1. Central Park
Beautiful in autumn, vast, so I only saw bits of it. I enjoyed Strawberry Fields, Alice in Wonderland, the boating lake and a pumpkin muffin and earl grey tea in Le Pain Quotidien.
2. Brooklyn Bridge
A most unexpected bridge with the walk way in the middle of its famous intricate structure. Quite a walk with breathtaking views all round.
3. Lincoln Center
It was nearly sunset when I visited and the center was at its most glittering. All the theatres in the center looked lovely and inviting. The most spectacular was the Metropolitan Opera House. Unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to see an opera, but I did visit the gift shop and bought a postcard.
4. Grand Central Terminal
The most beautiful railway station I've ever seen. The zodiac ceiling is exquisite and the polished surfaces, grand staircases and sparkling main hall are all quite mesmerising. I lingered a while and drank iced tea in the downstairs food hall.
5. Metropolitan Museum of Art
I thought it would be good, but it turned out to be even better. The building itself was spectacular and beautiful and likewise the exhibits within. My favourite of all was the recreation of a Frank Lloyd Wright drawing room, but there was so much more, the recreation of rooms from French palaces and an Egyptian tomb were also further highlights.
6. New York Public Library
I have never before encountered such a beautiful public library as the one on 42nd Street New York. The entrance reminded me of the Paris Opera House. The reading rooms were grand, gorgeous and open to anyone. A very inspiring space.
7. Staten Island Ferry
I didn't want to do anything too touristy on my holiday and someone suggested that viewing the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry was a good alternative to an organised tour of Liberty Island. They were right, it was good enough for me and Staten Island is also an interesting place to visit if you have time to linger a little while.
8. Poe Cottage
Being a big Edgar Allan Poe fan I felt I couldn't leave New York without visiting Poe's Cottage and visitors' centre located in Poe Park, the Bronx. It was an unexpected pleasure to enjoy the personal talk, brief tour and film about the last three years of Poe's life, looking after his dieing wife and finally making that last fateful trip to Baltimore, all from this tiny home. It was all very sad, sobering and poignant, not to mention thought provoking.
9. The Highline
A disused railway line turned into a beautiful park; the idea itself is wonderful. I walked all along the High Line back and forth and enjoyed all of it. Amongst the autumnal leaves and flowers were weird, modern art sculptures every so often and some of the most comfortable street furniture I've had the pleasure to sit on.
10. Coney Island
I could not have gone to New York and not visited Coney Island. I did not know what to expect, October is most definitely out of season. What I received was unexpected and intriguing. The strong Atlantic winds blew across the promenade, which was eerie and nearly deserted except for a few stragglers. All was shut, including Nathans, except for one lone retro beach shop. I'm glad I got there.
11. 9/11 memorial
Like all great cities New York has had its fair share of rough and smooth, good and bad. I found the 9/11 memorial a particularly touching commemoration of this, most possibly, darkest episode in the life of this beautiful city.
12. Top of the rock
I felt I couldn't leave New York without getting high up and looking down at the city from a great height. I chose the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Center for this particular experience. It cost a bit of time and money to do it, but I think the views speak for themselves.
These are merely my highlights, the list could go on but for now I will stop there.
No comments:
Post a Comment