Final leg of our trip was New York City (NYC). Half of our NY trip was spent in this beautiful city. Even though it has rows and rows of buildings, each building has its own unique structure. The city has a mixture of new and old buildings too! At every turn of a corner, there seems to have a construction going on. It seems that the city is never free from constructions!
We spent most of the time going for sight-seeing. There were just too many places, but too little time. Commuting from one place to another wasn't difficult at all! New Yorkers are generally quite friendly. Even though I didn't have a physical map with me, I was able to move from one place to another by asking directions. The Metro subway lines can be very confusing, but very comprehensive and convenient. On the last day when my spouse was supposed to take a domestic flight for his business trip, he took the wrong train and missed his flight!
When you're in New York City, don't forget to book a day trip to Woodbury Premium Outlet where they sell premium brands at a discount. Brands like Kate Spade, Coach, Kenneth Cole, Nike, Nine West, Osh Gosh etc are good American brand buys. Actually, one full day for us wasn't enough! I covered barely 50% of the shops!
We stayed in Hampton Inn Madison Square. It was one of the cheaper accommodation I found in NYC. You know how expensive it is to live in cities like this. So you can expect the room to be very small, but comfortable.
These were the places we covered - Empire State Observatory, Cruise to view Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller, Woodbury Premium Outlet, Charging Bull, 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, Times Square and Grand Central Terminal. Of course, more shopping in Macy's and JC Penny.
I would love to go back there again...some day. However, before I do, I'll have to be well prepared mentally and physically to go through at least 20hours of flight time and transit.
Overcast in New York City
9/11 Memorial
Memorial Pool
Original lower level structure of the previous World Trade Center
Hampton Inn Madison Square Hotel
Our hotel room
Hampton Inn in-house cafe - whole day beverages available
Woodbury Premium Outlet
Empire State Building
View from 86th floor Empire State Observatory - Lower Manhattan
View from 86th floor Empire State Observatory - Statue of Liberty
View from 86th floor Empire State Observatory - Central Park
View from 86th floor Empire State Observatory - Chrysler Building
View from 86th floor Empire State Observatory - United Nation Headquarters
View from 86th floor Empire State Observatory - zoomed to street level
View from 86th floor Empire State Observatory - upclose with Chrysler Building
View from 86th floor Empire State Observatory - Panoramic view
Times Square
Bubba Gump Restaurant
Circle Line cruise
Cruise to view Statue of Liberty
Brooklyn Bridge
Rockefeller Center
Lego Shop
Europa Cafe
Famous Fifth Ave
Chrylser Building at night
NYPD cars around Times Square. Stand by for "Occupy Wall Street" march at Times Square.
Times Square Subway
Subway train
Charging Bull
Wall Street
New York Stock Exchange
Grand Central Terminal
Famous Dave's BBQ
M&M's boutique - 3 storey high
Hershey's shop
Martinique Cafe
Empire State Building