What did we do in New York

Even thought there is some much to see and do in New York our tour was such a world wind – I have to say RB was an amazing sport putting up with my jam packed plan – it probably is still easier to summarize what we did do verses what we didn’t! We averaged about 3 – 5 different activities and generally were out and about town from early morning to evening. We didn’t go out and partake in much of the nightlife beyond the hotel bar, going to shows, or dining out. We did try to see all of the big items of course. Here is a brief list of those items and the day we went there.

Thursday Day 1

This was our first day and we spent most of it traveling. But we did get into town and checked in rather early so we went out exploring.

Grand Centeral Station – We ended up seeing this multiple times as it was a subway hub

New York Public Library – this building was amazing and they have a ton of free exhibits

Times Square – Amazing, crazy, mostly good for pictures and basic tourist places like the Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, and all the chains across from you local mall. I think this is a must see at night when lit up but there is not much to do here unless you want to shop at the same stores or eat at the same restaurants as you do at home.

Friday Day 2

Our first day out we slept in a little bit and because of it missed our chance that day to visit the Statue of Liberty (we go there at 10:30 or so and all the tickets to go into the statue were sold out by 8:30 that day!). We also missed out on seeing the gold vaults in the Federal Reserve because I did not check out how to schedule a tour correctly. So we saw all the other sites in the area including many we did not plan to see and moved on to a couple of sites planned for other days.

World Trade Center site (Ground Zero) – This was a very interesting thing to see. It was hard to get a good view because of the security fence. The displays and memorials were very interesting though kind of sad.

Wall Street – Wall street is really small. It feels more like an alley than the financial center of the US if not the world. It is in one of the oldest parts of town and that probably has to do with the crazy size of things.

Federal Hall – Bummer, this was actually closed for remodeling. I did look through the windows.

Federal Reserve – Again we didn’t get into what we wanted but it had a cool free museum. FYI you have to arrange a tour 5 (business) days in advance.

Brooklyn Bridge – You have to do this. And there are great delis in Brooklyn.

United Nations – Much smaller than it looks on TV.

City Call / Federal Buildings – Cool buildings and nice parks not much to do though.

Trinity Church – Really cool old church.

Saturday Day 3

Just made the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and it started raining, and we had no umbrellas. So we toured Chinatown and Little Italy in the rain. We also tried to go to the Empire State building, but there was no visibility so we waited.

Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island – Had to do it but probably won’t go again unless I am taking kids or something.

China Town – Never ends. Growing growing and growing

Little Italy – Great Italian Restaurants… Go figure.

Flat Iron Building – It is cooler to see in person than in the 2 or 3 million photos, TV shoots, and movie clips.

Dangerfield's – Totally did this on a whim, the great late Rodney Dangerfield’s comedy club. The oldest continuously running comedy club in the US. A bit raunchy but a lot of fun anyway.

Sunday Day 4

I think this was the best day of the trip and we did the least. I think I need to make trips longer so I can do the same amount of stuff at a slower pace. But I think everyone knows that is probably not going to happen.

Empire State Building – Very cool. Must do. The view of New York is awesome.

FAO Swartz – Eh, saw the big piano from Big.

Central Park – Who new there was a castle in the middle of New York.. Not me that is for sure. One surprise after another that’s central park. How ‘bout dancing roller skaters, I kid you not!

Monday Day 5

We were going to go to the Ukrainian museum today but found out it wouldn’t be open until Wednesday so maybe next trip. The area around the college looks and feels like an area around the college, it was pretty dead in the morning but I’m sure the place rocks after dark.

McSorley's Bar oldest in NY – Smelled quite a bit but very interesting place. We were there in the afternoon but the real parting is at night from what I hear.

Radio city Music Hall -- $17 per person for the tour! That was more than the empire state building, the Guggenheim, the Met, the statue of liberty or any other site. So we looked in the windows, it’s not $17 cool.

Daily Show With Jon Stewart – This was one of the best things we got to do. You have to get in line early but it is worth the wait. We had more fun here than at Conan. If you are in town you have to try and get tickets. Actually you have to try and get tickets a month or so ahead of time from the website.

Today Show – No more Katie, but we did see Matt and the weather guy (still no Willard Scott). The tape shows the top half of our sign… Bummer if you want to be on camera you need to be there at like 5 in the morning. We just were not that ambitious.

Tuesday Day 6

At this point we were trying to take it easy. There was still a bit of running around but not as much.

St. Patrick's Cathedral – Very cool, pretty famous

Conan O'Brian – The nice thing about Conan is they give you a place holder for you spot in line starting a couple hours before the show so you can leave and do other things instead of waiting in line. Little known fact – Conan has a Weak handshake.

Metropolitan Museum Art – Wow very big. Unlike in Chicago and similar to Minneapolis the Museums in New York specialize mostly in classic or modern art. The Met is of the classical tradition. It did have a cool exhibit on pop culture but beyond that it was mostly exhibits from Egypt, early American Colonial period, Spain, Europe, and other more classic art. They had a few impressionist and a couple Picasso but not much.

Rockefeller Center – Very cool. Not much to say it’s a neat building. If you see the today show, Conan O’Brian, or do the NBC tour you also get to see this very interesting plaza.

Wednesday Day 7

Oh no the last day of the trip. It was really to short. Normally I am not that much into modern art but the Guggenheim is really amazing. Even if you just go for the building it self you have to go. The floor plan is one continuously upward loop from the first floor to the top. No stairs a couple of side galleries but the main gallery is the main room along the spiraling ramp.

St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral – Closed but still worth walking a few blocks to see it because the architecture was so unique.

The Producers – This was a lot of fun, but in all honesty the shows back in Minneapolis are just as good and theaters are just as nice (if not nice as we had to wait outside in the rain before the show). However there is a larger selection and there is a better chance you can see a bigger name at work.

Guggenheim – The building itself is worth the trip. The main gallery is on large room about ten stories tall. There is a single ramp (no stairs) that spirals from the first floor to the top. Along this ramp is the main exhibit. Every other floor or so there is also a side gallery normally dedicated to either an artist or a style. There is a lot of variety and even though I am not an avid fan of modern are this was a very interesting place to go.

So that is the executive summary of our whirlwind trip to the Big Apple. I am really glad I went and can’t wait to go back at some time. Maybe next time I will stay in a calmer area (we stayed in Times Square) and stay longer. Since I saw all this stuff this time I probably wouldn’t repeat much; another show, central park, and the museums but not the other sites.