New York City

We had been pondering what our next "adventure" should be, and at the same exact time, our daughter Chelsea expressed an interest in possibly attending the New York City Fashion Institute of Technology. We discovered that we had a bunch of Hilton Hotel points that we could put to use, and we decided that we would make a trip to New York City.

A bit of map research showed that we could stay at the Jersey City Hilton Double Tree and be only a short walk from a PATH Subway Station, which would provide us with direct access to various stops in the city.

• Manhattan is the most densely populated of New York City’s 5 boroughs. It's mostly made up of Manhattan Island, bounded by the Hudson, East and Harlem rivers.
• The world’s richest individual church parish resides in Manhattan, valued at $2 billion.
• If the entire world had a population density as that of Manhattan, it would fit into a single country.
• 740 Park in Manhattan is currently home to the highest concentration of billionaires in the country.
• Central Park, which opened to the public in 1858, became the first landscaped public park in an American city.
• When building the World Trade Center in 1968, 1.2 million cubic yards of material was excavated from the site. Rather than dumping the spoil at sea or in landfills, the fill material was used to expand the Manhattan shoreline across West Street, creating Battery Park City at the southern end of Manhattan.
• Over 800 languages are spoken in New York City, making it one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world.
• New York City has over 6,000 high-rise buildings and is home to some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, including One World Trade Center, which is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere at 1,776 feet.
• New York City’s subway system, with 472 stations, is one of the largest and oldest public transit systems in the world.
• New York City is a food lover’s paradise, with around 24,000 restaurants, offering cuisine from nearly every country in the world.

New York City from our Hotel Window

To amplify my previous statement about the view from the Doubletree hotel, these images of New York City were taken from our hotel room window. Great view of the Big Apple eh?

One of the standout features of this hotel is its convenient location. It's just a short commute away from Manhattan, with easy access to the PATH train system, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers exploring New York City. Jersey City itself offers a diverse culinary scene, and the hotel's on-site dining options provide delicious choices as well.

 

Click the image above to go to the Hilton Doubletree Website

 

Hopped onto a PATH subway, and rode under the River to the World Trade Center site, which at that time, was under construction. This was a somber moment remembering how that tragedy was shown on TV, but now they are rapidly constructing a new building.

Quick Facts: This is the building also known as 'Black Rock', it is the headquarters of the CBS Corporation. Located at 51 West 52nd Street at the corner of Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas), the Eero Saarinen designed building opened in 1965. It is 38 stories and 490 feet (150 meters) tall with approximately 872,000 square feet (81,000 m2) rentable of space. The interior and furnishings were designed by Saarinen and Florence Knoll.

NOTE: Above information is from Wikipedia, click here to view that Wikipedia Page.

POST EDIT NOTE: After Viacom acquired CBS in the year 2000, there were several attempts to sell this building, it was finally sold in 2021 to Harbor Group Investments (HGI).

The first Trinity Church building, a modest rectangular structure with a gambrel roof and small porch, was constructed in 1698, on Wall Street, facing the Hudson River.

Quick Facts: Trinity Church is a historic parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of New York located near the intersection of Wall Street and Broadway in the lower Manhattan section of New York City, New York. Known for both its location and endowment, Trinity is a traditional high church, with an active parish centered around the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion in missionary, outreach, and fellowship.

This 7,100-pound sculpture stands 11 feet tall and measures 16 feet long. The oversize sculpture depicts a bull, the symbol of aggressive financial optimism and prosperity, leaning back on its haunches and with its head lowered as if ready to charge.

Quick Facts: The Charging Bull, which is sometimes referred to as the Wall Street Bull or the Bowling Green Bull, is a bronze sculpture that stands in Bowling Green in the Financial District in Manhattan, New York City. Originally guerrilla art, installed unofficially by Arturo Di Modica its popularity led to it being a permanent feature.

NOTE: Above information is from Wikipedia, See our link below to the Wikipedia Page for the "Charging Bull".

The southern tip of Manhattan, Battery Park. Jeremy is looking across the Hudson River at the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York Harbor.

Quick Facts: The relatively modern Battery Park was mostly created by landfill starting from 1855, resulting in a landscaped open space at the foot of the heavily developed mainland of downtown Manhattan. Skyscrapers now occupy most of the original land, stopping abruptly where the park begins. On State Street, the former harbor front and the northern boundary of the park, a single Federal mansion, the James Watson House, survives as part of the Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton; until the 1820s, the city's stylish residential district was north of this house, between Broadway and the Hudson River.

Always something going on in Battery Park; In the first (left) image, we had stopped to watch these guys perform, they were very good. Yep, you could say that their "goal" was to collect money from the crowd - but - they were talented and disserved whatever they collected!

And in the second (right) image (just around the corner) another group of entertainers. They were not near as talented as the other crew, but their ability to walk on stilts was impressive.

As our daughter was going to graduate high school and she was very interested in fashion design, we scheduled a visit to the Fashion Institute of Technology on 27th street between 7th & 8th Avenues. This image is the David Dubinsky Student Center at 340 Eighth Avenue between 27th and 28th Streets.

