My Durable Levi’s® Denim Bag & Izzy in NYC!
Ever felt like your bag is letting you down halfway through a day of exploring NYC? Been there, done that! Struggling with a bulky purse that didn’t fit everything, or a flimsy tote that threatened to rip under the weight of water bottles and snacks, left me longing for a better solution. But that was before I discovered the perfect NYC exploration companion: The Levi’s® denim bag!
Join us as we explore the bustling streets of New York City with our trusty companion, the Levi’s® denim bag, and our daughter’s adorable Teacup Yorkie, Izzy.
NYC is known as a walking city and is filled with historical landmarks and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. We’ll explore some of our favorites and share how the durable and versatile Levi’s® denim bag carried all our essentials, including our coats for ever-changing spring weather, refreshing snacks, and even our furry friend Izzy!
A Durable Companion for City Exploration
Every time we visit NYC, we walk for miles…and I mean miles. Sometimes up to ten miles in one day, according to my Apple watch! Today is a beautiful spring day with a slight chill in the air, so dressing in layers is key.
After arriving at Grand Central Terminal, we head to one of our favorite coffee shops, Blue Bottle. While we don’t consider ourselves coffee snobs (even though we have an espresso machine at home purchased from Whole Latte Love), we definitely appreciate a good, freshly roasted cup of joe. Pairing it with a flaky pastry from Blue Bottle is just what we needed to begin our day.
Now that we are fueled up, we weave through Midtown to stop at a few local gems and mix in some must-see tourist spots. Today, we swing by Rockefeller Center (or “Rock Center” if you want to sound like a local). This iconic landmark is a symbol of Midtown Manhattan and always has something going on. If you love seeing the city from above, then Top of the Rock is a must-see. In the warmer months, Rock Center holds outdoor concerts. In the winter, it has the infamous Christmas Tree and ice skating rink, which are also great spots to propose to that special person in your life. If being on TV is your thing, then head over to NBC Studios.
Below Rock Center lies a maze of pedestrian tunnels extending to Times Square, a local’s secret. It’s packed with more shops to explore and restaurants to grab a quick bite. Anthropology is a must-stop for those seeking unique outfits or home accessories. The tunnels are also a great way to warm up or cool down depending on what time of year you are visiting. Take advantage of the seating near the skating rink to give your feet a rest while people-watching.
Across the street are Saks Fifth Avenue (or “Saks”) and the awe-inspiring St. Patrick’s Cathedral (or St. Pat’s). Window shopping at Saks is an inspiring experience, igniting those creative juices. During the holiday season, Saks comes alive with a breathtaking light show. If you appreciate beautiful Gothic Cathedrals, it’s a must to walk through St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Even if you are short on time, take a few minutes to admire the stained glass windows and stunning architecture. If you have more time, opt for the self-guided tour or sign up for a VIP experience tour where you’ll explore areas off-limits to the general public, including the crypt. If you want a memento of your visit, stop at one of their two gift shops – either inside the church or across the street on 51st.
There’s so much more to see, but for now, let’s stick to the highlights. I’ll be sure to share more in a separate city guide of NYC (or maybe even a few guides, there’s just that much to explore!).
Back to those NYC miles – remember the 10 miles I mentioned earlier? Now we are making our way up to Central Park. At this point, the temperature is rising so we shed our coats and conveniently store them in our trusty Levi’s® denim bag.
This bag is the perfect companion for carrying all of our essentials. It easily fits our coats, water bottles, snacks, and even unexpected purchases! The interior pocket holds smaller items like phones, glasses, and lip balm. The denim bag is durable like Levi's® iconic jeans. But the coolest detail? The outside pocket looks just like the back pocket of a pair of Levi's® jeans, complete with the signature arcuate stitching and red tab logo. The long handles make it comfortable to carry on my shoulder, and the bag is deep enough to fit everything we need for a day of exploration. This denim bag is truly built for urban exploration!
Versatility in Action: Exploring Central Park
Central Park is a welcome escape from the bustling city. It’s like a slice of suburbia with an urban flare. It’s nature mixed with beautiful architecture. This is a place where you want to stop and smell the roses – there are so many hidden gems inside Central Park that range from art, architecture, nature, and sports. While it’s tempting to try and see everything in one day, trust me, your feet will thank you for taking it slow!
Today’s adventure takes us to some familiar favorites and exciting new discoveries. We start out walking several blocks along winding paths through Hallett Nature Sanctuary. The lush woodland landscape transports us into nature, drowning out the city sounds to focus on the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.
We pass several rock outcrops that kids (and adults feeling like kids) are conquering. These are exceptional places for photo ops of beautiful landscapes with the city skyline in the background.
