Day 2
We were headed to the airport, breakfast bags in hand, by 5 AM this morning! Group check in was painless, we easily found our departure gate, and the flight was smooth. By mid-morning we had landed in New York City, where it was so foggy we could not see beyond the sides of the runway. We were met by our step-on guide, Mike, and our driver, Oscar. We drove from Queens across the Queensboro Bridge on to Manhattan Island. By the time we got to Rockefeller Center, the visibility was just fine. We went up 70 floors to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck and had a good view of Central Park, the Hudson River, New Jersey, the Statue of Liberty, the East River, Brooklyn and Queens. With some free time afterwards, we explored the Channel Gardens and the area around the skating rink, now turned into an outdoor restaurant. By mid-afternoon we checked into our hotel, located right around the corner from Times Square. Our rooms were larger than we had expected, and we were able to explore both the hotel and Times Square. This evening we walked to Broadway Joe’s Steakhouse where we had a delicious dinner including some delicious New York style cheesecake. Some of us got tickets for a play tonight, giving us a wonderful first day in New York City.
Day 3
This morning we took a bus to CBS Studios and stood around the Plaza to watch filming of the CBS Morning Show. We were able to see the weather reports, a cooking segment and a gardening segment. We were standing behind the garden setting, so while people at home learned how to grow roses, they were seeing Southwest Tours people at the same time! When filming ended, the morning crew were willing to have pictures taken with us. We also got a brief tour inside the studio. There was a little free time before our driver and guide met us, so we were able to go into the Apple Store (open 24 hours/day) and the Plaza Hotel across the street, besides admiring the horses and carriages at the edge of Central Park. Once we began touring for the day, we explored two areas of the park, including Tavern on the Green restaurant and the beautiful formal gardens of the Central Park Conservatory. We drove past apartment houses on both sides of Central Park. Our guide would list the various rich and famous residents as we passed by. We went into Grand Central Terminal, admiring the beautiful building and seeing the one piece of tile that was left to show how dirty it had become before its restoration. After lunch there, we continued our sightseeing through Midtown Manhattan. At Lincoln Center, it was tempting to linger at the special craft market. The rest of our afternoon and evening were free. Some of us took a carriage ride in Central Park. Quite a few of us got tickets for the theater tonight.
Day 4
Today was our free day, and we found that cabs were the easiest and fastest way to get around the city. Some of us started the day by attending a service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue. Some went to Tavern on the Green for Sunday brunch, only to discover that they were seated in the Crystal Room where the buffet was being served. Stories of this adventure entertained the rest of us later! Some of us people-watched in the pedestrian-only area of Times Square. The sight of about 15 naked people riding bikes in the area was quite unexpected, and again, stories were told to the rest of the group. Some of us went to the Museum of Natural History, some took the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise around the island and some went shopping. Purchases included a big variety: a new outfit from J Crew, jewelry from Diamond Row, sweatshirts, shoes and purses. The big Puerto Rican parade was held on 5th Avenue today, and some of us watched that. The streets were lined with enthusiastic crowds waving flags as they saw New York City’s mayor, governors of both New York and New Jersey and Miss Puerto Rico start the parade. Some of us enjoyed visits with family or friends who live in the city. Some saw “the naked cowgirl,” others saw Susan Sarandon and still others ran into one of the stars of Jersey Boys. There were people who went to matinees this afternoon. It was a full day.
Day 5
We had a full day of sightseeing starting at 8:00, just after the rain quit. The rest of the day we were able to be dry and comfortable which made our morning visit to the Statue of Liberty just perfect. Ellis Island was a highlight, with an excellent movie, displays and information from our very knowledgeable guide, Mike. The rest of the day was spent in Lower Manhattan. We drove through the tiny tree-lined streets of Greenwich Village and past the boutiques in SoHo. We saw South Street Seaport, the Brooklyn Bridge and spent some time shopping in Chinatown. We rode the subway, walked on Wall Street, and visited two churches. Trinity Church where Alexander Hamilton is buried and St. Paul’s Chapel where we saw George Washington’s pew and the very moving displays dedicated to the volunteers during 9/11. Our last stop was at the Winter Garden where we could look into Ground Zero. As we drove away, the rain started. It poured for almost 30 minutes until we got to Little Italy where we had a dinner scheduled. Then the rain quit, we were able to get off the bus without getting wet, and the rest of the evening was lovely. We enjoyed a glass of wine with our Italian food which was delicious. The rest of the evening was spent with last minute looks at the hotel gift shop or again people-watching in Times Square.
