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TUESDAY JULY 8 - MATTY'S BIRTHDAY!
✈️ 6:34 AM - 10:59 AM
Flight OKC → LGA
American Airlines • Time to get excited!
12:30 PM
🚇 Travel to AMNH
🚇 From LGA: Take M60 bus to 125th St, then 4/5/6 to 59th St, transfer to B/C to 81st St
🚶♂️ Walk: 2 blocks west to Central Park West entrance
⏱️ Total travel: 45-60 minutes from airport
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
🦕 American Museum of Natural History
Perfect timing to avoid crowds
3:30 PM: "Encounters in the Milky Way" show
Must-see: Dinosaur halls, Rose Center
4:40 PM
🚇 Travel to Gray's Papaya
🚇 Route: B/C train from 81st St to 72nd St (1 stop!)
🚶♂️ Walk: Exit at 72nd St, walk 1 block to Broadway
⏱️ Total travel: 5 minutes
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
🌭 Birthday Hot Dogs at Gray's Papaya
Original location! Try the "Recession Special"
2 franks + papaya drink = $7.50
True NYC standing room experience
6:10 PM
🚇 Travel to Kit Kat Club
🚇 Route: 1/2/3 train from 72nd St to Times Sq-42nd St
🚶♂️ Walk: 10 blocks north to 52nd Street
⏱️ Total travel: 15-20 minutes
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
🎭 Cabaret at Kit Kat Club
August Wilson Theatre
🎉 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHT!
10:30 PM - 11:30 PM
📸 Times Square Photography Magic
Perfect post-show neon photography session
📸 Golden shots: Neon reflections, crowd energy, billboard lights
💡 Pro tip: Use portrait mode for bokeh effects with city lights
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WEDNESDAY JULY 9 - ART & EXPLORATION
7:30 AM
🚇 Depart Hotel → Empire State Building
🚇 Route: Take 4/5/6 train to 34th St-Herald Square
🚶♂️ Walk: 2 blocks east to 350 5th Avenue
⏱️ Total travel time: 15-20 minutes
💡 Perfect timing: Arrive right at 8:00 AM opening!
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
🏢 Empire State Building + Photography
Early morning visit for smaller crowds
📸 Photo opportunities: 86th floor skyline shots, Art Deco lobby
💡 Golden hour bonus: Perfect morning light for exterior shots too
1.5 hours total including wait time
10:10 AM
🚇 Travel to Flatiron Building
🚇 Route: 6 train from 33rd St to 23rd St (2 stops)
🚶♂️ Walk: 1 block west to Broadway & 23rd St intersection
⏱️ Total travel: 10 minutes
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
📸 Flatiron Building Photo Walk
📍 Route: Empire State → subway to 23rd St → Flatiron
📸 Shots: Iconic triangular building, surrounding architecture
🚇 Transit buffer: Built-in time for subway photos too
💡 Perfect transition to MoMA!
10:50 AM
🚇 Travel to MoMA
🚇 Route: 6 train from 23rd St to 51st St, then walk to 53rd St
🚶♂️ Walk: 2 blocks north on 5th Ave to West 53rd St
⏱️ Total travel: 15 minutes
10:50 AM - 12:30 PM
🖼️ Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) + Garden
Must-see: Van Gogh's "Starry Night," Picasso, Warhol
📸 Photography spots: Sculpture Garden (amazing for portraits!)
