Here's the second and final installment of my New York City trip summary. Part 1 dealt with my overall impressions of the city. This one focuses on the sightseeing aspects of the visit.
Rockefeller Center
Got there early enough to watch some of the Today show being broadcast live, there was even a Broadway show performance for School Of Rock outside the studio. That made the whole thing worthwhile, since there isn't that much else to see or do. Fortunately, the skating rink on the plaza had just been opened, so I got to see that as well, I'm sure it would be better to be there when the Christmas tree is also there and lit. Also walked by Radio City Music Hall, which is just a block away. Overall grade: A-
Times Square
With all of the huge lighted signs, restaurants, theaters, and tall buildings, it had a very Las Vegas feel to it. Picture-taking tourists were everywhere, belying its seedy past. I didn't realize the famous Times Square New Year's Eve ball was in view all year. We mostly saw the area during the daytime, but went back the next evening, when the large crowds and glowing signs gave it even more of a Vegas-vibe. Overall grade: B+
Ed Sullivan Theater / Hello Deli
Just up Broadway from Times Square, I had to go see where David Letterman, and now Stephen Colbert, taped The Late Show. There was no taping that day, ergo no line, but we did go around the corner to buy a sweatshirt at the Hello Deli, and had a nice visit with Rupert Jee, the man Letterman made famous. Overall grade: A
Statue of Liberty
This was a bit of a disappointment, partly because I only viewed the statue from the Manhattan shore. It was great to see it, but the bottom line is, it’s a statue. Did not want to spend the time and money to ferry to the island to get a closer look, and if I did, I’d be as interested to see all of Ellis Island. Overall grade: C-
Wall Street / NYSE
There really isn’t that much to see in the financial district. The New York Stock Exchange is walled off by security, you can’t even go through on a tour these days, so you’re stuck with outside pictures. Touring it, like I did the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade many years ago, would’ve made all the difference. It was cool to be there, but I didn’t get the feeling it was the financial capital of the world. Overall grade: B
Columbia University
Wanted to check out Columbia, since I know some kids who attended school there. Enjoyed the openness compared to the skyscrapers of mid-and-lower Manhattan. In the end, it looks like a lot of urban college campuses, nothing more, nothing less. Overall grade: C
Macy’s
The largest department store in the world, and it is crazy big. Eight floors of retail items, representing all of the big, expensive brand names. My best story here came from the first floor, where the cosmetics folks present a virtual gauntlet for one to walk through – if you can do it without someone spraying perfume or cologne on you, congratulations. Overall grade: C+
9/11 Memorial Site and Museum
This was definitely the highlight of the trip. The outdoor waterfall memorials, in the footprints of the original World Trade Center buildings, were beautifully done. They included the names of all those who died in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, including those at the Pentagon and in the aircrafts. The museum itself was awesome, with so many facts and artifacts from that day. It’s a sobering reminder of what happened, and of the loss of so many people in the prime of their lives. I was inside the museum for four hours, and could have stayed much longer. A must see for anyone in New York City. Overall grade: A+
Central Park
An vehicle-free oasis of greenery in a place with virtually none of that. Lots of people exercising, sharing space with many horse-drawn carriages. Also, got to see and have a beverage at the famous Tavern On The Green restaurant. But at the end of the day, it’s just a park (a really, really big park), and after a while, trees and squirrels can get boring. Overall grade: B-
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