Since we had to wait a few hours until check-in began at our hotel, we ate lunch in Times Square after storing our bags with the hotel bellman.

From there, we walked along 42nd to see Grand Central Terminal, then up Madison to walk into the lobby at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Afterwards, we walked into St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Then it was time to hit Fifth Avenue and all its stores. Not much impressed my daughter. In fact, she was incredulous. “Do people really pay $2,400 for a dress?” she asked at Bergdorf Goodman. Even Tiffany’s failed to elicit a response.

She perked up a bit when walking through the Plaza Hotel, I mentioned this was where “Eloise” and “Home Alone 2” were filmed. At Rockefeller Center, I showed her the ice skating rink and the plaza where the “Today Show” is broadcast.

But we found the jackpot when we entered M&M’s World in the heart of Times Square. Three stories high, the retailer sells every color imaginable, not only in the candy, but in logo apparel, hats and backpacks.

Not to be outdone, Hershey’s has opened their own store across the street. Inside, they offered free Hershey kisses to everyone who entered.

Later that evening, we explored more of Times Square. Her favorite part – the four floors of the Forever 21 store where she spent hard-earned babysitting money on a pair of jeans.

Here I thought I had planned a great walking tour of New York and realized we could have just stayed in Times Square the entire time!