DVM: NYC...end of Day ONE

It was getting dark as we came out of the Empire State Building. We walked back up to Times Square, and Maddie went into the M and M store to buy some gifts for her family. I was ready for a little sit-down -- and suggested we go hang out on the 7th floor of the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

Hey -- just taking the fancy ELEVATOR in the Marquis is an experience worth remembering.  You punch in the floor you want to go to, and the screen tells you exactly which elevator will be coming to get you.

Fun, eh? YIPPEE...

On the 7th floor, (this is actually the lobby)...we found a vacant table.

OF COURSE there was a Starbucks!! (and some lovely, very clean restrooms, too)

If you look UP -- you can see all the levels of the hotel...all open to the silo of glass elevators.

We walked up Broadway, hoping it would be a good time to eat at Ellen's Stardust Diner. Thanks to Facebook -- millions of eager tourists know about their wonderful singing wait staff  -- so there is always a line of people out the door and around the block...(Lilly and I never did get to go in last year)...

It was about 9:00 when we got there -- and -- yep -- the line was still OUT THE DOOR..AND AROUND THE BLOCK.  ugh. 

We decided to eat at the NEW Junior's restaurant at the other end of the block (it used to be Ruby Foo's).

Of course, Junior's is famous for their New York Cheesecake!!

We couldn't resist...cherry topped AND Red Waldorf Cheesecake!!  WHO KNEW??

...the sugar is making me punchy!!

I've got to say -- this was a perfect ending to a nearly perfect day in New York City. Wow. AND WE DIDN'T REALLY GET STARTED UNTIL AFTER 2:00.!!

You really cannot imagine everything we're gonna cram in tomorrow -- OUR FIRST FULL DAY!!

here's a clue...