New York City

We decided to take a trip to the Big Apple over Thanksgiving Break...we all wanted to see what life was like in a big city.  It was COLD while we were there...we got very comfortable wearing hats, gloves, and scarves! 

We stayed at a hotel right on 7th Avenue next to Bryant Park.  It was a great location that allowed us to walk pretty much everywhere we wanted to go.

 

Our first night found us in Times Square.  It was amazing how bright it was with all the lights.

"Annie" was the first show we saw.  It was impressive...even though we were in the nose bleed section.  Thank goodness for binoculars!

Going on the Subway was always an adventure.  I'd probably get the hang of it after having to ride it everyday for a week.  I was just a follower, though, and hoped I didn't get separated from my group!

Monday morning Mara had a tour scheduled at Julliard...while walking there we just accidentally ran into the Manhatten Temple!  It was neat to see a piece of heaven in the middle of the big city.

 

It was fun to go with Mara to Julliard.  It's an ambitious place....Mara asked how many flutes they take each year and they told her about 4.  Hmmmmm.....

 

We got some good food from the street cart.

 

We took a walking tour of the city...Central Park was one of our first stops.

We also made it to Grand Central Station.

This was our tour guide...she safely navigated us through the streets of New York and on the subway.

Down in the money section of town....

The 911 Memorial was a must on our list.  It was sobering to remember the events of that day.  Actually being in the city and staying in a high rise hotel, I can't even imagine the horror of that day when the Twin Towers were crashed into by 2 airplanes and subsequently collapsed.  Can't even imagine. 

 

Went to Chinatown...got some good food.

The view of New York City from the Statue of Liberty.

 

Ellis Island...we didn't get to spend much time there, but it was neat to walk where some of our ancestors probably did as they entered America.

 

Sam viewing the city from the Top of the Rockefeller Center.

 

Saw the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Show....very good.

 

We went back up to the Top of the Rockefeller Center at night....unfortunately it was raining and foggy....but we still got a taste of the city at night.

 

Rockefeller Plaza

 

Wicked - still good the 2nd time!

 

FAO Schwartz toy store...didn't buy anything, but it was fun to look around.

 

The Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade...our hotel was right along the Parade Route, so we didn't have to go far.  We didn't get up at 5:00 a.m. to get a front row seat, though, so it was still hard to see a lot of the parade as it went by.

 

Shopping in Times Square.  Amazed at how large the stores are there...some of them are like 4 floors.

 

Went to see Phantom of the Opera...a classic.

 

Loved all the shows....would love to go there again to see some more shows.  I wouldn't want to live in New York City....Mara would.  It was a good experience....for some reason these trips seem to bring out the worst in us, though.  Not sure why, but it makes family vacations not very fun to do.  I guess we'll look back and remember the good things, and we'll forget the bad.