Day 4 - NYC
Having missed out on the 9/11 museum the day before this was top of the agenda for today. So far we had walked everywhere but decided to use the tube to get downtown, used an app called city planner to help with the subway this worked a treat and we were at the memorial inside 30 mins fromm leaving the room. I really rate this app and would recommend to anyone travelling in any major city.
The museum is really well done with so much to see but it also a very somber and humbling experience which made me feel both sad and proud, proud that we can stand together and rise above such evil atrocities.
After the 9/11 memorial and museum we needed something to bring the mood back up. Some of you will know that I'm a huge jokers fan so what better than a trip over to the impractical jokers homecoming exhibit.
The exhibit is located in the Staten Island museum on Staten Island, obviously. So from WTC we walked down Broadway to see battery park enroute to the Staten Island ferry.
The ferry is a free the ride and runs 24hrs a day, the iconic orange ferries have you across the water in no time offering stunning views of the statue of liberty and the Manhattan skyline on the way.
You can get the S40 bus which will take you the 2 miles round to the museum but we walked it in about 30 mins. The museum is located at snug harbor, there are quite a few things to see and do here but it was the jokers exhibit we we here for.
Being a fan I thoroughly enjoyed it here, recognising the props and gags from the shows was cool and could have spent longer there reading all the information on the walls but I couldn't help think it was a bit of trip out for what it was, anyone who isn't a fan of the show would most likely leave a little disappointed. I however was happy to be leaving with a selfie with Benjamin cat.
We got the S40 bus back to the ferry, buses run every 20 mins and we used our metro card to pay, not sure on the price as we just scanned the card and the driver grunted.
We were soon back on Manhattan island and walking back up Broadway. The plan was to make it to the big bus ticket office before 4 so we could get our open top bus tickets. We made it with minutes to spare.
Now this is a good tip guys, we had purchased or pass for 3 days but when you get the tour bus tickets these are valid for 24 hours so by leaving it until late on the last day we effectively getting an extra day out of it.
So tickets in hand we grabbed a Starbucks and jumped aboard the big bus to see lower Manhattan and get a ride back upto midtown, win win. Had me a dollar dog on the way Back to the hotel.
We couldn't decide what to do in the evening, Broadway show was out of the window due to time and we did look at the comedy clubs but by the time we were ready it 8pm and we hadnt eaten yet.
Starting at the hotel bar we had a beer whilst deciding where to eat. We're in the Korean district so found Osamils, a Korean gastro pub on 31st.
Oasmails
WELCOME
loved it here, there was a good friendly atmosphere, music not too so you could talk (jeeze I'm getting old) and they had some of the best fried chicken I've ever eaten.
Next it was on to 530 5th Avenue for the largest rooftop bar in Manhattan, a nice place with stunning views of the Empire State and the rest of the skyline. Take ID as they scan everyone's.
I'd read about speakeasies before I came away and was intrigued. So when I couldn't find a bar I'd been recommended on 17th, even though Google said I was right outside I figured I'd found one.
There we no indication what so ever, just a black door down some steps, sam was a little concerned as she thought "it looked dodgy" I reassured her and rang the bell. And sure enough we were greeted at the door and led to a table in this chilled out hidden away cocktail bar.
We only stayed for one drink and it was after midnight so decided it was time to call it a night. Still time to strike off another bucket list item though, as I haileda cab on 6th to get us back. According to the driver a lot of us Brits have this on our lists.
We finished with a single from Wendy's and hit the sack after another busy but enjoyable day in NYC.
All the days attractive were covered on our pass, we could have easily fit in more too. Would highly recommend these for anyone doing NYC.
Miles walked today was less as we used the subway, the ferry, the bus and a taxi bus still clocked in at around 12.
Photos later.......
Edit. Sorry for some of the dodgy grammer, battling against small keyboard and predictive text. Fixed most now