Before visiting New York, or anywhere for that matter, making a list of things you want to see and accomplish is a good idea. Over plan. If you don’t get to all of it at least you won’t waste time by not having enough on your list. Also making restaurant reservations and securing theatre tickets well in advance allows you to make the most of your time.
The list you make depends on how many visits you’ve made. This was my fifth trip to NYC therefore this list differs from the list I made on my first trip. This trip was theatre and food oriented, although several items include neither. This is our agenda including reactions to several of them.
DAY 1
1. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. The site of many TV and movie scenes, this iconic walk provided dazzling views of the harbor and the city. The bridge was under construction which impaired views to the west but most of what you want to see like The Statue of Liberty and the harbor were easily visible.
Overall the experience did not disappoint. Definitely worth it.
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| On a clear day the view from the bridge is quite something. |
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| The iconic walk. |
2. Investigate DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) I desperately wanted to lunch at The River Cafe. Repairs are still being made from the devastation it incurred from Hurricane Sandy. My visit there was not to happen. Instead we lunched at 7 Old Fulton which provided just the right amount of local color.
3. Ride a water taxi from Brooklyn to 34th street via the East River. For only $4 you can take the scenic route back to Manhattan avoiding the $20 cab ride.
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| The pier in DUMBO where the water taxi originates. The view here is not shabby either. |
4.Visit Madison Square Park. This park in the Flatiron District features art installations and abnormally friendly squirrels.
5. Stop by The Little Church Around the Corner. This little church at 48East 24th Street is steeped in history and is still operational today.
6. Dine at The NoMad. My thoughts on this are contained in my previous blog.
7. Night Cap at the Library Hotel Bar.
DAY 2
1. Breakfast at the Brooklyn Diner. When visiting NYC it is almost mandatory to experience a New York deli or diner. This diner did not disappoint.
2. Take a walking tour of Central Park. Having had a pedi-cab Tour of the southern section of the park two years ago, I wanted to explore the northern section. Blessed with a beautiful day, the two hour walking tour allowed us to see even more than we anticipated. We saw The Reservoir, climbed the narrow stairs of Belvedere Castle, rambled through The Ramble, whispered at the Whispering Bench, strolled along Shakespeare’s Garden, saw the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, awed at Cleopatra’s Needle Obelisk, took pictures at Bethesda Terrace and learned much about the historical, political and social make up of the park from our well-informed Tour Guide, Jayda. Our tour ended at the Loeb Boathouse where we lunched on beet salad and salmon while watching the canoes on the lake. I enthusiastically endorse taking a tour of the park and eating at the Boathouse.
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| The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Central Park |
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| Belvedere Castle. Photo courtesy google images. |
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| Alice in Wonderland Sculpture. Photo courtesy google images. |
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| View of the Lake from our table in The Loeb Boathouse. |
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| Beet salad at The Boathouse. |
3.Buy chocolates at Payard’s. Payard’s now located in the lower level of The Plaza Hotel in the Todd English food court, offers fabulous French chocolates. The food court, new since my last trip, features all sorts of food areas. An oyster bar caught my eye and provided a delicious snack and a half dozen oysters "on the house”. Free food in NYC. Go figure.
4.See Matilda The Musical. The musical is the song and dance version of Roald Dahl’s book. It is difficult to imagine this much talent in people so young. The singing, dancing and acting chops of this cast blew me away. Do these kids start taking singing lessons when they are three? There is something for everyone in this production. I give it a big thumbs up.
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| Matilda the Musical. Photo courtesy of google. |
End Day Two
New York Trip Blueprint.....to be continued
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