Meredith Alumnae Trip to the Big Apple!

This year's alumnae trip to New York City is scheduled for Friday, November 22 – Sunday, November 24, 2024.

Original Greenwich Village Food Tour - $90/person

This food and culture walking tour will highlight the enchanting West Village, considered the most delicious and desirable neighborhood in NYC.  Uncover the allure of this tantalizing, celebrity-favored area, offering a Europeanesque lifestyle. Indulge in mouthwatering delights from charming restaurants and renowned specialty food shops on our tasting tour.  Traverse the picturesque streets, discovering secluded gardens, historic homes, and even the narrowest house in NYC. Immerse yourself in the cultural tapestry of the Village, understanding why it captivates so many hearts.  This guided tour includes 3 indoor/seated tastings and 5 on-the-go tastings.  Featured restaurants include: Murray’s Cheese Shop, Faicco’s Italian Specialities, Rafele Ristorante, Pesce Pasta, Chip City, Tacombi, and Rocco’s Pasticceria.  Dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian and gluten-free, can be accommodated on this tour.   

Gypsy - $149/person
MajesticTheatre
245 West 44th Street

Audra McDonald returns to Broadway as Rose in the classic musical from Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne, and Stephen Sondheim. Gypsy is the landmark Broadway musical about a domineering mother in the early 20th Century who will do anything to make her young daughters Vaudeville stars. Inspired by the early life of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, this new production is directed by George C. Wolfe and choreographed by Camille A. Brown, and is the musical that introduced the hit songs “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You,“ and “You Gotta Get a Gimmick.”

Audra McDonald is the winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy. In 2015, she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and received a National Medal of Arts, America’s highest honor for achievement in the field.

Gypsy makes its Broadway revival in the Majestic Theatre. The show will be the first to take up residence at the Majestic since The Phantom of the Opera ended its 35-year run. The theater has been undergoing renovations since Phantom vacated last April.

Breakfast at Charlie Palmer- $54/person
Located within The Knickerbocker Hotel

Before starting your day, join fellow travelers and College staff for a full hot American Breakfast. The Meredith group will have reserved seating within Charlie Palmer. Menu includes selections of: eggs, bacon, sausage, smoked salmon, selection of cereals, assorted pastries, bagels, toast, fresh fruit, smoothies, yogurt parfait, fresh juices, coffee, and tea.

10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Theatre District Historic Walking Tour with The Backstage Blonde- $125/person
New Amsterdam Theatre - 214 West 42nd Street

There is nothing quite like standing in the heart of the theatre district, feeling the pulse of the city and glow of the marquee signs surrounding you. Tours by The Backstage Blonde offer three different ways to explore the streets of Midtown like a real member of the Broadway community while Teale Dvornik, The Backstage Blonde, entertains you with stories from her life on Broadway and tales from the theatre district’s past.

Teale Dvornik holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Costume Design. Since 2014, she has been a costumer on the following shows: Wicked, MJ The Musical, Come From Away, Aladdin, The Prom, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, On The Town, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Her passion for theatre history and the architecture of Broadway’s 41 theatres inspired her to become a licensed NYC tour guide.

Tour lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and departs from the New Amsterdam Theatre, located at 214 West 42nd Street.

Traveler and Local Alumnae Reception 
St. Cloud Rooftop
The Knickerbocker Hotel

With its three plush corner Sky Pods overlooking Times Square, stylish indoor and outdoor seating options, the exclusive Waterford Crystal Lounge, and lush living walls of greenery, St. Cloud is the ultimate rooftop bar in NYC. Named for the late-19th century hotel that originally occupied the site, St. Cloud is the pinnacle of The Knickerbockers Hotel and a top Times Square experience. St Cloud offers a progressive cocktail menu, craft bottled beers, and an upscale, seasonally focused small plates menu. Sophisticated entertainment is an understated-yet-eclectic mix of cirque-like, biergarten and speak-easy fun, while curated music selections set the tone for extraordinary experiences high above the city.

The Meredith College group will enjoy a private space and event featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres and open bar. In addition to the group event, St. Cloud is open daily during our visit and features lives music from 6 – 9 p.m.

Death Becomes Her
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre 
205 W 46th Street

Madeline Ashton is the most beautiful actress (just ask her) ever to grace the stage and screen. Helen Sharp is the long- suffering author (just ask her) who lives in her shadow. They have always been the best of frenemies... until Madeline steals Helen’s fiancé away. As Helen plots revenge and Madeline clings to her rapidly fading star, their world is suddenly turned upside down by Viola Van Horn, a mysterious woman with a secret that’s to die for.

After one sip of Viola’s magical potion, Madeline and Helen begin a new era of life (and death) with their youth and beauty restored...and a grudge to last eternity.

Starring Tony Award nominees Megan Hilty (Wicked, Smash), Jennifer Simard (Company, Disaster!), and Christopher Sieber (Spamalot, Company), with Grammy Award winner Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child, Chicago), Death Becomes Her, based on the classic 1992 film, is a drop-dead hilarious new musical comedy about friendship, love, and burying the hatchet…again, and again, and again.

Duration: 2 hours and 55 minutes, including one intermission. 

Radio City Christmas Spectacular - $110/person
Radio City Music Hall
1260 Avenue of the Americas
90 minutes, no intermission

Since the first version was presented in 1933, the Christmas Spectacular has become a New York holiday tradition.  The show features more than 140 performers and combines singing, dancing, and humor with traditional holiday scenes.  The stars of the show are the Radio City Rockettes and their infamous kick line.  Highlights include: Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, a Living Nativity, The Nutcracker, and an appearance by Santa Claus.  The Meredith College group seats are located in Section 200 within the Orchestra Section of Radio City.

Depart LGA via American Airlines for a non-stop flight to RDU
American Airlines

Those on the group flight will have transfer service from The Knickerbocker Hotel to LGA for a non-stop flight via American Airlines to RDU.