Aspiring fashionistas, set your sights on the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. This prestigious public college isn't just about clothes – it's a hub for all things fashion, design, business, and technology. Founded in 1944, FIT offers a vast array of undergraduate and graduate programs, from fashion design and textiles to jewelry making and fashion marketing. Beyond academics, FIT fosters creativity with its on-campus galleries, including the renowned Museum at FIT showcasing fashion history through exhibits. Hone your skills in industry-standard labs and studios, and gain invaluable experience through internships and career fairs. Located in the heart of NYC's vibrant fashion scene, FIT provides unparalleled access to the industry, making it a dream destination for anyone passionate about the world of fashion.

We decided to start our exploration by taking the subway to the Natural History Museum, because it is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. In Theodore Roosevelt Park the museum complex comprises 26 interconnected buildings housing 45 permanent exhibition halls, in addition to a planetarium and a library. The museum collections contain over 34 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts as well as specialized collections for frozen tissue and genomic and astrophysical data, of which only a small fraction can be displayed at any given time, and occupies more than 2 million square feet (190,000 m2). The museum has a full-time scientific staff of 225, sponsors over 120 special field expeditions each year, and averages about five million visits annually.

Since there is a subway station at 81st street & Central Park West, the Museum is easy to get to and it is directly across the street from Central Park.

After our Museum of Natural History exploration, we walked through Central Park to 5th Avenue, turned south, and walked down to the Public Library building at 476 5th Avenue - just a few blocks north of the Empire State building.

The New York Public Library is the second largest public library in the United States (behind the Library of Congress), and fourth largest in the world.

Quick Facts: The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, commonly known as the Main Branch or the New York Public Library, is the flagship building in the New York Public Library system and a landmark in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The branch, one of four research libraries in the library system, contains nine separate divisions. The structure contains four stories open to the public. The main entrance steps are at Fifth Avenue at its intersection with East 41st Street. As of 2015, this branch contains an estimated 2.5 million volumes in its stacks.

NOTE: Above information is from Wikipedia, click here to view the Wiki Page.

After our Empire State Building tour, we descended to ground level and decided to walk about the Manhattan area. You can see by the crowds that it is obviously a week day lunch time!

Manhattan is a shopper's paradise, offering everything from high-end luxury to quirky vintage finds. Fifth Avenue is the undisputed king of luxury, with iconic brands like Gucci and Prada lining its prestigious streets. Venture beyond the main avenues and discover SoHo's trendy boutiques, or head to the Meatpacking District for edgy designer stores. Don't miss the department store haven of Herald Square, housing Macy's and Bloomingdale's, perfect for one-stop shopping sprees. For vintage treasures, dive into the East Village's thrift shops or browse the unique stalls of Brooklyn Flea, a weekend market brimming with hidden gems. Whether you crave designer labels or one-of-a-kind finds, Manhattan's diverse shopping scene guarantees an unforgettable experience.

Shopping in Manhattan: Click here to view a Google Search Results list for shopping in Manhattan.

Could there be a more famous name than this? Radio City Music Hall was built on a plot of land that was originally intended for a Metropolitan Opera House. The opera house plans were canceled in 1929, leading to the construction of Rockefeller Center. The new complex included two theaters, the "International Music Hall" and the Center Theatre, as part of the "Radio City" portion of Rockefeller Center.

Step into the glitz and glamour of New York City's Radio City Music Hall, a landmark of art deco architecture and dazzling entertainment. Opened in 1932, the Music Hall boasts the iconic Rockettes, a precision dance troupe famous for their high kicks. Catch the legendary Christmas Spectacular, a festive extravaganza featuring dazzling costumes, heart-warming stories, and a live orchestra. Beyond the iconic show, Radio City Music Hall stages concerts, special events, and movie premieres. With its opulent interior, rich history, and unforgettable performances, Radio City Music Hall offers a quintessential New York City experience.

• Plan your trip in advance: New York City is a huge city with a lot to see and do, so it's important to plan your trip in advance to make the most of your time. This includes booking your accommodations, researching the attractions you want to visit, and purchasing tickets to shows or events.
• Consider the time of year you want to visit: New York City is beautiful in all seasons, but the weather can vary greatly. If you're looking for warm weather, visit during the summer months. If you're looking for cooler weather and fewer crowds, visit during the spring or fall.
• Choose the right accommodations for your needs: New York City has a wide variety of accommodations, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels. Consider your budget, your travel style, and your desired location when choosing your accommodations.
• Get a MetroCard: The subway is the best way to get around New York City. A MetroCard is a pay-as-you-go card that can be used on the subway and buses.
• Walk a lot: New York City is a very walkable city. Walking is a great way to see the sights and get some exercise.
• Be prepared for crowds: New York City is a very crowded city. Be patient and polite when dealing with crowds.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help: New Yorkers are generally friendly and helpful. If you're lost or need directions, don't be afraid to ask a local.
• Enjoy the food: New York City has some of the best food in the world. Try everything from pizza to bagels to hot dogs.
• Take a photo at the iconic landmarks: New York City is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world, such as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the Empire State Building.
• Don't overpack: You'll be doing a lot of walking, so you don't want to be weighed down by a heavy suitcase. Pack light and bring comfortable shoes.
• Have fun: New York City is a magical city. Relax, have fun, and enjoy your trip!