I love to stop in and check out small towns but, over spring break we went another root, we hit the "big apple" and ventured through the streets of Manhattan for a couple days. I planned all the sites out on paper and in my head but we were at the mercy of train schedules and needed to hop on the right subway to get where we were going. We figured all of the trains and stops out but not without a little trial and error.
Once we arrived at our planned location, we hemmed and hawed out front of One World Trade because the boys wanted to go to the top but you have to be 18 or accompanied by an adult. I had no desire to spend the $30 for the ride to the top of a building (especially after already looking out from the Empire State Building a few years back). We wasted sufficient time deciding, returned the tickets and moved on to the reflecting pools. We all looked upon the pools in silence and respect for a moment and the kids were ready to move on. We grabbed not-so-great street food from a vendor and walked to the Staten Island Ferry.
We joined the herd getting on the ferry, used the facilities on board and took our obligatory photos of Lady Liberty before we herded off. The view was good and the short trip was free but nothing I need to do again. We then headed for some real lunch at Bills Burgers & Bar and on the way snapped some shots with "Fearless Girl". The highlight of the boys day was the chicken wings (LOL) at Bills. The service, prices and food were all pretty good so they get a thumbs up!
The kids did not want to do the 9/11 Memorial and Museum but I bought us all tickets online and we headed there next. I thought it was important to see how the victims of the tragedy were being honored, even if it might be difficult. It was a bit surreal to be standing in the place that was the World Trade Center. The kids didn't give the museum much of a chance, but I wandered through in tears and reverence. The Historical Exhibition, located where the North Tower once stood, is the exhibit no to be missed but also the exhibit to definitely bring tissues to. The Historical Exhibit goes into detail with audio, video, photos and items from 9/11 that tell a detailed story of before, during and after the attacks. The memorial and museum were very nicely done, but if you lived through that day the events are most likely etched on your heart and mind forever as they are on mine and you may not need or want to be up close to them this way.
We lightened things up by traveling to Grand Central Station and just enjoying the view. After desperately searching for a charging station for our dead phones we gave up and moved on. Our next mistake was walking to Black Taps on 55th Street-long walk to a long line and no time for waiting.
We came back on Thursday of that week and conquered colossal crowds at The Museum of National History and finished of our NYC time by getting to Black Tap in time to wait in the line enjoy the Instagram sensation shakes covered in sugary goodness. We then made it on to the correct train and headed to home base. We made a lot of mistakes along the way. One brought us to a side entrance for the Museum of Natural History that passed streets filled with pricey brownstones and through gardens. All of our walking made us feel like true New Yorkers and gave us a real feeling for the city. The weather was perfect and we will be back!!