Several musicians fill the air with beautiful melodies, and entertain onlookers while enjoying the beautiful spring day. Some musicians are sharing their instruments, inviting the crowd to join in the fun. We spot artists sketching portraits for those who want a unique souvenir of NYC and Central Park, which we did several years ago with our kids. There’s something truly therapeutic about walking through the Park, enjoying the landscape, architecture, artists, and energy of this urban oasis. This is how we end up walking ten miles without realizing the distance we’ve traveled.
Following the curvy trails, we’re delighted to see cherry blossoms in full bloom. As we let the trail lead us to our next destination, we discover a hidden gem: the Ladies Pavilion, an elegant cast-iron structure built in 1871 to shelter carriage riders. This charming spot provides the perfect opportunity to rest for a few minutes and grab a refreshing water bottle from our ever-reliable Levi’s® denim bag.
Continuing on our unplanned route, we discover a group of turtles sunbathing along The Lake. The turtles almost look like statues, motionless on the rocks. Another first-time surprise awaits us - Belvedere Castle! Belvedere means “beautiful view” in Italian and it was built for visitors to enjoy the surrounding views, which include Turtle Pond, Great Lawn, and The Ramble. The castle can get busy, but within minutes, we were navigating the very narrow staircases to reach the upper levels and enjoying the breathtaking views.
Deciding to take a short break near the statue of King Jagiello, we reach for the snacks and water stashed conveniently in our spacious Levi’s® denim bag. Oh, and I didn’t forget about our other friendly companion – our daughter’s dog Izzy! Izzy is the most loveable and adorable dog that enjoys exploring Central Park as much as we do. Izzy needed a little longer break. So, she rested inside our comfortable Levi’s® denim bag, using our coats as a cozy cushion while still enjoying the sights through the open top.
Feeling recharged, we headed south to Bethesda Terrace. This is one of the most iconic features in Central Park and is a must-see! The terrace has two levels - both levels have piers depicting night and day (upper level) and the four seasons (lower level). Descending the stairs, we reach the lower level’s large plaza, home to the iconic Angel of the Waters fountain. This is a beloved work of art and another photo op to capture the beautiful fountain with the sweeping landscape in the background. It’s also another popular spot to propose to that special someone.
While at Bethesda Terrace, you must walk through the Arcade and look up at the ceilings to gaze at the 16,000 tiles painted with breathtaking scenes. On most days, we are mesmerized by a musician or two playing a cello, violin, or pipa that resounds throughout the Arcade. This picturesque setting is another popular spot for wedding or engagement photos – and with good reason!
With Izzy still comfortably nestled in our versatile Levi’s® denim bag, we make our way along the southeastern side of Central Park. Izzy takes a moment to admire the artwork lining the path and yearns over the thought of a milkshake. The spacious design of our Levi's® 100% cotton bag allows us to comfortably carry both Izzy and all the essentials we need for a fun-filled day in Central Park. It’s truly the perfect blend of style, durability, and versatility, all crafted from the iconic and trusted Levi's® brand that we’ve known and love!
Personalizing our Levi's® denim bag. (Credit: Michael G.)
Personalization and Customization at Levi's® Tailor Shop
This unforgettable NYC adventure solidified the usefulness and versatility of our Levi's® denim bag. To commemorate this special trip, we decided to personalize the bag at a Levi’s® Tailor Shop.
Levi’s® Tailor Shop offers various customization options, including embroidery, patches, and more. We designed our company logo to be embroidered on our denim bag and added an emblem of NYC. The tailor was very knowledgeable about designing our bag based on what we envisioned, giving the embroidery depth and dimension.
We absolutely love the personalized touch this adds to the bag! It’s no longer just a bag; it’s a one-of-a-kind memento of our NYC adventure, a reminder of the amazing memories we created with Izzy by our side.
The Perfect NYC Companion
NYC is a city brimming with energy, history, and endless possibilities for exploration. What better way to navigate its bustling streets than with a stylish and practical companion like the Levi's® denim bag? We've been lifelong Levi’s® fans, knowing it was founded over 150 years ago to create clothes built to endure anything. Seeing this same dedication to quality translated into a stylish, reusable bag gave us the confidence that it would hold up to the demands of exploring NYC.
Putting the bag to the test, we walked for miles throughout the city, carrying everything from our essentials like water bottles and snacks to our beloved Izzy. The bag not only proved its durability, but also surprised us with its remarkable versatility.
For those looking for a stylish, customizable, and durable bag from a long-standing brand, look no further than the Levi's® denim bag. This bag has the potential to become your trustworthy companion for countless urban adventures, just like it became ours!
Ready to embark on your own NYC adventure? Get your very own Levi’s® denim bag and start exploring!
Get your very own Levi’s® denim bag and start exploring!
