Vacation – part 2 New York

Are you ready for this one….probably not when you see all the pictures.
I’ll try and just keep pictures going and not much chatter (but you know me!)

I’m going to have just New York in this post as it has the most pictures of all the trip and our most favorite day too.

We left Lancaster at 6 am after getting Dunkin Donuts for breakfast that we ate on the way….we had a schedule we wanted to keep and as the day progressed and finally got to the end we were spot on with timing – worked out beautifully.
We drove for 3 hours getting to Staten Island at 9 – easiest way to get into NY by any means is taking the Staten Island Ferry across to Battery Park – and it’s a pretty and also FREE ride as well.

Isn’t she a beauty – what a fantastic thing the state of NY does for its people offering this commuter ferry into Manhattan 24/7

 
Emily and Joe on the ferry
- it was a most windy ride…even Joe’s short hair is blowing -
Lady Liberty in the background

 

The first thing we did was head to Ground Zero
It was a challenge trying to find how to get the Free (donation) tickets to get in to view but after asking many wonderful helpful New Yorkers we finally found it.
Right across the street from the ticket place was the beautiful St. Paul’s Chapel built in the 1700’s that stood among all the chaos that took place on 9/11.
Here’s what the display said inside: “St. Paul’s Chapel, near the site of the Towers, opened its doors to the emergency responders, and volunteers appeared with food and socks, massaging hands and praying hearts. Volunteers continued to staff the Chapel for months afterward, and prayers were offered as human remains were sought and retrieved in the ruins of the Towers.”
People are still leaving flowers and mementos on the fence surrounding the church yard.

I didn’t get a picture of the outside but got one of Emily inside with the displays.

Ground Zero just made you want to cry at what took place there and the memorials that are now being put there are incredible.
The Reflecting Pools are so beautiful. I had more pictures but this is enough
 

Freedom Tower

Then we took a cab to Time Square…kids thought this was the ‘ultimate New York experience’
Our cab driver was a bit funny too – and the close calls had the kids in constant giggles.

So on to Time Square – lots happening there!
This ‘thing’ I think it was a man – took Emily and had a little fun with her.

Police Segways
 

And then a bit of the ‘unbelievable’
I don’t know what this was about but it speaks for itself…strange!!

After our tour of Time Square we headed for lunch at Ellen’s Stardust Diner
This is a fun-overpriced restaurant where your servers entertain you while you eat
and then pass the bucket for tips along with getting a tip on the bill!
Our lunch which was 2 Patty Melts, 1 Cheeseburger and a bowl of Macaroni & Cheese and 4 sodas and tip was $93.00 OUCH!!!
But the kids enjoyed it even though we were on the 2nd level
the servers entertain up there as well. They all try and get seen and get a part on Broadway
 

 

Then we got on the subway…another first for them…and headed up to Central Park.

We knew ahead of time that we would take a carriage ride in the park but when we got there a young guy hit us up for a Rickshaw ride and we were so glad we did that instead of the carriage.  We opted for the one and a half hour tour and so happy we did that as it took us through most of the park.

And of course we could not leave the park without seeing another ‘oddity’
I don’t have a clue!!!  He was just doing all sorts of Yogo moves – sort of reminded me of a sundial

We then stopped into the lobby of the Plaza Hotel.
I do so want to do this one day. 
They have several different types of Teas they offer but these were my favorites.
Now mind you this will never happen but it’s fun to dream!

CHOCOLATE TEA
SANDWICHES AND SAVORIES
Cucumber, Radish and Green Herbs
Smoked Salmon and Endive on Black Bread
Roquefort, Shaved Red Grapes and Watercress
Prosciutto, Mozzarella and Pesto
Roast Beef and Horseradish on Pretzel Roll
SCONES
Freshly Baked, Warm Seasonal Scones
Double Devonshire Cream, Lemon Curd and Preserves
PASTRIES AND SWEETS
Black and White Cookies, Apricot Rugelach, Chocolate Cupcake,
New York Cheesecake, Lemon Tea
$60 per adult

or this one…

ELOISE TEA
SANDWICHES AND SAVORIES
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Cucumber, Buttered Bread
Organic Peanut Butter and Jelly
Strawberry and Cream Cheese Sandwich
SCONES
Freshly Baked, Warm Seasonal Scones
Double Devonshire Cream, Preserves
PASTRIES AND SWEETS
Assorted Cookies, Chocolate Cupcakes, Pink Pink Jello,
Eloise Shortbread Cookies, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
COLD PINK LEMONADE
OR
PEPPERMINT ICED TEA
$50.00 Per adult

$20 dollar will be added per person for sharing

Wouldn’t it be fun to have one of those menus sitting in this grand dining room?
I see there were a couple of tables enjoying one of these special menus.

Then off to FAO Schwarz Toy story
Kids enjoyed the walk through there too – had their picture taken with some Legos
 

Oh and despicable me…isn’t he cute!!

After that it was on to the Empire State Building.

And just when you think you are over a thousand
miles from home someone yells…
’Well if it isn’t the Martinsens.’
Friends of Emily’s were there too…now what
are the odds of that happening again.

This was the last of the tour for them in New York…and for you too!
I know this was a long one but I never lied to you that’s why I broke it up for ya!
The next post will be of the last 3 days…not much going on just Hershey, Amish country and the Lititz Craft show.

Thanks for joining me again

Karen