We began our VERY busy Day 5 with a visit to Liberty Bagels for breakfast. I mean, aren't bagels like the official NYC breakfast or something? Afterward, we hopped on the subway and headed to Central Park.
We rented some bikes and biked the entire loop of Central Park. It's a big park! We did well until the northern most corner on the western side of the park - The Great Hill. Geez, the hill was big and the temps were toasty! Not sure what was so great about it!! Did I say already that it's a big park?!?
My guy and I made a pit stop by our Doodlebug's old apartment and sent her a pic!
Conservatory Garden
Lake for boat rides in Central Park
The Mall area of Central Park
After the bikes, we headed to Bloomingdale's from some much cooler shopping, then we stopped for lunch at a small pizza joint. We worked our way back to 5th Ave. stopping at Tiffany's where someone may or may not have treated themselves. I did resist their line for pooches thought but it was very tempting!
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Our next stop was Grand Central Terminal. No matter how many times I go into this building, I always enjoy the beauty and the thought that went into it. I mean, no one has to make a train station pretty but they really chose to do so! From there we took the subway to Washington Square Park right beside NYU. It's odd, NYU feels nothing like a university. Its buildings are just among other NY buildings. Without the flags and signs, one would never know. Maybe we caught it on a bad day, but Washington Square Park was nothing to write home about. Honestly, I thought we had stepped back in time to Woodstock or maybe I was visiting Boone. We didn't stay long though and hopped back on the subway to head downtown to the ferry station.
Grand Central
They found another Starbucks!
Washington Square Park
We took a ride on the Staton Island Ferry (which is the best deal in NYC - FREE!) and took in the views of the Statue of Liberty and the city from the water. After back on Manhattan we grabbed some dinner and then headed toward One World Trade.
The very tip of Manhattan
Ellis Island
We had 7:30 tickets to the One World Observatory. Even though it was a little hazy, the view was phenomenal! We could see sooooooooooo far. I am sure on a not hazy day it would be even better. I highly recommend the time slot as well! We were able to see the views in daylight, watch the sunset over New Jersey and then see Manhattan light up all in the same trip!
(All the pics from the observatory were taken through glass so ignore the reflections! :-))
The Oculus
One World Trade
Empire State Building
View of Manhattan with Hudson and East Rivers on each side
Teeny Tiny Statue of Liberty
Directly below One World Trade - center bottom is The Oculus and one of the Trade Tower Reflective Pools
102 stories in the air!
Hudson River
Brooklyn Bridge (long exposure)
New Jersey
New York
Time Lapse Videos of Sunset and Manhattan Lights from One World Trade
(Manhattan Lights Video courtesy of Julia)
We left One World Trade and made our way over to Pier 11 to catch a ferry ride on the East River. I honestly think this is one of the best secrets of the city! For the price of a subway ride, you can ride this ferry up the East River all the way to 90th street. At the night the views are amazing!
Empire State
Chrysler Building
Lighthouse at the end of Roosevelt Island
After the ferry, we headed back to the hotel to pack up and get ready to leave the next morning. It had been a VERY long and active day. I think I surely closed the rings on my Apple watch TWICE! I honestly, don't think we could have squeezed another thing into the day.
Saturday morning, we packed up the car and headed home. The trip overall was great. We saw soooooo much. The girls were wonderful! They were so pleasant and agreeable and fun to be around. I hope they made wonderful memories together! And I hope our Nutter Butter will remember it for a lifetime.
By the end of the trip we had logged over 2000 miles on the car (some of us had flight instead of land miles) and had been in 11 states: North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. I can't wait for the next trip!!
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