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June 20, 2025
New York: Colleen and Avery


The Manhattan skyline, as seen across the Hudson River from New Jersey

When we checked into our Airbnb on June 17, our daughter Colleen and granddaughter Avery had already arrived just ahead of us. They are visiting for four short days from Wisconsin. Gail saw Avery just last year, but Russell hasn’t seen her in almost a decade.

This is both Colleen’s and Avery’s first time in New York City. Avery had two priorities:

Gail found an Airbnb in Weehawken, New Jersey, much less expensive than New York City. But it was right across the Lincoln Tunnel from midtown Manhattan, so it was fairly easy to get into the city. Once we got used to the public transportation systems, it was very easy.


We were in a great location. From the bus stop near our Airbnb, every single bus goes to the NY Port Authority terminal in midtown

We were able to see two plays. On June 18, we saw an off-Broadway comedy called “The Play That Goes Wrong.” Both Gail and Russell have seen this before, and Gail highly recommended it.

On June 19, we saw “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Broadway. Avery is a huge Harry Potter fan, and this was her request.

Colleen suggested “Hamilton” or “Book of Mormon,” but she was outvoted. Colleen suggested having Russell and Avery see “Harry Potter” while she and Gail saw “Book of Mormon,” but she was outvoted. Apparently, a teenage girl gets weighted votes. Fortunately, Colleen ended up loving “Harry Potter.”


We were able to see two plays, and everyone enjoyed both of them.

Avery recently turned 13 years old, and she is at that tipping age where she both a teenager and a little kid. When she said she wanted to “go shopping,” we had no idea what kind of shopping she wanted to do. As we walked around midtown, Avery popped into every store from FAO Schwartz (toys) to Sephora (make-up).

On June 18, we all went out together. On June 19, Russell stayed at the Airbnb while the girls went out in the pouring rain. On June 20, Colleen and Avery went out on their own.


Colleen and Avery explore New York for the first time


IT'SUGAR, a two-story candy store in Times Square


The Disney Store, where Avery the little kid bought a stuffed “Stitch” who became her new best friend


Sephora, where Avery the teenager went crazy and introduced her grandma to the latest in makeup and cosmetics


The American Girl doll store


Taking rest breaks in Times Square


On June 19, the girls took a guided tour of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which included the catacombs

Four days seemed to be enough for everyone to do what they wanted. By the last day, Colleen and Avery were done with public transit and ready to leave the crowded urban city. We said our goodbyes and watched them depart. We will have one more night at the Airbnb, then we too will depart New York City, rent a car and drive out of the area.


A video call with Uncle Joss at the Airbnb


Avery reminds us so much of Colleen when she was a teenager. They look and act like twins.

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