How do you visit Central Park? It’s a landmass of over 800 acres with seven lakes, a zoo, five visitor centers, two restaurants, gardens, statues and a carousel. Some people spend an entire day there and others just see it from the Plaza Hotel. You can take a guided tour, visit a specific attraction, catch a concert or even rent a boat.
(more…)
Poignant. Somber. Sobering.
The last time I had been a tourist in NYC was a few months before September 11, 2001. Although the next trip was two years after that tragic day; we were in the city for a family wedding, not for sightseeing. I got off easy that trip, but knew the next trip would include a trip to Ground Zero.
There are two parts: the memorial, which is outdoors and free to the public and the museum, which lies between site of the original twin towers and charges admission. (more…)
I took my daughter to the Tenement Museum on our last visit to NYC. Why? Because it was in all the guide books and because it was one of the few things I’d never done before.
It was so worth it. Our guide Fielding Kong was excellent. We learned about the building was built around 1863. Five floors, no elevator and no hallway lighting. No bathrooms, no sinks. You had to use one of 4 privies in the back – and these were shared by visitors to the saloon as well. (more…)
Our girls have wanted to see the Big Apple for a long time. Although they’d been for a family wedding as toddlers, they obviously had no recollection of it. Both my husband and I have done numerous trips to the city so it wasn’t on our radar for a “see something different” vacation. Schedules opened up and I could take one daughter on a mother-daughter trip to New York for three nights. We hit the ground running and didn’t stop until we got on the return plane home.
Per my daughter’s requirements, she didn’t just want to do a bunch of museums. I had to create an itinerary to give her a good overview of Manhattan with a blend of tourist sites, walking around, shopping and dining.
The best way to see the city is to walk. And walk we did. Another great way to see it is by taking the subway. With a refillable Metro card, we got around everywhere by subway or bus. I’m proud to say we only took one cab ride during the entire trip. (more…)