Day 4 – Monday Sept 18
Typically, I don’t travel with any sort of itinerary; I go where I feel like every day, strolling through neighborhoods, walking through parks, sometimes just picking a direction or a City-Walk card and setting off. I usually spend my days alone, doing what I want at my own pace - and meet up with friends for dinner in the evenings. However, on this trip, because Karen and Nikki were visiting for the first time, and I was the “tour guide” it was necessary to make sure to have an agenda for each day so that we could do and see as much as possible in the few days they were there.
A couple months before our trip, I had signed up for a Big Apple Greeter and had asked for “Greeter’s Choice” and we were so lucky to get Dan, who was a new greeter, and we were just his second group. He was nice, fun, interesting and informative, and had a wonderful route planned starting on my first-choice time and day, noon on Monday. We didn’t have to get up early, so all slept in, and Teri headed out with plans to all meet up at noon on the front steps of Jack’s B%26amp;B at noon. The rest of us headed over to delightful Alice’s Teacup on 73rd at Columbus that was recommended to me by a client. They truly make the best scones I’ve ever tried, and their atmosphere is fun (the waitresses have fairy wings), they have an extensive and interesting tea selection, and it’s just like a tea-party, each place set with vintage tea cups and saucers – I loved it!! Kind of a funny story here - not being familiar with scones (hmmm?) Nikki ordered a bagel, and the waitress told her that if she wanted a bagel, she should go to the bagel shop where they bought theirs (H%26amp;H Bagels, a few blocks away), but if she wanted the best, freshest scones, they made those there. So, we all ordered scones and selected some wonderful teas to try with them (I had already had my coffee….) they were truly melt-in-your mouth delicious. So good, in fact, that now Scone-o-rific Nikki wanted to return the next day.
We headed back to Jacks to meet up for our Greeter tour, Nikki decided that she didn’t feel well, so the rest of us and Dan headed out to Washington Heights and the surrounding area, including Inwood Hill park. This is somewhere I wouldn’t have gone on my own (probably will now) and I’m so glad we got up there. Dan’s original plan was to visit the Dyckman Farmhouse, but it was unfortunately closed on Mondays. However, we did walk by and see it. Very interesting area, it is where Columbia University has its stadium, and there are many large homes on very large lots, which is different for Manhattan. There was a wonderful church on a street named for one of the fireman from the area who was killed on 9-11(sorry to not remember the name); and in the church grounds was a touching tribute to the around 30 parish members, firemen, policemen, and people who worked at the WTC who were killed - a very impressive and moving remembrance.
After paying our respects, we headed up to the wonderful Inwood Hill Park, which was beautiful and serene, Dan filled us in on the historic events that took placd there, and we hiked for a while, ending up right under the Henry Hudson bridge, which is quite impressive. I highly recommend this area for another great park walk. We then walked around the neighborhood a bit, and then headed back on the subway (isn’t it great to do all this traveling for free!!) and back down to 125th Street and to another great area, Morningside Heights.
There, we visited Grant’s Tomb and Riverside Church – both very interesting; and the stained glass within the church was spectacular, and the architecture is just so detailed and extraordinary that it had us all saying “wow!”. The outside architecture of the church reminded me a great deal of the churches I saw when I visited England last year. Extraordinary.
Next, we headed over to the beautiful grounds of Columbia University, and took a stroll across campus and through the surrounding neighborhood - ah, to be back in college! Then we walked a few more blocks down to 110th to the Cathedral of St. John the Devine, and went through that church. I had seen the church previously, but this time, we walked through the beautiful building and were again awed by the size, architecture and beauty.
The tour went by so fast, couldn’t believe we got to do and see so much. After the tour, we had lunch at V%26amp;T Pizzeria across the street from the church - very good food, wonderful outdoor seating - and then said our thank-yous and good-bye’s to Dan. We headed back to the subway to go back to the apartment; and he headed to the cross-town bus to get home. What a great tour with a wonderful greeter!
I had bought tickets for us all to see Avenue Q - I had researched a great deal; time constraints being what they were, our schedule allowed only for a play on Sunday or Monday, when many theaters are “dark”. Luckily, I came across Avenue Q, which not only sounded funny and entertaining, but was reasonably priced, and had a Sunday night performance that was perfect for our schedule. We were quite early for the show, so decided to get a bite to eat and chose Junior’s Times Square. I had heard that they had the best cheesecake in the city – I don%26#39;t know if that%26#39;s true, but it was excellent - I had their Devils Food cheesecake and an egg crème (something you can%26#39;t get in San Diego) We all enjoyed Avenue Q, funny and clever, good dialogue, catchy tunes – a good time was had by all. A great choice on my part, if I do say so!
Since it was Nikki’s last night, we needed to get to some other sights that she had on her “list”, so we walked over to Grand Central Terminal so that she and Karen could see that beautiful building. As we were walking up Madison at one point, the streets were blocked off, and there were police at every corner, and some kind of motorcade went by with all kinds of escort vehicles and lights and sirens for someone speaking at the UN the next day, I suspect the President of Iran. That was annoying, but the Texas girls loved it. They were amazed with Grand Central, and after wandering around there for a while, I thought we should go to Rockefeller Plaza so they could see that.
Neither of them were familiar with Rockefeller Plaza (hmmm again), but once they saw where the tree is lit every year, and the skating rink, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral right across the street, and Radio City Music hall around the corner, they were glad they went. Unfortunately TOTR was closed, but we did watch them install the sky mirror so that was quite interesting; unfortunately, we didn’t get to see it when it was completely installed
We then caught the subway back to Jack’s. Teri had bought some wine, so Karen and Nikki came up to our room, and we all sat around and chatted and enjoyed the time together until about 2AM or so – then drifted off to our respective rooms and beds. End of day 4
Trip report - September 15-23 - Day 4 - BAG %26amp; Q
What a fabulous day with Dan! And an area one would not ordinarily get to tour around - just wonderful. So glad you posted your report about it - perhaps you%26#39;ll encourage others to wander that area.
Trip report - September 15-23 - Day 4 - BAG %26amp; Q
Sounds great, glad the greeter worked out so well for you, and that you enjoyed Avenue Q - it is one of my favorites, too.
Really enjoyed reading about your day with the Greeter, he really did you proud. I%26#39;m loving reading about your trip, keep them coming.
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