Of course NYC is going to be crazy in December. Shoppers, tourists – and now police and political protesters everywhere. But last weekend’s trip sent me Over The Edge. 5th Avenue was a nightmare – literally shoulder-to-shoulder with the masses. Don’t think I can handle those crowds again.
But despite my bitching, we had a good time and did entirely touristy things. And the weather was perfect – crisp, clear Autumn days.
Rockefeller Center was also packed, but it’s the first time I’ve seen the tree up and decorated, so we persevered.
It all felt very Christmasy, between the skaters at Rockefeller Center and our hotel room directly overlooking the Wollman Rink in Central Park. Shout out to Serendipity!
Our hotel (The Pierre) from Central Park:
After a quick line-up (I lie – well over an hour), we also went up WTC1 to the observatory on the 102 floor (really 100-102), for a spectacular view of the new Frank Gehry tower (Beekman Tower) and the bridges of Manhattan over the East River (Manhattan Bridge to the north, Brooklyn Bridge to the south):
And of course the 9/11 memorial, which is beautifully understated – serene and somber.
https://www.911memorial.org/design-overview
Just happened to be standing by the name of a 9/11 victim with the same name as my brother:
And visited Grand Central Station the morning before we left – it always surprises me how beautiful it is.
