New York
I’m in New York for the New Year. I’m not concerned about the Times Square celebrations. At my age, new years do not matter! I’m past the point of no return. President Jimmy Carter died yesterday. He was 100 years of age. I doubt if I’ll see a century.
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Do not expect an in-depth review of every attraction visited. I’m just writing a few words and publishing some images. And I’ll finally sum up my feelings about this incredible city. Not only this, I’m writing about very popular and most visited attractions. Liz and I have been art galleries, ’main attractions’ and city stroller tourists for many years. Travelling to the USA and Europe combined with a car or motorcycle to cover distances. Then, to explore villages, towns or cities on foot or public transport without a plan. We decided to focus on tourist attractions this time because Liz’s daughter, son-in-law and her two grandchildren accompanied us.
I am looking along 7th Ave toward Central Park. The city is coming alive. Before I travelled, the forecast was for rain and possibly snow, so I anticipated a wet break. The forecast for the duration is for sunny weather and a brisk breeze. So, I take a chance and venture out without a coat most days. Indeed, I was blessed with the weather during the four days in New York. Most days were bright and cold, and only one was slightly cloudy.
Day One
The aircraft carrier USS Intrepid.
This was a major attraction for me, aircraft carrier, submarine and Concorde. Although Concorde was not visited, I’ve seen another at Duxford Air Museum. The exhibition exceeded all expectations. One has to visit an aircraft carrier to realise the size of the war machine. The statistics are incredible: 3000 crew, a million gallons of aviation fuel, served in three wars and was the primary recovery vessel for the Mercury and Gemini space capsules.
After Intrepid – The Highline.
The High Line is an elevated part of the old New York Central Railway. It has been renovated and converted into an (approx) one-and-a-half-mile-long and two-track-wide park. A stroller can walk the distance and enjoy a mix of art, landscape and attractions. It’s worth a visit and enjoyable. Beware, these are hundreds of people walking the line! My favourite aspect is looking into people’s apartments; as you guessed, heaps of money are needed to rent or buy in NYC. The insight into the wealthy people’s way of living is fascinating. You can view anything from amazing creativity to staid and unimaginative bleakness. I thank these people for the insight into their worlds: Keep your windows shutter and curtain free, my unknown friends. My voyeurism needs this enlightenment.
Day Two
Statue of Liberty.
Ellis Island Immigration Centre.
Loved The Statue of Liberty – Spent 10 minutes in the Ellis Island Immigration Centre.
Most know about the Lady who welcomes tens of millions of people to NYC. And, as usual for me, most significant attractions I have visited over the past 10 years have been covered in scaffolding. The lady was not fully covered with scaffolding; however, I had to make some tight crops with the images. I had little interest in the Ellis Island buildings. They are typical American government buildings. Inside Ellis are tens of depressing photographs of immigrants and their possessions. Of course, the facility is of immense importance to most Americans. After all, much of their hereditary history begins at Ellis.
Day Three
Tall Buildings – Rockafeller and Empire State Building.
Two magnificent sky-scrapers. I visit the ‘Rock’ during the day and The Empire State in the evening. Both have introduction displays. History and images of the building of the structures are informative. The Empire State Building’s historical presentation is many times better than the Rock. As is the quality of the upkeep of the Empire, it is notably superior. The views, of course, would be similar either by day or night. If you only had to choose, go for the Empire State Building, and I’d go at night if the weather is good. There seems little point if the weather is poor or the cloud cover is low!
Twin Towers Memorial.
There is little to write about this horrific act of human madness. The two waterfall pools built at the sites of the World Trade Centre Towers are a magnificent tribute to all who died and the millions afffected by the 9/11 day and aftermath. I was without words and full of sadness for all who died.
Day Four
Guggenheim.
Take half a day at The Guggenheim Art Museum – It contains a great collection of contemporary abstract works. You must look at the website to learn what is being displayed.
I enjoyed the:-
Thannhauser Collection
Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and modern French masterpieces from the Guggenheim’s collection, including works by Degas, Manet, Van Gogh, and more. And very good it was too. There is also a hidden reading room, which is not for everyone, and the books on the shelves are mainly obscure poetry. But a nice place to reflect.
Next Natural History Museum.
It is what it is! A massive museum dedicated to everything from the human brain to minerals and fossils. I am interested in a collection of ‘Hip Hop’ stars jewellery. It is so mad, so expressive that it is brilliant. I would think many of the pieces would buy a decent home. I asked if the diamonds were real or not. The attendant assured me that the gems were genuine and some pieces were worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
So that was the four days and nine attractions over. We walked about five miles daily, which is far too much for me. I’m carrying too much weight, and I’m paying the price.
Food-wise, there are two exceptional memories Friedman’s in Hell Kitchen (gluten-free traditional) and OcTo (Korean) near the Empire State Building, which are superb places to eat. Expect to pay $50 per head for a meal and about $10 per glass of beer at each establishment. Otherwise, you’ll get good and cheap food at Subway, which is everywhere. I did have a hotdog, which was $5 and nothing compared to street hotdogs available many years ago.
Notes.
Beer is expensive in bars, so buy it at liquor stores and drink it in your hotel room.
Buy the Metro Pass for city travel. At $34, it provides free travel for all buses, train and subway routes and is worth every cent. Also, a City Pass is essential for attractions; it offers a 44% discount on five attractions. Cost? $140.
Visitors to New York must accept it is a costly city to explore. Food, drink, accommodation and attractions will add up to a mind-boggling amount if one is not prepared. I’d budget for around $225 a day per person spending money if you want to enjoy the visit without pulling in the purse strings. And a eSim is must for phone use there are plenty availible online: cost $15/week for unlimited use, a real bargain.
Finally, buy plenty of plastic ducks and miniature statues for souvenirs; they are great fun and demonstrate you have no artistic, social or meaningful pretensions.
8 out of 10 – I will return without a doubt.
The Heart of the Mind 