Pictures: Lyle Such
Camera: Canon 5d Mkiii
Manhattan
We had been interested in visiting New York for a while, but it never really fit into our travel plans. With Nini looking at colleges on the East Coast including NYU, we thought it would be the perfect time to take a trip to the Big Apple. We rented a small, cozy Air B&B in Manhattan which was on the same block where an apartment explosion had happened just a week prior to our arrival. Only residents of the street were allowed into the area, so it felt like we had a quiet, peaceful little oasis in the middle of bustling Manhattan.
We explored several neighborhoods, and of course had to try the famous New York pizza. For transportation we tried our luck with the subway system, walked many miles, and took an Uber to see what traveling the streets would be like.
Broadway Show
I consulted with a friend back in Los Angeles on which show would be the most interesting for the three of us, and we decided to see Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I had no idea what the show was about, and was pleasantly surprised at how unique and entertaining the story was. I’m not sure if I could have handled any more Broadway shows...one seemed to be the perfect amount!
World Trade Center
Following the September 11 attack and destruction of the Twin Towers, the World Trade Center was rebuilt as a complex that includes the One World Trade Center building and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
The building itself is an impressive sight. Standing at 1,776 feet tall (referencing the signing of the Declaration of Independence), it is the tallest building in the United States. The shiny triangular planes gleam in the sun and the massive structure towers over the more traditional architecture of the surrounding neighborhood. The memorial is a sobering reminder of the terrorist attack which killed 2,983 people and is located where the Twin Towers once stood. Each victims’ name is inscribed in one of 152 bronze parapets overlooking the memorial pools.
Visiting a site like this while on vacation is a valuable experience, and every individual takes away something personal and unique. It can be educational, emotional, inspiring, or even terrifying. We walked around, took some pictures, and tried to find the balance of enjoying a beautiful day in the park with remembering a horrific day in our country’s history.
Times Square
A trip to New York wouldn’t be complete without visiting Times Square. Despite the frigid temperatures, the famous square was full of tourists taking pictures, shopping, and waiting in line to score tickets to the highly sought after Broadway shows. We wandered around for a little while, people-watching and marveling at the gaudy but mesmerizing display of billboards and lights.
30 Rock
After a quick walk past the ice skating rink at Rockafeller Center, we entered 30 Rock for our scheduled tour to the Top of the Rock Observatory. The elevator whisked us quickly up 70 floors to the top deck, which had 360° views of the beautiful nighttime New York skyline. Along with Tokyo, this has to be one of the best city views.
The lights seemed to stretch all the way off into the horizon. It was freezing cold, so we could only spend a short time taking in the views before we had to get back inside to warm up.
Statue of Liberty
Another must-see landmark in New York is, of course, the Statue of Liberty. We took the ferry out and enjoyed the walk around the island. The line to enter the statue was a little long for us, so we opted to just enjoy Lady Liberty from the ground.
Ellis Island
Another must-see landmark in New York is, of course, the Statue of Liberty. We took the ferry out and enjoyed the walk around the island. The line to enter the statue was a little long for us, so we opted to just enjoy Lady Liberty from the ground.
Touring Ellis Island was a fascinating experience. The museum does a great job explaining the past and how this was a place of both hope and despair. They do not sugar-coat the history .
Looking around, it was clear that many people were emotionally affected by their visit to Ellis Island. I would imagine that if your family has recently immigrated, there would be a deep connection to this type of facility.
Brooklyn
My favorite experience visiting New York was crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. The walk felt like such a uniquely New York thing to do. We reached Brooklyn in time to watch a georgous sunset lighting up the sky behind the Manhattan skyline. What a perfect way to finish a day of exploring.
The Met
We try to limit our museum visits when traveling, so we decided the one museum we had to see was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met is the largest art museum in the United States, and its collection was immense and impressive to see in person. I feel like we only got a taste of what was inside. To see it properly would probably take at least two full days.
High Line Park
We spent part of the cold but sunny afternoon walking along the High Line, a 1.5 mile elevated linear park built along an old railroad track with great views of the Hudson River.
Woolworth Building
With all the beautiful architecture within New York, it was difficult to choose which building to tour. We decided on the Woolworth Building. Completed in 1912, this 60 story neo-Gothic masterpiece was conceived by F.W. Woolworth and remained the tallest building in the world from 1912-1930. As impressive as the outside was, the tour showed us that the interior was even more spectacular.
Our tour, led by what could have been a Michael Stipe impersonator, led us through the lobby and the lower portion of the building. The interior was filled with intricate carvings, murals, and several whimsical grotesques depicting twelve people who had a major role in the building’s construction, including Woolworth himself.
