We were a little apprehensive driving into Manhattan on a Friday night, but just a few turns after crossing the George Washington Bridge we arrived at Adrianne's cozy brownstone.

Adrianne immediately made us feel at home, assisting us to arrange parking and locate amenities. After settling in, we headed a few blocks down Malcolm X Boulevard to Sylvia's ( a neighbourhood must) for dinner.

On Saturday we headed out, on foot, to midtown Manhattan, strolling along Fifth Avenue and through Central Park. Although our walk coincided with a miserable, early winter storm, it was thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

From midtown we visited the usual attractions - Rockefeller Centre, Macy's, Times Square ...... and at the end of our day took the subway from 42nd Street home, I mean back to Adrianne's.

What we enjoyed most about Adrianne's place was the feeling that, after a long day exploring, we were going home. Not an anonymous hotel room, but home.

On our second day we took the subway (from just down the street) to lower Manhattan, and spent another day walking and exploring. A visit to the 9/11 Memorial is moving and a must. Next we boarded the free Staten Island Ferry, followed by dinner at Lombardi's, about an hour walk through the abandoned (it was Sunday) financial district to Spring Street. A nearby subway stop took us back up to midtown, where we finished our day with a trip to the top of the Empire State Building.

Although we visited many of the typical attractions, we vowed on our next trip to spend more time in the neighbourhoods, like Adrianne's, to really immerse ourselves in City life and culture.

We felt too that by staying in Adrianne's brownstone we were able to experience the City a little less like a tourist. We walked with, rode the trains with, ate and shopped with people from Adrianne's neighbourhood. There was even a funeral celebration in the corner church the night we arrived!

We can't say enough about how welcomed we were made to feel, and how comfortable and safe we felt at Adrianne's place during our weekend stay. If you are considering a trip to NYC, please take our advice and stay with Adrianne - you won't regret it!

Marlene, Rod, Austen & Rachael Demerling
Brantford, Ontario, Canada
December, 2013