Midtown New York, Part II

Rockefeller Plaza

Our next stop was Rockefeller Center. Of all the places we were, this was my favorite with its park-like setting and beautiful flowers. The ice skating rink was being used as a restaurant on this warm, muggy day in September.

Rockefeller Plaza

From here we headed north up 5th Ave. passing Sacs, Cartier’s, Trump Tower, and a host of other famous and not so famous shops and hotels. Along the way we took a quick look inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral. What a beautiful place. It was amazing to see so many tourists milling around taking photos while mass was in progress. It would be pretty distracting to me as a worshiper, but I guess they are used to it since St. Patrick’s is open all day every day for tourists. There were guards posted to confine the tourists to the periphery of the sanctuary.

Cartier's

Trump Tower

Sacs 5th Ave.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

At the southeastern corner of Central Park stands the regal Plaza Hotel. The outside is being renovated. I tried to take pictures with as little scaffolding as possible. It was flat out gorgeous inside.

Central Park Mall area

We just skirted the edge of Central Park staying close to 5th Ave as we made our way up to E 81st St where we were meeting Gene’s nephew for lunch. We really didn’t see much of this huge expanse of green in the middle of Manhattan. We were just too tired by that time to spend much time wandering around. We met Scott and Para for a quick late lunch and then jumped on the subway for the short ride to Grand Central Station and our north bound train to Poughkeepsie.

Central Park

Food can be found anywhere in Central Park

It was a very full day of sightseeing. Although we saw lots of stuff there is so much more to see of this great city.

Residences across from Central Park

I started out this adventure to the Big Apple by being overwhelmed at rush hour in Grand Central Station. I leave the city with the same impression. I am overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions of one of the largest cities in the world. It is truly an awesome and awe inspiring place worthy of many more visits.

Top of the Rock (GE Building)