The weather had cooled down a little and the sky was overcast so there was no hot sun to contend with. We weren’t sure of the best way to get to Times Square so Ron talked to the owner of the CG and found out that the PATH train would take us into Mid-Town to 33rd Street, just 9 blocks from Times Square.
We walked the mile to the PATH and the ride in was a breeze. No trains to change just a ride into town. Walking through NYC is like walking in another world. In the past we have never liked the traffic, noise and crowds opting instead for the solitude of the country, woods, and mountains. This time we have fallen in love with NYC.
The PATH/Subway Station in Mid-Town Manhattan.
NYC has certainly revitalized. The streets and sidewalks are really clean and beautiful floral planters are everywhere, reminding us of the city streets of another beautiful city, Chicago.
Again there were areas dedicated to the general public to just sit and relax throughout the city. It’s been a long time since we’ve actually walked all over NYC so maybe this isn’t new.
Ron thought these were cool looking shoes. A variety of shoes for the discerning buyer. LOL
Walking through Times Square in the early morning hours on a Sunday Morning - not too busy.
We stopped at Radio City Music Hall to buy tickets to the Backstage Tour but they wouldn’t let us in even to buy tickets because Ron had two bottles of water in his backpack. So we opted out of that one.
Instead we went to the Discovery Museum and took in the Terracotta Warriors exhibit. On the way to the museum we ran into the “Naked Cowboy” strumming his guitar and making the women swoon. He isn’t really naked and is wearing skimpy underwear. Of course I wasn’t looking. LOL
The woman hugging this guy was having a great time!
We have talked about going to China some day and the Terracotta Warriors were on the top of our list of things to see. And here they are (or a few of them) on display in NYC.
The Terracotta Warriors were found by accident by a local farmer who was digging a well to find water during a drought in China. As it turned out there was an entre army of Terracotta Soldiers as well as other artifacts found in the burial site. Each soldier has a completely different face and all are lined up in a military formation.
We were always under the impression that just warriors had been excavated but the Emperor had everything anyone could ever need in the after life carved to be buried with him. He was afraid to die but as it turned out he died at age 49. His death was believed to be caused by mercury poisoning because at that time it was believed that the silver elixir was the the road to good health – NOT SO MUCH!!!
Water catchment system and pipes used to bring water into the Temple.
All of the soldiers were six feet tall and made to perfection with human features. Animals were accurately depicted. Notice the flared nostrils on the horse. Just amazing.The figures weigh 500 pounds each.
The exhibit was amazing and took us about two hours to get through. The exhibit provided a glimpse into the past and now we really have to think about getting to China.
As we were leaving we noticed a kiosk for the “Cake Boss” Café. So of course we had to stop. We didn’t have a cupcake but did share a great chocolate mousse dessert. YUM!
The “Cake Boss” overlooking that little $10.00 chocolate mousse on the corner of the table. Yes folks we did pay $10.00 for that dessert!!!!
Our next stop was Rockefeller Center and a tour of the NBC Studios. Unfortunately there was no taping being done because it was Sunday and no pictures allowed because of copyright laws.
The tour was great and bought back memories when we had been there in 1969. We had gotten tickets to the “What’s My Line” show and now they produce Saturday Night Live in the same studio.
Then it was off to Saint Patrick's Cathedral. On our way to the Cathedral there was a film crew working. They were setting up for some action. We waited around for a little while but nothing was going on so we kept on walking.
Ron got a few pictures of the film crew and trucks. Notice the regular residential door on the trailer.
The film crew was still there three hours later but we never did find out what was being filmed.
We were unable to get a good outside shot because of all the scaffolding around the church. Another building in NYC going through renovations.
The Cathedral was spectacular to look at and be in. We were unable to stay too long because they were preparing for a Spanish Mass at 5 pm and the church was filling fast. If the mass was being said in English we would have stayed.
Next we walked back to Rockefeller Center and took in the Top Of the Rock at the very top of Rockefeller Center. The view from the top was magnificent and even though it was hazy we could see for miles.
Outside Rockefeller Center
People on the lower deck and the view of the skyline looking over Manhattan.
Inside the elevator you could look up at the glass ceiling and see the workings of the elevator and a laser light show. It was pretty cool.
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Once we completed our tour it was too late to tour anywhere else. Because it was Sunday almost every place shut down around 4:30 pm. Since we didn’t have lunch (except for our treat at the Cake Boss Café) we stopped for burgers at Bills Bar and Burger in Rockefeller Center.
The burgers were good albeit expensive and my one watered down small glass of ice tea cost $3.69. YIKES – I should have had plain water – it would have taste the same. LOL
We decided to walk to Grand Central Terminal and take a look around. I had never been there and it was on the top of my to see list.
On our way to Grand Central we passed by the film crew again. Still nothing happening but lots of police around.
We walked past the magnificent New York City Library. We would have liked to have been able to walk around inside but it was closed.
Bryant Park was directly across the street but we decided we would stop there on our way back from Grand Central Terminal.
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It was more beautiful inside then I had expected.
The entrances to the train tracks were also beautifully carved.
The blue ceiling with the constellations was difficult to capture in the picture below but it was just incredible.
This person had an interesting hairdo and outfit. It was hard to determine if he was part of a show or just had unusual taste in clothes and hair!
We decided to head back in the direction of Times Square and the PATH train. We stopped at Bryant Park to rest our feet and legs and enjoy the beauty of the area.
After leaving Bryant Park we made our way back to Times Square. It was certainly a lot busier in the evening then in the morning.
Times Square was wall to wall people and lots of lights. No energy saving going on here. Ron planned on staying until it got dark but at 8:30 pm we had put in a ten hour day and walked approx. 11 miles so we decided to head back to the train.
We got on the Path back to Jersey City and were totally amazed that the train was packed on a Sunday night at 8:45 pm. It was standing room only and a crushing standing room only crowd. The person standing next to me told me this was the usual weekend crowd.
Back in Jersey City we got off at a slightly different location. Still not too familiar with the area we started walking back to the CG. We both noticed that nothing looked familiar and realized we were walking in the wrong direction! DUH – just what we needed – to add more miles to our tired feet. Back at the CG there was no time to rest because Jewel needed her evening walk.
It was a great day and adventure. NYC will be on our list of stops in the future. It is a great city with lots to do. We still haven’t hit the museums – next time!
We will be heading home on Monday. Lots of things at home that need to be addressed. Ron is not too happy about that but we do have another trip coming up in August- so no whining please!
