We also wanted to see the Empire State Building (ESB). We knew there could be long queues and got there just prior to 11am. Being an extremely brisk day (50 degrees F, 10 degrees C) we weren't quite prepared for how cold it was (definitely under-dressed), there might have been less spectators than normal. The queue moved fairly quickly and by 11.20am we'd reached the ticket office after going through security similar to the airport. There were people from all over - France, Spain, Italy, Scandinavian countries and of course the US. Didn't hear any other Aussies or Kiwis in the nearby crowds.
We chose to go up to the 86th floor observatory (main lookout) and spent an extremely chilly 25 mins on the exterior - reckon it was at least 10 degrees F cooler up there. The visibility was only 15 miles according to a sign there. The best visibility is 80 miles (meaning you can view other states!). Naturally if you queue to come up, you must queue to come down! Leaving the ESB we walked down 5th Avenue planning to window shop but Mark got lucky with some mens wear at Zara and we saw the designer hall at Saks Fifth Avenue but left there without trying anything on!
Getting onto 2pm we were starving and freezing, so lunch was in order. We found an out of the way cafe after watching some of the parade wind its way through the city towards Central Park.
Then we headed over there, had a bit of a walk through Central Park and took a famous Horse & Carriage ride with an Italian American horseman who loved AC/DC and was extremely excited about their upcoming NY concert next week. He serenaded us with 'A Whole lot of Rosie' which is his favourite.
From there we decided it was time to head back to the apartment and took the subway for the first time. All went well and we even managed to get an express to our stop (14th & Union Square)!
Off to listen to some jazz tonight at the Blue Note (http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/index.shtml) to see Ray Gelato and the City Rhythm Orchestra.
2 comments:
Your NY weather sonds a bit like our weather this week. It's been wet and very windy and only 15-17C. This is supposed to be spring here. Caulfield Cup on Saturday and the girls will be probably freezing in their summer fineries, just like you did on Columbus Day.
What did Mark get himself? Is it the same shop as in UK?
3 jumpers and a pair of pants - same shop as UK/europe
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