USA Reloaded - Vegas, Hiking, NYC - QF/SQ (F & Suite)

[NoName]

NYC - Day 1 Continued......



Once 11am rolled around I made my way over for the main reason I had come here. No, I wasn’t going to try to down a couple dozen hotdogs, I was here to ride the Cyclone. Most are probably aware but the Cyclone is a famous wooden roller coast about 90-odd years old. Its been on National Register of Historic Places since the early 90s which upon further research may not mean a whole lot given there appears to be nearly 100,000 places on the register!



Rocked up to the ticket booth and paid the exorbitant US$10 for a ticket then made my way in. Total joke of a price but I’m there once so why not. Virtually no one there at this stage so was straight on to a half full coaster and away we went. The ride doesn’t look like much but it builds up quite a speed and combined with the up and down of the track it was quite thrilling. A very enjoyable ride for sure!

Lunchtime and I jumped back on the train 3 or 4 stops and then made the dozen or so block walk up Gravesend Neck Road to Brennan & Carr - cnr Nostrand Ave & Avenue U, Brooklyn.



I had seen this restaurant on Man Vs Food a few years ago and had meant to visit last time but circumstances didn’t permit it. This time I wasn’t going to miss out on their roast beef roll. I went in, grabbed a table and ordered immediately since I knew exactly what I wanted.



Not coffee but a cup of beef broth!


Croutons added – delicious!


The main event – roast beef roll soaked in the broth. Knife and fork provided because realistically this is the only way it can be eaten. Fantastic! Definitely worth the visit if you’re anywhere in the area.

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 1 Continued........



Jumped in an Uber to the Queens Museum at Corona Park. Ride was much further than I had thought but didn’t really have any other efficient option as the train would have required quite a bit of backtracking. In any event, a bit over half an hour later and I was there.

Walked in to find it under renovation although thankfully the main attraction was still open. Paid the US$10 suggested donation and made a beeline for the Panorama of The City of New York. THIS. IS. INCREDIBLE!

Within the museum there is a large, open room with a scale model of the entire NYC. All 5 boroughs in miniature. Thousands upon thousands of buildings all included on the model. Parks, streets, bridges, stadiums, rivers. A tiny plane “flying” with aid of fishing line coming in to land at La Guardia. Every little detail that you could possibly think of has been taken care of. Amazing! Spent about half an hour looking around the panorama and could easily have spent more. This is a must see.

Empire State Building:


Night time:


Staten Island, Brooklyn & Queens:

Coming in to land at LGA:

Had a look at a few of the other open exhibits in the museum but they were a little uninspiring. Maybe I’m just not really an art person.










Made my way out through Corona Park, past the tennis centre and up to the train back to Manhattan.

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 1 Continued.......



Off the subway at Bryant Park and walked up 5th Avenue towards my hotel.....











The Plaza Hotel:

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 1 Continued.......







Arrived back at the hotel and grabbed a room key and bags before being escorted up by one of the porters. He then stayed in the room and discussed what my plans were in NYC, offered a few suggestions etc and generally made me feel welcome and comfortable. This is probably standard service at the Ritz Carlton but I really thought it was fantastic. The room itself was great – nice, modern, big by NYC standards, with a nice view out across the intersection to central park.







The View:



It was now early evening and I was pretty much exhausted having flown on the red eye and then spent the entire day out and about. I headed a couple of blocks away to Milk Bar to grab a small bite to eat before crashing. I had previously visited here a couple of times and had the amazing pork buns. The buns were made in a restaurant out the back which was part of the Momofuku group. I say WERE because the restaurant is now gone and the Milk Bar chain has been sold to a different group. So no buns this time. I settled for the cereal milk ice cream which is always a hit.








Back to the room where it was time for an early night. Rest was important as the planned activity for the next day would be the highlight of my NYC trip.

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

Arrived back at the hotel and grabbed a room key and bags before being escorted up by one of the porters. He then stayed in the room and discussed what my plans were in NYC, offered a few suggestions etc and generally made me feel welcome and comfortable. This is probably standard service at the Ritz Carlton but I really thought it was fantastic. The room itself was great – nice, modern, big by NYC standards, with a nice view out across the intersection to central park.

