Chelsea & High Line Park.

A. and I visited Chelsea Market twice.  The first time, we missed out on one of the zillion, delicious-looking lunch choices (and settled for a goat-cheese omelette at the so-so Chelsea Square Restaurant); the second time, we returned with S.  And I was thrilled when S. wanted to go there and knew exactly where we should eat,  Hale and Hearty Soups.

Delicious!  S. had the curried-squash soup and sandwich.  Me, the split-pea soup and a black forest ham sandwich.  And I wanted to go back a third time for lunch the afternoon we departed the city, but no such luck.  If you're in town, treat yourself (75 9th Avenue).

Side-note:  I haven't yet mentioned this to S., but as she, A. and I were clearing our table, two men were waiting to take our place.  One of them (this is what I didn't mention) looked an awful lot like Nigel Barker, a well-known fashion photographer.  Last night, I took a moment to look him up online and discovered that is studio is in the neighboring Meatpacking District and he loves Chelsea Market.  Hmmmm . . .

I digress.

We then visited the new High Line Park.  According to its website, "[t]he High Line was originally constructed in the 1930s, to lift dangerous freight trains off Manhattan's streets."  The park is raised, makes for a lovely walk, and has access to great city views (though A. fell asleep and missed out on these views while S. was carrying her along the way. You can tell she's on the brink of sleep in the picture below. S. is soothing like that.  I'm not surprised A. fell asleep!).

From there, we poked around the Meatpacking District and Chelsea a bit more (look at the vine on this building that S. pointed out).

If you're a visitor in the city like me, I recommend these neighborhoods as a quiet, quaint and character-filled alternative to the bustling Midtown or Downtown.  Throw on a scarf, grab yourself a warm cup of tea, add to that a really cute baby and a great relative and friend like S. and you'll have everything  you need for the perfect afternoon.  Easily.