On our latest trip to Florida we continued our quest to see more of the USA and decided on a couple of nights in New York. The flight was just under two hours and we made our way by taxi to The Hudson Hotel which we had found on line. The hotel was built around 1920 as a dormitory and been given a make-over by a famous interior designer in a very modern style. The rooms were very small but cleverly designed and the hotel features a fabulous roof top bar and outdoor bar beautifully lit at night. It wasn' t very cheap but well worth the experience to stay right in the centre of New York in Manhattan.
First on our must do list was a chill out and picnic in Central Park just round the corner. We walked around the lake and saw lots of different wildlife and several great street acts and musicians. We returned to our hotel to unpack and have a cocktail on the roof terrace before a short tube ride to Broadway and Times Square. We didn’t have time to take in a show but we did have a very good meal at Hard Rock Café.
Next day we headed off again by tube to the area of the Staten Island Ferry where we took a cruise around historic landmarks including the Statue of Liberty – a great, quick way to see the sites and reasonably priced. We passed under Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and round Governors, Ellis and Liberty Islands.
Back on the underground again, we went to the Ground Zero monument. We found it incredibly moving and very tastefully presented. Eating Sushi on the move, we then walked down Wall Street before heading back again to the Empire State Building. We avoided the ticket touts outside and purchased our tickets direct at the entrance (top tip – this is quite a bit cheaper). After a good look around we decided to dine at a local restaurant before heading back for a well-deserved night cap before bed.
Our last day arrived and we were all rather shattered but we did manage a shopping trip to Fifth Avenue and the Rockerfeller Plaza, managing to find quite a few bargains in Macy’s before heading back to collect our cases from the hotel and get the taxi back to the airport. Yes it was hectic and not a cheap trip but the verdict of the young adults in the family was it was definitely worth it! Once we were back in the villa in the hot tub, the adults had to agree! !
First on our must do list was a chill out and picnic in Central Park just round the corner. We walked around the lake and saw lots of different wildlife and several great street acts and musicians. We returned to our hotel to unpack and have a cocktail on the roof terrace before a short tube ride to Broadway and Times Square. We didn’t have time to take in a show but we did have a very good meal at Hard Rock Café.
Next day we headed off again by tube to the area of the Staten Island Ferry where we took a cruise around historic landmarks including the Statue of Liberty – a great, quick way to see the sites and reasonably priced. We passed under Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and round Governors, Ellis and Liberty Islands.
Back on the underground again, we went to the Ground Zero monument. We found it incredibly moving and very tastefully presented. Eating Sushi on the move, we then walked down Wall Street before heading back again to the Empire State Building. We avoided the ticket touts outside and purchased our tickets direct at the entrance (top tip – this is quite a bit cheaper). After a good look around we decided to dine at a local restaurant before heading back for a well-deserved night cap before bed.
Our last day arrived and we were all rather shattered but we did manage a shopping trip to Fifth Avenue and the Rockerfeller Plaza, managing to find quite a few bargains in Macy’s before heading back to collect our cases from the hotel and get the taxi back to the airport. Yes it was hectic and not a cheap trip but the verdict of the young adults in the family was it was definitely worth it! Once we were back in the villa in the hot tub, the adults had to agree! !