What’s a normal tip for a porter at the Ritz Carlton for this level of service?

 

[NoName]

What’s a normal tip for a porter at the Ritz Carlton for this level of service?

This is something I should have researched prior because I had no idea and if you ask them they won’t tell you. They will say it’s not necessary. I just grabbed a bunch of small bills from my wallet and gave them to him. Might have been $10 worth tops. Not sure if that is reasonable given the escort and the extra mile he went to once we got to the room but was more than I would give elsewhere. They are probably used to a wide range of tips.

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 2 – Broadway!



Woke up pretty early but lingered in bed for a while. I had wanted to get up and going about 6:30am but didn’t end up walking out the door until maybe 7:30am. Like the previous day the weather was hot. Very hot. This probably wasn’t ideal when the plan was to walk the entire length of the Manhattan section of Broadway!

The idea to do this had somehow popped into my head randomly maybe 18 months ago. I had initially thought it was a little crazy to take up an entire day in NYC doing something like this when I was only here for a few days but after reading more about it there was no doubt that I was going to do it. Being able to see such a wide range of different neighbourhoods in a single day seemed kind of cool. It was.

I made my way with purpose to the subway station at Columbus Circle and hopped on the 1 train uptown. This was going to be a long ride! The train popped up above ground at 122nd St and I wasn’t even half way. It went back underground again at 135th St and there was still a long way to go. Back above ground around 200th St, across the Harlem River, 2 more stops and I was off at 231st St in Marble Hill.


Why did I start at 231st St?

Many people assume that Manhattan finishes at the Harlem River and looking at a map logically it does. However, this is not the case. The Harlem River we see today is not where it was originally located. What we see is actually a man-made canal with the original path of the river being filled in in 1914. Hence, the northern-most neighbourhood of Manhattan is Marble Hill which geographically appears to be in The Bronx.

Ok, so the Marble-Hill train station right next to the Broadway Bridge is at 225th St. Why did I go to 231st St? Well, the northernmost part of Manhattan would be the northernmost part of the northernmost neighbourhood NOT the southernmost point of the neighbourhood at 225th St. My research found that Marble Hill was originally connected to The Bronx by a bridge located on Broadway at around 229th-231st Streets. Therefore, as pedantic as it might sound, beginning at 225th St was not good enough. To walk the entire length of the Manhattan section of Broadway I would be going from 231st Stto Bowling Green. I would make a few short detours for places of interest but primarily I would not leave Broadway. Around 14 miles top to bottom. Should be easy given some of the previous hiking I had done right?


At 8:27am I was off!





Across the Harlem River we go:


Broadway Bridge:


Broadway & 9th Ave:








Church of Good Shepherd - Cnr Isham St & Broadway:

 

[VPS]

I admire your dedication

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 2 – Broadway! Continued.....




I reached Dyckman St (around 200th) and detoured up into Fort Tryon Park.



I walked around up on the hill for a while taking a look around. It’s a lovely park highlighted by The Cloisters which is a museum housing The Met’s collection of medieval art. Wasn’t open at this early hour on a Sunday so couldn’t visit.





The Cloisters:


Medieval suits of armor in the park:


Across the Hudson River:



I didn’t fancy the idea of having to backtrack all the way to where I left Broadway at Dyckman St so I only explored the northern half of the park. Perhaps I’ll go back for the rest next time. In any event, I made my way back down the hill to where I began and back out onto Broadway.

 

[NoName]

I admire your dedication

Thanks! But really I get more out of it than I put in. I’ve said before that I consider my trip reports a repository for travel memories. It’s great to have the narrative composed to go with the photos. Adds to the story when I read back through myself.

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 2 – Broadway! Continued.....






The George Washington Bridge @179th St:








I reached 126th St by 10:30am and hooked a left to take the 0.9 mile detour for breakfast.


