Thursday:
Despite leaving an hour earlier than normal (6:00am) we still didn't get into Manhattan until around 4:00pm. But once we arrived and checked into our tucked-in-the-corner hotel (see below. Yes it was squeezed in between two other buildings) in the heart of the Financial District, things picked up.
Typically Thursday nights are low-key and this one was really no different. The only major thing we did was visit the World Trade Center site and take in all of that. And there was a lot to it. Pictures can't do it justice but since this is a blog pictures are going to have to try.
Just seeing everything for the first time was pretty emotional. The last time we had been in NYC they were still in the clean up portion of the 9/11 tragedy so this was our first trip since the memorials were built and the new WTC towers were completed. They were still working on two of the new towers in fact. Maybe next time we go everything will be all done and we can visit the museum on site as well.
After this, we returned to our hotel area to eat/drink (Murphy's Pub), and act like free men again. What we found was the perfect little village one block over from our hotel. Filled with bars, restaurants, Insomniac Cookies and....Justino's Pizza, which we became very familiar with. It was a great night to start the trip. Hotel area village...
Friday:
Part of the fun of visiting new cities is being a tourist. NYC has tons to see no matter what your tastes are. From the obvious of the Statue of Liberty to art museums and parks you can find something entertaining. Four of us (Matt, Jason, Fish, Jeff) chose to visit Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
And some (Paul, Shane, Keith) chose to tour the city on foot (Chinatown, Little Italy, etc).
Following these separate trips, it was time to head up to the Bronx to take in a Yankees-Blue Jays game at "New" Yankee Stadium. We had been to the original twice (1999 and 2004) but we'd yet made it to the new park. It was a LOT different but still had that same New York City buzz throughout a disappointingly boring game that the Jays won 2-1 in 10 innings.
Following the game we decided to venture up to Times Square because aside from the Vegas strip there's nothing like Times Square all lit up. It was predictably a mad house but a lot of fun with a ton of things to see. And we also saw some other cool things on the way back to the train.
Oh yeah, we ended the night back at Justino's for more pizza!
Saturday:
Saturday was pretty much a "whatever" day. Meaning we had no set schedule. We had nowhere to be. And we just roamed the city. It was glorious. As had been with Thursday and Friday, the weather was perfect - upper 70s with sunshine and a nice breeze. Not too shabby for August.
We started out in Central Park. After wandering aimlessly for about an hour (and only seeing a fraction of that humongous park) we decided to head back into the city for lunch and other sights. A few of us went to Chinatown and Little Italy (and smoked a freshly rolled cigar that was really good) then walked all the way back to the hotel. Others did the same but in a completely different part of the city.
From there it was a small bar called Shorty's in the hotel village where the bartender said "Fuck you, Cop" to Matt which was absolutely hilarious. And she called Keith a murderer. WHICH I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH!!!!
Oh yeah, we ended the night back at Justino's for more pizza...and some even threw a chocolate chip cookie on top and ate all at once. They said it was better than it sounded...but we'll have to take their word for it.
Sunday:
Long ride home. Pfffffffffffffffft!!!
It was a phenomenal trip...and I'm not just saying that because Joe wasn't able to make it this year. Promise!
Weather was perfect. Hotel was nice. Financial District was very cool. Saw plenty of landmarks. Yankee Stadium. Beers. Cigars. Laughs. As usual can't wait for next year. D.C.?
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