Start in sculpture garden, work your way up
Audio guide included in 9 languages
12:35 PM
🚇 Travel to B&H Photo
🚇 Route: F/Q train from 57th St to 34th St-Herald Sq
🚶♂️ Walk: 4 blocks west on 34th St to 9th Avenue
⏱️ Total travel: 12-15 minutes
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
📷 B&H Photo Video
📍 Location: 420 9th Avenue (near 34th Street)
📸 Perfect for Matty: Camera gear paradise, photography equipment
💡 Smart timing: Between MoMA and PopMart, perfect transition
🚇 Easy route: MoMA → subway to 34th St → B&H → downtown to WTC
1:55 PM
🚇 Travel to PopMart WTC
🚇 Route: A/C/E train from 34th St to Fulton St (4 stops)
🚶♂️ Walk: Follow signs to WTC shopping center, Level LL
⏱️ Total travel: 18-20 minutes
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
🦴 PopMart World Trade Center
Labubu hunt! Check online for latest drops
185 Greenwich St, Space LL2315
📸 Bonus: WTC exterior architecture shots while there
3:20 PM
🚇 Travel to Muji 5th Ave
🚇 Route: 4/5/6 train from Fulton St to 59th St
🚶♂️ Walk: 1 block south on 5th Ave to 620 5th Ave
⏱️ Total travel: 12-15 minutes
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
📝 Muji 5th Avenue
📍 Location: 620 5th Ave (just down the street from LEGO!)
🛍️ Browse: Minimalist design, amazing stationery, home goods
💡 Perfect timing: Relaxed browse before your LEGO appointment
4:25 PM
🚶♂️ Walk to LEGO Store
🚶♂️ Walk: Just 2 blocks north on 5th Ave (620 → 636 5th Ave)
⏱️ Total travel: 3-5 minutes walk
💡 Perfect timing: Arrive right on time for appointment!
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
🧱 LEGO Flagship Store - MOSAIC MAKER APPOINTMENT
636 5th Ave (near Rockefeller Center)
✅ CONFIRMED: Mosaic Maker appointment at 4:30 PM
Minifigure Factory & Brick Lab VR experience
📸 Fun shots: LEGO sculptures, your custom creations
5:35 PM
🚶♂️ Walk to Central Park
🚶♂️ Walk: Cross 5th Ave to Central Park entrance (directly across!)
📍 Enter at: 59th St & 5th Ave (Grand Army Plaza)
⏱️ Total travel: 3 minutes walk
5:45 PM - 6:25 PM
📸 Central Park Golden Hour Photography
📍 Route: 5th Ave entrance → Bethesda Fountain → Bow Bridge
📸 Magic hour shots: Reflection in fountain, romantic bridge views
💡 Perfect lighting: 5:45 PM = golden hour perfection!
🚶♂️ Focused session: Key shots before dinner
6:30 PM
🚇 Travel to John's Pizzeria
🚇 Route: N/Q/R/W from 57th St to Times Sq-42nd St
🚶♂️ Walk: 2 blocks north to 44th Street
⏱️ Total travel: 8-10 minutes
6:30 PM - 7:20 PM
🍕 John's Pizzeria of Times Square
260 W 44th Street
Pre-show dinner before Oh Mary!
Classic NYC thin crust pizza
📸 Bonus: Times Square daytime vs nighttime comparison shots
7:25 PM
🚶♂️ Walk to Lyceum Theater
🚶♂️ Walk: East on 44th St, then south on Broadway to 45th St
📍 Destination: 149 West 45th Street
⏱️ Total travel: 3-5 minutes walk
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
🎭 Oh Mary!
Lyceum Theater
Broadway comedy sensation!
Perfect follow-up to birthday celebration
10:15 PM
🚇 Travel to Greenwich Village
🚇 Route: 1 train from Times Sq to Christopher St-Sheridan Sq
🚶♂️ Walk: 1 block east on Christopher Street
⏱️ Total travel: 12-15 minutes
10:30 PM - 11:30 PM
🏳️🌈 Stonewall Inn + Pieces Bar Village Crawl
10:30-11:00 PM: Stonewall Inn (53 Christopher Street) - Historic landmark
11:00-11:30 PM: Pieces Bar (8 Christopher Street) - Iconic East Village spot
📸 Evening shots: Historic facades, charming Village streets between bars
💡 Perfect nightcap combo: History + local gay bar culture!