Nelson Mandela Garden on 126th St:


I arrived at Sylvia’s about 15 min before the 11am opening. Sylvia’s is a well-known soul food restaurant in Harlem on Malcolm X Blvd between 126th & 127th and as a stroke of luck, being there on Sunday meant enjoying their Gospel Brunch. The difference between this and the breakfast/brunch on other days is that they have a singer entertaining with gospel music. A nice touch and its easy to see why its so popular with people lining up for it in advance. There was maybe 20 people infront of me so I was fine to get in for the first service but had I turned up right on opening it may have been a different story.

There was no question what I was going to order: fried chicken (leg piece – they ask your preference) with waffles and a glass of Grandma Julia’s Fruit Punch. Food and drink were great as expected. Cost was US$25.95 plus tax and after tip it was around US$35 which is pretty expensive for breakfast IMO.

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 2 – Broadway! Continued.....



Once done I made my way back to 126th & Broadway to continue the walk. The detour had added 2 miles but I was still feeling good. Continued on before taking a right after only 4 blocks to see the tomb of Ulysses S Grant which is two blocks away on Riverside Drive. This was nicely done. Worth a visit for sure.








I continued on past Columbia University. There was some kind of open day going on:


Tom’s Restaurant (112th St) made famous as being the exterior shot of Monk’s Café in Seinfeld:


By now the neighbourhood was beginning to look more like the NYC most people know.



Nearly into double digits:

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 2 – Broadway! Continued.....






Got to 72nd St and detoured left two blocks to see the John Lennon memorial – Strawberry Fields. Took the opportunity to sit down and rest the legs for about 15 min while watching the crowd and listening to a busker belting out Beatles songs.



The Dakota Apartments where he was killed:



Soon I was back to where I started at Columbus Circle at 59th St.





Powered on towards the madhouse of Times Square:





By now my shins were getting noticeably sore. The concrete takes it out of you and is much more physically demanding that one might think. Still, having come this far I was going to keep going!

Empire State Building:


Greely Square Park – where Broadway intersects with 6th Avenue at 33rd St:

 

[tgh]

Super report .. just love nyc….

 

[NoName]

Super report .. just love nyc….

Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying it. Nearly finished. A couple more days of NYC and SQ Suites home to go.

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 2 – Broadway! Continued.....






Flatiron Building at 23rd St:





Walked a couple of hundred metres to the left down 20th St to see the birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt:


Arrived at Union Square Park at 17th St where for a few blocks there is no Broadway. I walked through diagonally from Northwest to Southeast and emerged at 14th St where Broadway begins again.



Grace Church:


After 3rd St the numbers ended. A little annoying as I would have liked to have taken a photo of 1st St.That said, it marked the final stretch towards Bowling Green.

Through China Town:


Towards the financial district.


City Hall Park – maybe 1km to go.

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 2 – Broadway! Continued......




By now the struggle was real. Feet had blisters, shins were aching, thighs were chafing. Not fun. But I was nearly there.

St Paul’s Chapel:


1 World Trade Center:



At 3:51pm I staggered past the Charging Bull statue and into Bowling Green where I immediately crashed onto a bench. I was in pain, but was satisfied with having done something that I don’t think many do – I had walked the entire length of the Manhattan section of Broadway!

Bowling Green - I Made It!:


1 Broadway – the end of the line!


So how far was the walk? Google maps puts the total distance down Broadway at 14.0 miles or 22.5km. Detours added another 4.3 miles. Total distance 18.3 miles or 29.5km. A great experience but wow, I will sleep well tonight!



Half an hour of slouching on the bench and I was ready to move. Well not really but what was I going to do, sit there all night? Hopped up and shuffled four blocks to Fraunces Tavern. Located on the corner of Broad & Pearl, this is a museum and restaurant notable for being an historical site during the American Revolution – headquarters of George Washington, a venue for peace negotiations with the British as well as being the place where Washington farewelled his officers.



I went up the stairs into the museum on the upper floors and was glad I did. It contains a number of pieces of historic memorabilia, art, early flags etc etc. Very interesting.





Early map of Manhattan:




I had intended to have a couple of beers in the tavern but I was sore and feeling a little sorry for myself so rather than have to socialise with people I gave it a miss, hopped back on the train and to the comfort of the hotel room. Found a chemist on the way back for some items to help my leg ailments. There was plenty more walking to be done on this trip so I needed to try something.

