We set our alarms for 3:30 am to catch our early morning flight to NYC. After a quick shower and a final bag check, we were out the door by 4:45 am.
Initially, we thought the flight was on time, but after a brief delay, our 7:00 am flight finally took off at 7:30 am. The pilots made up for lost time, and we actually touched down in Newark ahead of schedule. I must say, Newark impressed me—it was modern, bright, clean, and surprisingly easy to navigate. Finding the Uber pickup point was incredibly easy and within minutes, we were on a 40-minute drive toward the NYC skyline.
Our hotel was conveniently located in the heart of Manhattan, just a block away from the Hudson River and all the piers. We were fortunate enough to check in early, recharge our phones, and head back out to explore the city.
Our first order of business was lunch…we were starving. Katie had recommended Russ & Daughters, which was right off 10th Avenue on 34th Street. It lived up to its reputation. I had a delicious classic bagel with Lox and cream cheese. Next, we headed to The High Line, another recommendation by Katie and Matt.
In anticipation of this trip, we watched a Road Scholar lecture in which a New York architect explained the history, evolution, and architecture of the High Line. It was fascinating, and I’m glad we took the time to learn about it. The High Line was built on a historic, elevated rail line and was designed to be more than just a park. It offers a unique perspective of New York City, allowing people to walk through gardens, view art, experience performances, enjoy food and beverages, or connect with friends and neighbors. The weather was gorgeous, making the experience even more enjoyable. The only downside was that it was Saturday, and everyone was out walking, so we shared the experience with many others.
Toward the end of the HighLine, was Little Island, another recommended spot by Katie and Matt. It’s a unique public park and performance space that’s great for walking around and exploring. It was full of people on this glorious spring day. Jim especially enjoyed it!
We had a dinner reservation at a historic restaurant at the tip of Manahattan. We had some time, so we decided to explore a few other historical sites on our way south. Along the way we continued to see unique sites!
We walked by the Stonewall National Monument, it was literally a very small park in the middle of a very busy intersection in Greenwich Village. It is the first U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights and history. Next, we made our way to the 9/11 Memorial, a profoundly moving and awe-inspiring experience.
The memorial features two pools of cascading waterfalls, situated where the World Trade Center towers once stood. The names of the individuals who lost their lives in the tragic events of September 11, 2001, are etched into the stones that encircle the waterfalls, serving as a poignant reminder of their sacrifice.
As we wandered near Trinity Church, we felt a bit lost. Fortunately, a man walking his dog, offered directions. He was a lifetime resident of the area. He first led us to the Wall Street Bull that was surrounded by tons of people!
Then pointed us in the right direction of Fraunces Tavern which is where we had dinner reservations. It is a historic bar recommended by Jim’s friend Joel it’s New York’s oldest and most storied establishment, once a gathering place for the Founding Fathers. George Washington delivered his final speech to his troops there!
After walking all day, we felt we’d earned a good meal and a drink. I was proud of how well we navigated the streets of NYC. The building itself radiated history, and the atmosphere was outstanding—but unfortunately, the food didn’t quite live up to it.
After dinner we took the subway back to our hotel. We were exhausted! All in all our first day in New York was great. We were able to do all the things we planned for the day, plus some!