Day 6
Now that we have seen how people live in Manhattan, as we crossed into Queens this morning, we could immediately see the difference. Buildings were not as tall, houses were detached and people owned cars. Then this afternoon when we were leaving the airport in Minneapolis, we noticed even more differences, with all the space between buildings, all the areas of grass and lakes and no one out walking. We have been able to see and learn so much on this tour. Our highlights have been the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial at St. Paul’s Chapel, Central Park, Wall Street and the statue of the bull, the action in Times Square with Armenian dancers one night and hundreds of people blowing bubbles another, and the great food at the two dinners. We have gone to as many as three theater performances, and we have felt so comfortable exploring the big city. We really would recommend this tour! Laurel Johnson, Tour Director
Day 3
This morning we took a bus to CBS Studios and stood around the Plaza to watch filming of the CBS Morning Show. We were able to see the weather reports, a cooking segment and a gardening segment. We were standing behind the garden setting, so while people at home learned how to grow roses, they were seeing Southwest Tours people at the same time! When filming ended, the morning crew were willing to have pictures taken with us. We also got a brief tour inside the studio. There was a little free time before our driver and guide met us, so we were able to go into the Apple Store (open 24 hours/day) and the Plaza Hotel across the street, besides admiring the horses and carriages at the edge of Central Park. Once we began touring for the day, we explored two areas of the park, including Tavern on the Green restaurant and the beautiful formal gardens of the Central Park Conservatory. We drove past apartment houses on both sides of Central Park. Our guide would list the various rich and famous residents as we passed by. We went into Grand Central Terminal, admiring the beautiful building and seeing the one piece of tile that was left to show how dirty it had become before its restoration. After lunch there, we continued our sightseeing through Midtown Manhattan. At Lincoln Center, it was tempting to linger at the special craft market. The rest of our afternoon and evening were free. Some of us took a carriage ride in Central Park. Quite a few of us got tickets for the theater tonight.
Day 4
Today was our free day, and we found that cabs were the easiest and fastest way to get around the city. Some of us started the day by attending a service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue. Some went to Tavern on the Green for Sunday brunch, only to discover that they were seated in the Crystal Room where the buffet was being served. Stories of this adventure entertained the rest of us later! Some of us people-watched in the pedestrian-only area of Times Square. The sight of about 15 naked people riding bikes in the area was quite unexpected, and again, stories were told to the rest of the group. Some of us went to the Museum of Natural History, some took the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise around the island and some went shopping. Purchases included a big variety: a new outfit from J Crew, jewelry from Diamond Row, sweatshirts, shoes and purses. The big Puerto Rican parade was held on 5th Avenue today, and some of us watched that. The streets were lined with enthusiastic crowds waving flags as they saw New York City’s mayor, governors of both New York and New Jersey and Miss Puerto Rico start the parade. Some of us enjoyed visits with family or friends who live in the city. Some saw “the naked cowgirl,” others saw Susan Sarandon and still others ran into one of the stars of Jersey Boys. There were people who went to matinees this afternoon. It was a full day.
Day 5
We had a full day of sightseeing starting at 8:00, just after the rain quit. The rest of the day we were able to be dry and comfortable which made our morning visit to the Statue of Liberty just perfect. Ellis Island was a highlight, with an excellent movie, displays and information from our very knowledgeable guide, Mike. The rest of the day was spent in Lower Manhattan. We drove through the tiny tree-lined streets of Greenwich Village and past the boutiques in SoHo. We saw South Street Seaport, the Brooklyn Bridge and spent some time shopping in Chinatown. We rode the subway, walked on Wall Street, and visited two churches. Trinity Church where Alexander Hamilton is buried and St. Paul’s Chapel where we saw George Washington’s pew and the very moving displays dedicated to the volunteers during 9/11. Our last stop was at the Winter Garden where we could look into Ground Zero. As we drove away, the rain started. It poured for almost 30 minutes until we got to Little Italy where we had a dinner scheduled. Then the rain quit, we were able to get off the bus without getting wet, and the rest of the evening was lovely. We enjoyed a glass of wine with our Italian food which was delicious. The rest of the evening was spent with last minute looks at the hotel gift shop or again people-watching in Times Square.
Day 6
Now that we have seen how people live in Manhattan, as we crossed into Queens this morning, we could immediately see the difference. Buildings were not as tall, houses were detached and people owned cars. Then this afternoon when we were leaving the airport in Minneapolis, we noticed even more differences, with all the space between buildings, all the areas of grass and lakes and no one out walking. We have been able to see and learn so much on this tour. Our highlights have been the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial at St. Paul’s Chapel, Central Park, Wall Street and the statue of the bull, the action in Times Square with Armenian dancers one night and hundreds of people blowing bubbles another, and the great food at the two dinners. We have gone to as many as three theater performances, and we have felt so comfortable exploring the big city. We really would recommend this tour! Laurel Johnson, Tour Director
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