 

[Milboo]

If you want a real piece of Old New York then head to McSorleys Ale House at No 7 E15th Street.

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 2 Continued......





Relaxed for a couple of hours before venturing out to find some dinner. Being only 1 short block away Quality Meats (58th St just off 6th Ave) got the nod.



Its basically a steak restaurant and definitely lived up to its name. I wasn’t able to get a table so had to settle for eating at the bar and a slightly abbreviated menu but this was no problem, the food was excellent.

Steak Tartare entre:



Hanger Steak w/Brandied Cherries & a Side of Mushrooms – delicious!:


Washed it all down with a couple of IPAs. Excellent meal. Really enjoyed it. Total damage was about US$85 plus tip. Rounded it up to US$100.


BroName had recommended me a place to play pinball that he had visited previously so for the final activity of the night I decided to go check it out. It was quite a way downtown, a few blocks from Maddison Square Park and I would need to walk a few blocks after getting off the train. Not ideal in my current state. The guys on the hotel door saw me struggling and asked if I wanted to take the hotel car which is complimentary. I thought about it but in the end said not to worry, I would be fine.

Rode the train down and waddled over to Modern Pinball on 3rd Ave between 26th & 27th St.



They operate on a time-based system. I paid for 2hrs worth which was US$17. Inside were maybe 20-odd machines. Mainly the modern era but a few older ones. Maybe 10 customers inside when I arrived at about 10pm. Played for a while and enjoyed it. Would return for me next time I visit.



Managed to hit a couple of high scores. The screen name may be spotted on a few Adams Family machines around Brisbane too:




And then I was done. Time to call it a night. Shuffled back to the subway station and rode back uptown. In the front door, quick shower and that was it. In bed, asleep, excited for the first day of the US Open the next day.

 

[NoName]

NYC - Day 3



Monday 27 August was day 1 of the 2018 US Open and I was excited to be heading out to watch. I woke up feeling surprisingly much better than I had the night before. Still sore but not too bad. Of more concern was the scorching hot weather predicted. Left the hotel and grabbed some breakfast at a café near Times Square before jumping on the 7 train out to Mets-Willets Pt where I joined the masses entering the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre.



Made it just in time for the first games kicking off at 11am and settled in to one of the outside courts. Not the best move. They are all exposed with no shading and on a day like today it didn’t take long at all to become quite uncomfortable.



Decided it was a better idea to watch the centre court action where at least I would be more comfortable. So after the first set I had a walk around the grounds before making my way into Arthur Ashe and up to the nosebleeds.





Newly Refurbished Louis Armstrong Stadium:


Arthur Ashe Stadium:


Down to one of the bars an hour of so later and had a couple of the signature US Open coughtails – The Honey Deuce. Grey goose vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur, honeydew melon balls. Pretty simple but also pretty tasty. Had two of them in about 20 minutes and added the souvenir plastic cups to the collection that we got in 2016.



Note: If you happen to be flying out of JFK during the Open and have access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse you can try the coughtail complimentary instead of forking out US$15 a pop.

Negative: You miss out on the souvenir cup.

Positive: Made with more alcohol.


Spent the rest of the afternoon looking around the grounds and going back and forth between centre court and the outside courts.

Ash Barty:





Finally the time came to say good bye. I love my tennis and have planned multiple trip itineraries around spending a day at big tournaments so will definitely look to come back here for a 3rd time if possible. It’s a great day out for sure.

Hopped on the train again back to Times Square and to the hotel for some rest.

I had been eating most of the day out at the tennis so didn’t really feel like dinner. I did however want to take a look at Times Square at night. Sure, I had been there several times before but might as well have another visit. Walked down and by the time I got within maybe 6 blocks I was kind of regretting it. Just very busy (as expected) with the usual array of “entertainers” harassing the tourists.



Popped into the Marriott Marquis to have a drink at their terrace bar overlooking Times Square. Unfortunately it was closed. Since I had already managed to navigate the maze that this hotel is I thought I might as well have a beer at the inside bar. Downed my drink pretty quickly before deciding to call it a night. Back to the hotel and another warm greeting from the guys on the door. Up to the room and into bed.