Big Apple weekend

When our son moved to New York a year ago, I was thrilled. I love the Big Apple, and in my mind I wasn’t losing a son, I was gaining a city.

So what better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with my own personal tour guide?

If New York is on your travel agenda, consider some tips I learned on my Mother’s Day visit.

First of all, don’t be intimidated by this five-borough burg of 8 million people. Develop what Billy Joel so aptly described in the song “New York State of Mind.” Yes, you’re going to dump some dough when you’re there, but with a little planning you won’t max out your credit cards.

Secondly, figure out what you want to do. I’m into food, theater, museums and walking. It should go without saying, but wear comfortable shoes; I developed some nasty blisters trying to look cute tromping up and down Fifth Avenue in a pair of strappy sandals.

You can’t see it all in three or four days, so make a list in advance.

Next, figure out how to get there and where to stay. I had a free ticket on Alaska Airlines thanks to frequent flier miles. Alaska flies into Newark, N.J.

I spent three nights at a budget-priced hotel and made a big splurge on my final evening.

Finally, have fun.

This is the city that never sleeps, so remember that you can catch up on yours when you return home.

NYC &Company, New York City’s official tourism marketing organization, has an online hotel reservation system with more than 160 hotels. Through Sept. 6, they offer a NYC Summer Breaks special with rooms starting at less than $100 a night.

I stayed for three nights at Hotel Thirty Thirty, a budget tourist-class hotel on E. 30th Street between Madison and Park avenues and a five-minute walk to the Empire State Building.

It’s nothing fancy, with minimalist decor and small rooms. The clientele seemed to consist of European visitors, couples of all ages and solo travelers.

My room had a private bath, and the rate was $129 a night. Right across the street is the Log-On Cafe, a cozy spot to check your e-mail and have a latte. You get 15 minutes of free computer time when you order breakfast.

But for Mother’s Day night, I did the big splurge and booked a room with a view at the Plaza. As the crown jewel of Fifth Avenue, this venerable old hotel opened in 1907, has been the setting of many movies and hosted kings and presidents.

But I was there to see my childhood friend Eloise, the fictional and mischievous character from the 1955 Kay Thompson book of the same name.

I grew up with this rambunctious 6-year-old who lived at the Plaza with Nanny, her dog Weenie and her turtle Skipperdee.

The hotel offers a three-night package called “The Eloise Experience” for girls of all ages. “Ooooooooooo, I absolutely love the Plaza,” as Eloise would say.

Figuring out what shows to see in New York is a dilemma. A good starting point is the Playbill Web site. Playbill publishes the programs for the theaters.

My son and I saw two shows, a Friday evening performance of the absolutely hilarious “Avenue Q” and a Sunday matinee of the entertaining “Sly Fox” starring Richard Dreyfuss, Eric Stoltz and Bronson Pinchot.

I purchased tickets in advance, but take advantage of TKTS, in Times Square or at the South Street Seaport. That’s where you’ll find same-day tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, up to half off the original price.

Want to see a TV show? There are dozens of shows taped in New York. I spent a morning at Rockefeller Plaza watching the “Today” show. Go on a Friday when they have their outdoor concerts – I saw Alicia Keys – but arrive before dawn if you want a good spot.

When it comes to food, it’s hard to choose from the 17,000 restaurants. Ruby Foo’s in Times Square is fun before a Broadway show, or have drinks and appetizers at Blue Fin in the nearby W Hotel. If you’re a late-night diner, Bao 111 is open until 2 a.m. Peter Luger Steak House in Brooklyn, in business since 1887, is worth the trip across the East River.

For Mother’s Day, we enjoyed breakfast at Sarabeth’s Restaurant at the Whitney Museum of American Art and dinner at Blue Water Grill in Union Square. Ask to be seated in the Jazz Room, where they have live music.

The Oak Bar at the Plaza makes a dandy Manhattan.

For the best views of the city, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. When it was completed in 1883, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world, and today it’s popular with walkers, bikers and rollerbladers who make the trip across the East River.

The entrance to the bridge on the Manhattan side is near City Hall. Plaques along the way tell the history of the bridge, and the views are stunning.

On my last day, I awoke at the Plaza and walked across the street to Central Park after popping over to Trump Tower for a possible Donald sighting, but no luck.

As the first major public park built in America, its 250 acres of lawns and 150 acres of water are a haven for both visitors and residents alike. Have lunch at either Tavern on the Green or The Boat House; dream in Strawberry Fields, an international peace garden dedicated to the memory of John Lennon; and take a photo of Balto the Wonder Dog, a life-size sculpture commemorating this heroic Alaskan sled dog.

And then there are those romantic horse-drawn carriage rides through Central Park.

I’ll have to save that for next time … with my husband.

Sue Frause is a Whidbey Island freelance writer and photographer. She may be reached at skfrause@whidbey.com.