Last month at this time, I headed to NYC with my 16-year-old daughter for the Wherever Awards event. It was Alli’s first trip to NYC, and I wasn’t sure what we’d be able to fit in to such a short trip, but I wanted to make sure it was fun for this future global traveler. Well, here’s what we crammed into that quick overnight trip.

A list of firsts for Alli:
First time on a train
First time eating the banana pudding at Magnolia Bakery (made famous on Instagram)
First time in Central Park
First time seeing the Empire State Building
First Uber ride
First time at a Global Traveler event
First time wearing heels for five hours
First photo shoot in front of the Freedom Tower by an amazing photographer
First late-night frozen yogurt run through Times Square
First New York City bagels for breakfast
First time on a subway
First time at the The American Museum of Natural History (Photo op with the Easter Island head from Night at the Museum, all the while repeating the famous line, “Dum Dum Give Me Gum Gum”)
First New York City soft pretzel from a street cart
First time trying to navigate Penn Station to travel home after a great first trip to the Big Apple!

I can’t wait to take her back. There’s so much more to do and see!

— Tracey Cullen, art director