t wait to play tour guide! Gotta take pride in your knew city, ya know! It’s exciting.
New York, fo sho!! And I’m pretty sure I could give a way better tour than the one NYU has on tap. “Kids, this isn’t college, this is real life. You will pass homeless men with their penises out on your way to class. You will soon hate everyone that doesn’t power walk down the street. Greek life is not cool here. BUT you will come to love this place, because who else can say they see the Empire State Building from their classroom window?”
HAHAHA, love it!!
I could be a tour guide at UCF where I go to school, and although I still couldn’t be a tour guide in orlando as a whole I could certainly be a Disney World Tour Guide I know the place like the back of my hand. I grew up in the Daytona Beach area so I could show someone around the former Spring Break town=)
guess what i learned today – the average Times Square neon bulb lasts for 2 1/2 years.
you’re welcome.
Ugh, i WORK in Times Square- right on 42nd Street & 7th!! Talk about tourists EVERYWHERE! LOL Especially on Wednesday’s before the matinee of Mary Poppins. ah!
That being said, as a native NYer, i could show people around here quite well!
Whee, happy almost birthday!
I like New York, but I could never live there!
I could be a tour guide for UR, ROchester, and Buffalo- not as exciting as NY!