PitStop in New York
What we did fit in in our one day in the City was not only amazing to see, but also considering the amount of time we were in the city a little bit crazy! We arrived in New York at about half ten in the morning and went straight to the W New York which is in Lower Manhattan close to the memorial site of 9/11. We did not actually stay in the hotel, but we did however have an amazing delicious lunch... Burger for me, and a tour of the hotel rooms, some have a view over the river which is really special especially considering the hotel is situated in the centre of lower Manhattan.
After lunch and fully stuffed we headed off for a walking tour of wall street learning all about the rise and fall and also all about how it has changed from when it originally started to what it is now. From here we finished at the memorial site, it really is something that can't be explained. I don't think the magnitude of the events that took place that day can be fully realised until you have seen the memorial museum. I could have spent hours and hours in there taking in the details of the exhibits, it is completely heart-breaking and something everyone who visits the city should take a moment to see and reflect on. Unfortunately for us the One World Observatory has not been opened just yet it actually opens May 29th.
Next on the to-do list was an evening boat trip to see the statue of liberty whilst the sun set. Isn't she incredible and to get to take pictures just in front of her as the sun sets is a definite must do! These are probably some of my favourite pictures of the whole trip! Not only the site of the statue of liberty, you also get to see the whole of Manhattan from the water which is just an incredible view. After an amazing meal at Fino Restaurant we decided to head to midtown and see Times Square. WOW, it's massive, the lights and everything, you see it in films and on the TV but it is still not what I expected at all. It is definitely something that needs to be seen to be believed... no street lights needed here!
So at 1am when you think things should be quietening down, they are most definitely not, it really is the city that never sleeps. We headed to the Empire State building (tip the later you can go the better) there was no queue at all, and we headed up to see the Manhattan skyline in all its glory with the buildings lit up.
A limo ride back to the Holiday Inn Lower Manhattan rounded off a manic day nicely, before a few hours sleep in a comfy bed ready for a trip on the Amtrak to Philadelphia... but more about that another time. So that is our quick tour of New York!