Oh. My. I really do. I can't wait to go back. We didn't see a third of the things we wanted to. I do have trouble walking, and walking is a must....mum was struggling too. But OH. MY. What a city!
Outside the Port Authority Bus Terminal
We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Secaucus, New Jersey. Took us 12 hours to get there from Detroit [lots of potty stops for mum]. Very nice hotel, the staff was awesome, clean and comfortable rooms. The bus to NY picked us up right across the street from the hotel, and the bus stop had a vending machine to buy tickets. We went through the Lincoln Tunnel into the city, and were dropped off at the Port Authority Terminal, where you can also pick up the subway.
Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden, outside Port Authority
We were a little overwhelmed at that point, but my niece met us there and took charge of us poor tourists. Our first stop was City Quilter!
Inside City Quilter
What a lovely store, and really nice folks there. Everywhere we went in New York, the people were so nice - and we felt totally safe the entire time. New York felt more like a large village to me than anything else. I did make a purchase at City Quilter, I'll show you another time.
Empire State Building
Our next stop was Times Square. We walked there. And walked. And walked some more. The closer we got, the more congested it got, and by the time we got to the M&M Store it was hard to move. Inside the store was insane.
The only thing I got at the M&M Store was a lovely padded pair of M&M slippers. John got a pound of M&M's, cost him $15! Walls and walls of candy. This was the only part of the city I didn't enjoy - far too crowded. We did see the Naked Cowboy [plays guitar in his underwear] and the Candy Man [dressed only in candy necklaces - had a skirt made of them].
We all got hot dogs from a street vendor, oh yum. Then headed back to the hotel to sleep - we had been up since 1:30am, on the road since 3am. The next morning, we got back on the bus, and took the subway all the way down to the World Trade Center Memorial.
Mum on the subway
We had made reservations the night before to go inside, but got there late and our tickets had expired. So we just walked around and enjoyed looking at the buildings, and slowly made our way toward Battery Park and the Staten Island Ferry.
We walked by Trinity Church, and stayed for about an hour. It was lovely. Very close to the WTC.
Alexander Hamilton is buried in the churchyard, along with several other notables. The interior is stunning.
I don't know what this building was, but I loved it.
At Battery Park near the Staten Island Ferry
We finally arrived at the Staten Island Ferry.
Interesting food kiosk outside the terminal.
The ferry holds a massive amount of people. Here's John, Sam and mum on the ferry, and the Statue of Liberty from the ferry - with zoom.
After the ferry ride [free], we headed back to the subway right outside the terminal and rode it all the way back up to Central Park, where we met my niece and her girlfriend again. I met two of the nicest gentlemen from England on the subway - we chatted like best friends for the entire ride. They had flown in from London, it only took them 7 hours - it had taken us 12 to drive from Detroit! They were at their first stop on a cross-country journey, heading toward San Diego, I believe.
We didn't get far. It's very hilly in there, and mum was struggling, so we left and headed slowly back to the Port Authority. Some interesting sights along the way...
Lincoln Center
Metropolitan Opera - they were having a free concert, but we couldn't stay
I could have walked for days, looking at the architecture of New York. I love the contrast between the very old and the very new, side by side, existing in such harmony.
And I could do a whole picture post of doors. Love the doors.
And that was it. We went back to the hotel, and next morning bright and early, we headed home. Through the Appalachians, Allegheny and Pocono mountains, I think. They were big, whatever they were.
No idea how high up we were - we were in the clouds.
My poor Toyota Rav4 didn't like the mountains. There was one steep hill coming out of New Jersey, it was 5 miles long and it was so hard to maintain my speed! On the way home, I had to put the a/c on to keep the car from overheating, but we made it. Turns out my heater core might have gone bad, so thank you Lord for getting us safely home.
Whew. I want to go back. I want to take a year and thoroughly explore the city. So much we didn't get to see! But so much we did, lol! Now, I need to get out of vacation mode, and try to catch up on blogging and emails, if that's even possible. And I suppose I should unpack sometime today.....I guess I'll go get more coffee. See you soon....