This week was William & Mary’s Spring break. Although it still feels very early in the semester — and the weather suggests Winter rather than Spring — I had a wonderful time. I was able to enjoy and relax during my time off in the perfect way: by getting away to the city with my family.

The first few days of break I stayed at home, studying and catching up on the Great British Baking Show. It was very relaxing, but I was still itching to travel or at least do something fun.

So my parents and I decided to go to New York City for three short, but wonderful days. While we were there we shopped, saw the sites, and ate… A LOT. At the risk of looking like a total tourist, I took a lot of pictures of our trip so I could blog about it. Worth it.

Wednesday

We took the train on Wednesday morning from Union Station to Penn Station. We checked into the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which was a very sweet place. They offered us champagne and snacks as soon as we walked in from the cold, which was a nice surprise. We unpacked, got settled into our room, and we were on our way to conquer the city.

We took a cab ride to the Plaza Hotel to eat at the Todd English Food Hall and shop in the stores. The Moore family absolutely loves the Plaza and we make it a point to have a meal there at least once every time we go to New York.

The day we arrived in the city also happened to be Ash Wednesday — So like the good Catholics we are, the Moore family visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral for ashes and to light candles.

After St. Patrick’s, we decided to do a little shopping around Rockefeller Center. We walked into J. Crew, a favorite store of mine, in search of Chelsea rain boots. Although they didn’t have my size and color in the store, we ordered them online and had them shipped home for free.

My mom and I walked around a bit more in the freezing streets of New York until we ended up at the Music Box Theater. A huge part of going to NYC for my family is going to see musicals. The first show that we saw this weekend was the Tony Award-winning Dear Evan Hansen.

I feel extremely close to this show because it was written, developed, and first performed at Arena Stage in D.C., a theater that I have a long history with. Actually, I was an understudy in a different show at Arena Stage at the same time as Dear Evan Hansen was playing there. Unfortunately I never got the chance to see it while it was in D.C., but now I finally have!

The show is so wonderfully written and expertly performed. My mom and I definitely cried a bit, but it’s not like we were surprised. We knew exactly what we were getting into.

Exhausted from the day, my parents and I walked home from the theater, showered the grime off of our bodies, and collapsed into bed.

Thursday

The next morning started off a bit slowly, as we were still tired from yesterday’s activities. My dad woke up a bit earlier than my mom and I, so he brought back some coffee to bribe us out of bed. Spoiler alert: it worked.

Then, we took a cab to Chelsea Market (another Moore family favorite). Together we gawked at all of the dining options, estimating how long it would take for the three of us to eat our way through the entire establishment.

As always, we each chose a different booth to order food from and shared. My parents settled on a Japanese-Mexican fusion place called Takumi Taco and were blown away by the dishes they ordered. My mom ordered carnitas tacos and chicken adobo tacos, while my dad got a burrito bowl of sorts. I had a taste of both and fell in love with the original and unexpected combination of cuisines.

For my lunch, I decided on a Matcha-centered place called Chalait. I ordered an iced matcha latte and a prosciutto panini.

After a huge lunch, we did a bit of shopping as well. My dad and I saw a beautiful flower stand and resisted the urge to buy the whole thing. (Remember my obsession with flora?)

After ogling at flowers, my mom and I went into Anthropologie. We were not expecting to come out with anything, but left having done a bit of damage. (Oops.)

We each bought a fabric headband (she got cream, I got mint) that we thought looked perfect in our new short hairstyles. I also got a mini travel-size pink curling iron because lately I’ve been liking the look of short, wavy hair on me.

After shopping to our heart’s desire in Chelsea Market, we took a cab to Soho… to continue the shopping spree.

First we went to a shop called Everlane. My mom has been wanting more classic, age-appropriate staples for her wardrobe and we figured that this would be the perfect place to do it. They have very few real stores, so we were very fortunate that they happened to have one in NYC.

I really enjoyed playing the role of personal stylist for my mom. She found several new pieces that she feels really confident wearing, including some things that she might not have originally picked out for herself. I also happened to find some cute clothes for me, even though I didn’t necessarily need them.

Next, we went to Brandy Melville, which happened to be just around the corner. I tried on about half the store and left with only three items, which I consider a feat.

My dad, who had been enjoying his morning at the KGB Spy Museum instead of shopping (a smart man), decided to join us on Prince Street for some coffee. We ordered some espresso and pain au chocolat in a small establishment called Cafe Gitane (French for “garage”). It was a much needed break in our already busy day.

After stopping at the cafe, we went back to our hotel to drop off our shopping bags. Almost immediately, we sprung back on our feet and ate dinner at an Italian Restaurant called Serafina. But not before getting some pictures in my new Brandy sweater overlooking the city scape.

After dinner, we went to the Lincoln Center Theater where we saw another musical, My Fair Lady. The show was spectacular and I was so excited to see Laura Benanti as Eliza.

After the show, we went right back home for warm showers and restorative sleep so that we could wake up bright and early the next morning.

Friday

We woke up a bit earlier on Friday, as it was (sadly) our last day in New York. We spent most of the day in the Times Square area, shopping and eating to our heart’s content.

First, my mom and I went to Victoria’s Secret to get resized for bras and — just because they were having a sale — pick out some new underwear. We each got a flower as we left the store because it was International Woman’s Day.

Then, my dad joined us and we snagged three booths at the infamous ramen restaurant, Ichiran. The food (and the whole dining experience) was insanely good and I need to go back immediately.

After Ichiran, we shopped some more in Times Square. First, my mom and I went to Sephora in search of some new makeup and skincare products. I got First Aid Beauty concealer and an eye stick for my dark circles. We also got some samples for an avocado overnight face mask which I really enjoyed.

Next, we went to the Capezio dance store for new nude jazz shoes. I got a pair of Pedinis, the kinds with the cut-outs on the sides. I’m super excited to wear these in dance class soon.

We finished the day by going back to the Plaza, of course. We got another (my third this weekend) iced matcha latte in the food court and chilled downstairs for a bit. Then, we got some tea in the Rose Room upstairs (a much more mature, fancy vibe).

Finally, we went back to the Todd English Food Hall for our last supper as a family in NYC. I got rigatoni bolognese, my mom got fig and prosciutto flatbread, and my dad got the burger. As always, the food was stunning.

Lastly, we went to a bakery in the food hall and grabbed some black and white cookies (and one hamentashen) to bring back for our friends and family back home as souvenirs.

Then, it was time to board the train back for Union Station. Our quick getaway to the city was a much needed and appreciated one. I had so many experiences and made so many memories that I will keep with me forever.

Moral of the story for all the college students out there (like me) who had to watch their peers go to beaches and tours during Spring break: You don’t need to go anywhere crazy or spend exuberant amounts of money in order to have a wonderful and restful break.

All you really need to do is take a little time to relax and make memories with your family. Eat good food, take nice pictures, and rest up. You deserve it.