Everyone should visit New York City at least once. There is just a different feel in this city than anywhere else. I love all the many races, cultures and people all blended together in one place. I love the grittiness of the sidewalks and subways. I love all the things to do and places to see. We packed a lot into our 3 days in New York and in the end my boys said their favorite part was: the pizza 😋 Maybe when they are older they will go back and enjoy some of the more sophisticated things New York has to offer:)
We got really good at navigating our way around the city on the subway.
First thing we did, took a ferry out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Such a great view of the Manhattan skyline!
Coming up to Lady Liberty.
Up close it really is amazing. We enjoyed the museum on the island that walks your through how the statue was built and how it has become a symbol of freedom for people all over the world.
On Ellis Island we took a minute to research our Durtschi family that came through Ellis Island in 1908.
Hyrum's grandfather Fredrick Durtschi (listed as Fritz) on line 21 of the immigration form. It was really neat to see the actual roster that listed the Durtschi family as they immigrated from Switzerland so long ago!
One of the many halls that processed immigrants as they came to America through Ellis Island.
A view of Ellis Island from the ferry boat.
We walked past Trinity Church in Manhattan where Alexander Hamilton is buried. We were not allowed into the church or cemetery because of Covid but we got this photo through the gate on the sidewalk:)
At the 9/11 memorial. This fountain is such a great place to sit and reflect on the events that happened on 9/11/2001. I felt the memorial was very well done and honored the victims of that day.
A white rose is place on a name when it is the persons birthday. What a beautiful way to celebrate a life.
The 9/11 museum was also very well done. It was heartbreaking and educational and totally brought me back to that day and the feelings I felt. My kids, who were all born after 9/11 really took their time in this museum to learn and read about the events of that day and the stories of the lives that were lost. It was a wonderful, but hard experience.
A pillar that survived the collapse of the World Trade Center became a place for people to leave photos and messages to those that were lost.
Walking around beautiful Manhattan after seeing the museum and being amazed at how a city can come back from such tragedy. Way to go New York City!
Enjoying a slice of Joe's pizza. I had to teach my kids how to eat a real New York pizza. First you fold the slice...then you eat the slice 😆
The kids wanted to just rest up at our apartment so Hyrum and I took a walking tour around Washington Park neighborhood in Manhattan. This place was hopping with people selling things, playing music, hanging out and eating good food. What a fun place!
The subway gets pretty crowded at night!
The next day we took the kids to the Natural History museum. We thought we would spend a few hours here but our boys were having such a great time exploring around we stayed for 5 hours!
One of the main halls in the museum. This place is unchanged since the 1930's and was really interesting to see how they displayed the animals. I can imagine that in the early 1900's this would have been amazing to see these animals up close. Now, with such amazing photography and film we really forget how rare it must have been to see these animals on display.
The amazing Hall of Biodiversity
I found this quote to be quite right!
So many wonderful and amazing things to see in this museum, I guess I can see why my kids didn't want to leave.
Having fun exploring China town
Dinner in China town was an "experience" ...just not sure I want to experience it again:)
After China Town we made our way to the Brooklyn Bridge and walked across this famous structure. What a cool experience!
Sunset on the Brooklyn Bridge
Simply a beautiful structure
On the way back to our apartment we got to see a REAL NYC rat eating some bread on the subway tracks! Now I can truly cross off all my NYC must sees:)
The best way to start a day in NYC...bagels!
Sesame bagel with cream cheese and lox...delicious!
Our trip to the Museum of Modern Art didn't go as Hyrum and I expected. We thought the boys would find the paintings and sculptures at least interesting or funny but they were completely disgusted with this artwork. Many comments of, "this is shit" or "I could paint that myself" And for some of the museums collection I would agree with them but I was sad they couldn't at least enjoy the fact they were seeing world famous works of art by important artists.
Checking their iPhones instead of looking at the artwork...maybe when they get older they will appreciate this stuff?
I loved this museum and thought it was neat to see all these paintings I had only ever seen on slide in my Humanities Classes:)
But then you had things like this...is this really an "art" installation or just some helium balloons?
Julian, "get me out of this museum!"
Even though my boys didn't like the museum I still thought it was a fun and interesting introduction for them to modern art.
We needed to get some fresh air after that museum experience so we headed over to Central Park. This is the Alice in Wonderland sculpture at the park, I liked the cat:)
Emerson took a photo of Hyrum and I on this pretty bridge
After the calm and beautiful Central Park we made our way to the crazy and loud Times Square!
A view of the Empire State building from Gramercy Park. We didn't spend the money to go to the top of the building but it was still a beautiful building from the outside.
After dropping kids off at the apartment Hyrum and I spent a lovely evening walking along High Line Park. This was an old elevated train line that they made into a walking trail with benches and plants. It was really lovely
We ended our evening with a sunset over the Hudson River
On our way out of NYC Emerson really wanted to stop and see the "Joker stairs" made famous by Joaquin Phoenix in the movie "Joker" There is a scene where he dances down these stairs. It was a fun last stop in NCY before heading out of town.
From New York City to Washington DC we had 3 choices.
1. Stop in Philadelphia to see some historic sites and eat a Philly cheesesteak
2. Visit Gettysburg and learn about the famous battle from the Civil War
3. Go to a beach on the Atlantic Coast somewhere
After so much traveling and walking around busy, crowded cities we decided we needed a break from the chaos and chose to visit the ocean. Hyrum found a great spot on Fenwick Island in Delaware. What a great time we had playing in the waves and soaking up the sun. Although I lost both my hat and glasses...I would pick the beach again:)
Enjoying some yummy frozen custard after our day at the beach
So long New York...off to Washington DC. I thought New York was wonderful and such a great place to visit and explore. My boys, not so much. I think Emerson said, "I will never go back to that wretched city." 😆
No comments:
Post a Comment