Back in the fall, when the (terrible!) news broke that Phantom of the Opera was ending its legendary run after 35 years on Broadway, Steve and I immediately knew that we had to get up to New York to see it before it closed. Phantom is my favorite musical of all time – I’ve seen it multiple times on Broadway alone, and have also seen several touring cast productions in different cities. And more critically, even, Phantom is also Nugget’s favorite musical. He knows the soundtrack by heart and has watched the movie countless times. I’d never forgive myself if I let slip the opportunity to take him to see the show before it left Broadway. As Steve and I discussed getting the tickets for the kids for Christmas, he dialed it up to eleven and suggested that since we were going to be in the neighborhood, why not see a second show too – Hamilton, of course? You know, for efficiency’s sake.

We arrived in Manhattan in the late morning on Saturday. The kids were beyond excited. Peanut had been to New York City before, but she was too little to remember – and Nugget had never been at all. Seems insane when you think about how easy it is to get from DC to NYC… but, pandemic. So we had a lot to catch up on: the kids needed the full NYC experience. First stop – pizza, naturally. We took them to John’s, right in the theatre district, and the pizza was a hit. With tummies full, we set out to explore Times Square – nothing like giving them the full blast right away, right? – but New York delivered a major highlight right outside of our lunch spot: a Lin-Manuel Miranda sighting. Yes – really! He was going into another theatre for a matinee. Steve and I looked at each other and said “OH MY GOD” (after he was gone – I promise we were very cool in the moment). The kids were oblivious.

Next up, after our whirlwind tour of Times Square (the kids’ assessment: “New York is made of TVs!”) was the main reason for our trip.

Time for my PSA! Phantom closes April 16 (and I’ll be starting my letter-writing campaign for a revival…). So you have two weeks, just about! If you’re remotely local to New York and thinking of trying to squeeze in a performance before the curtain falls for the last time – do it. You won’t regret it.

I got chills looking at the set again.

Peanut was a little anxious about the chandelier. I reassured her that in thirty-five years of the show running on Broadway, the chandelier had never actually fallen on the audience. (Hope that’s right.)

Best. Show. Ever.

Sunday morning arrived with clear blue skies (and biting winds). Our whirlwind Essential NYC Weekend continued with a long walk from our hotel in Times Square, by way of Fifth Avenue and Central Park, to the American Museum of Natural History. We pointed out New York landmarks – like Rockefeller Center – along the way, and the kids climbed a representative sample of the big boulders in Central Park.

Steve loves the Natural History Museum and always wants to visit when we’re in New York – we don’t make it every time, but we try to, and it was clearly necessary on this trip. The kids (and Steve) were totally enthralled by the dinosaur bones, naturally. I can’t deny that they are cool – I love the huge sauropod skeletons.

Next stop – the Met! This is my favorite NYC museum, and Peanut was excited about an art museum. It felt a bit extreme to smash two museum outings back-to-back in the span of a few hours, but it was necessary – both because of the whirlwind schedule (and limited time) we had, and because the kids can handle more total hours of museum if some novelty is baked in. Someday soon, I expect they’ll have more stamina for a deeper dive at one museum. Until then, we do it this way.

Our first stop in the Met was the Greek and Roman section. This was at Nugget’s request, because he’s currently reading the first Percy Jackson book. He mostly went from statue to statue, checking the explanatory placards for Greek gods and heroes he recognizes from the books. (“Mom, it’s Aphrodite! Mom, it’s Hercules!”)

After Nugget got his pick, it was time for an exhibit for Peanut. She learned about ancient Egypt in third grade and has been obsessed with all things Egyptian ever since. We delivered mummies and temples and she was in heaven. (“Daddy, it’s Sakhmet!”)

Still with me? We continued our race through the museum, pausing to snap pictures of gorgeous decorative vases and Tiffany windows, on our way to Arms and Armor. This was one for all of us – horse armor for Peanut, medieval history for Mom, swords for Steve and Nugget. Oh, and despite not having been to the museum in years, I was able to steer everyone to a suit of armor worn by Henry VIII – the kids have been listening to the Six soundtrack, so they were tickled.

After getting our fill of art at the Met – well, the kids got their fill; I could have stayed for hours – we hopped in an Uber and headed back downtown to the final stop on our whirlwind NYC tour. The kids were decked out in Hamilton t-shirts (souvenirs that Steve and I bought on a date to see the touring cast at the Kennedy Center) and they were READY.

Fourth time now that I’ve seen this show! Twice on Broadway and twice at the Kennedy Center. It never, ever gets old. This production was as good as they always are. The actor playing Aaron Burr is relatively new to the cast – I think he’s been performing the role for a little over a month now, maybe six weeks – and he was fabulous. They were all wonderful, of course. But especially Burr.

What a weekend! The kids had such a great time – they loved New York City, loved Broadway, loved it all. Peanut is making her list of shows she wants to see next time (currently Six – which I really want to see, too – Bad Cinderella, The Lion King, and Aladdin; any more recommendations for her?). We talked all weekend about needing to get up to NYC more frequently. The pandemic put a damper on our travel plans – as it did for everyone – just as the kids were getting to ages that would allow them to travel more easily, so we’re making up for lost time. I’m sure we’ll be planning another NYC weekend soon – and the next one will be slower. Maybe just one show (which will be Six if I have anything to say about it) and fewer activities so we can spend more time in each place. But I’m just grateful today – grateful that we were able to get up to see Phantom one more time, grateful that the kids behaved so well, grateful for a sun-filled weekend with my family in an amazing city.

Any recommendations for the next family trip to NYC?