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THURSDAY JULY 10 - PHOTOGRAPHY & RELAXATION
8:15 AM
🚇 Travel to DUMBO
🚇 Route: 4/5/6 train to Union Sq, transfer to N/Q to DeKalb Ave, transfer to B/Q to High St
🚶♂️ Walk: 10 minutes downhill to Washington St & Water St
⏱️ Total travel: 35-40 minutes
8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
🎨 DUMBO Brooklyn Photography Adventure
📍 Route: Hotel → F train to York St → DUMBO
📸 Washington St & Water St: Most Instagrammed spot in Brooklyn!
📸 Manhattan Bridge View: Empire State Building through bridge
📸 Brooklyn Bridge Park: Waterfront skyline shots
💡 Perfect morning light: Best time for these iconic shots
11:10 AM
🚶♂️ Walk to Brooklyn Heights
🚶♂️ Walk: Head up Cadman Plaza East to Montague St
📍 Route: DUMBO → Brooklyn Heights Promenade
⏱️ Total travel: 12-15 minute scenic walk uphill
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
📸 Brooklyn Heights Promenade
📍 Walk from DUMBO: Easy 15-minute scenic walk
📸 Views: Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge
📸 Architecture: Historic brownstones, cobblestone streets
💡 Secret spots: Hidden dead-end streets (Remsen, Pierrepont, Henry St)
12:10 PM
🚇 Travel to Russian Baths
🚇 Route: 4/5 train from Borough Hall to Union Sq, transfer to L to 1st Ave
🚶♂️ Walk: 3 blocks south on 1st Ave to 10th Street
⏱️ Total travel: 25-30 minutes
12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
🧖♀️ Russian & Turkish Baths
📍 Location: 268 East 10th Street
Perfect relaxing end to trip after morning photography
2.5 hours of pure relaxation
🚇 Easy route: Brooklyn Heights → 4/5/6 to Union Sq → L to 1st Ave
3:00 PM
🚗 Travel to LGA Airport
🚇 Route: L train to Union Sq, transfer to 4/5/6 to 59th St, transfer to N/Q to Queensboro Plaza, transfer to M60 to LGA
🚕 Alternative: Taxi/Uber from East Village (faster, ~$40-50)
⏱️ Total travel: 60 minutes subway / 30 minutes taxi
💡 Recommendation: Take taxi for convenience with luggage
✈️ 6:00 PM
Flight LGA → OKC
American Airlines • Perfect end to an amazing trip!
📱 Time to edit: Perfect flight time to review all your amazing photos!
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Matty's Photography Paradise
🎨 Bushwick Street Art District
Location: Morgan Ave L train + walk
Highlights: Bushwick Collective - world-renowned street art
Best for: Fashion photography, urban portraits
Tip: Morning light is best, constantly changing murals
🌉 DUMBO Photography Paradise
Washington St & Water St: Most Instagrammed spot in Brooklyn
Manhattan Bridge View: Empire State Building visible through bridge
Brooklyn Bridge Park: Waterfront skyline shots
Jane's Carousel: Vintage 1922 carousel in glass pavilion
Best times: Golden hour, weekdays less crowded
🏙️ Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Views: Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge
Architecture: Historic brownstones, cobblestone streets
Secret: Hidden dead-end streets (Remsen, Pierrepont, Henry St)
💡 Photography Route for Matty - INTEGRATED INTO YOUR SCHEDULE:
Tuesday Night: Times Square neon photography (built into birthday plans!)
Wednesday Morning: Empire State Building + Flatiron Building architecture
Wednesday Afternoon: Central Park golden hour (4:15-5:15 PM perfect lighting!)
Wednesday Evening: Greenwich Village historic streets
Thursday Morning: DUMBO Brooklyn Bridge views + Brooklyn Heights skyline
📸 Pro Photography Tips:
• Use portrait mode for Times Square bokeh effects
• Central Park at 4:15 PM = golden hour magic
• DUMBO morning light is perfect for skyline shots
• Village evening shots capture historic charm
🎉 Matty & David's Perfect NYC Birthday Adventure!
This itinerary balances must-dos with relaxed exploration, amazing shopping (Labubu, LEGO, tattoos!), LGBTQ+ nightlife, incredible photography opportunities, and spa relaxation. Have the most incredible birthday celebration! 🌈✨