Empire State Building

We saved this landmark for the end of our visit..... turned out to be a good idea.... we were really able to see so many of the places we have visited during the month.  We arrived early (before 9) and it was really worth it.... we walked right past all the maze of ropes that are used when it is crowded....
Since I had been there with Beth the path to the elevators has definitely been improved.   The art deco interior is stunning and they have added a photo and artifact area that is very enjoyable before the elevators to the Observatory.   We had read on Trip Advisor not to bother with the 102nd floor and we found it to be true.....great view from the 86th floor and at the higher level we may have been above the clouds! 

Entrance to the Building

Empire State Building Guide.... love the uniforms!

View of the Empire State Building from the Circle Line Cruise

Walking Tour of Harlem..... Big Onion Tours

All 4 of us set out for our Harlem Walking Tour with the Big Onion Tour group this morning.  We were a bit early (the express subways really zip you around town!) so we had a little extra time to explore the exhibits at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture......also a  Public Library.........wonderful photo exhibit in the gallery....... We met the tour right out front of this building (also very convenient to the subway we had just exited).  The 30 of us moved fairly easily around the blocks that the tour encompassed.

Abyssinian Baptist Church

These next two photos are from an area called Striver's Row.... just beautiful!

Saint Philip's Episcopal Church

Our guide did an excellent job informing us of the history of the area while blending it with updated information on the neighborhood.  As the tour entered the area on 125th Street where it was quite crowded it became a bit harder to hear... trucks, buses, etc.  .... but we certainly gained knowledge about the area.  The tour concluded at the Apollo Theater. There the guide was careful not to step on the toes of any tours that might be conducted within the theater by other operators.  After giving people advice on how to return to Manhattan or other parts of the city the tour concluded.

Our visit was not quite finished..... we did wander inside the theater and were allowed a peak into the main stage area by a friendly security guard.  But, the highlight of our visit to the lobby was the brief view into the life of this historic theater by a man named Billy Mitchell ( he leads tours and they would no doubt be wonderful!) ...... He told a few tales and while pointing out some famous faces on posters he would break out into song to remind us of the entertainer portrayed on that poster.

 So much fun!

Last stop was a visit to Sylvia's on Lenox Avenue..... another yummy lunch.... this time fried chicken with delicious side dishes.

Jersey Boys.... and "Girls"

Today's highlight was definitely a visit from my sister Barb and our good friend Muff.... both Jersey Girls..... our tickets were great......  the story of the Four Seasons was woven through their hits.......the crowd was not suprisingly right around our age.... some of whom insisted on singing every word.....

We had time for a little stroll in Central Park, a visit to the pier close to us in Riverside Park and of course, some yummy food.  (Can't beat Chinese for lunch and Italian for dinner!)

The Asia Society and the Frick Collection

The cafe..... very nice!

From the lobby looking out.... no photo bans broken!

My goal following the window shopping was to visit 2 of the highly recommended smaller museums.  The first was the Asia Society...... interesting to say the least.... Instead of finding a small zenlike museum (as I had thought based on some posts on Trip Advisor) I found the museum was having a VERY modern exhibit.  When I mention that the most "zen" locations in the museum were the gift shop and the lobby near the restrooms.... that should give a small sense of the surprises from this particular exhibit.  The friendly guard at one part of the exhibit shared.... "think Tim Burton movie props....but not quite as good!"  I think he captured it!  The second floor housed more of the same only with the added feature of being ALL WHITE... so we had to put on booties to enter the room.  The installation included wrapped objects (very intricate) and lots of tiny balls of string.  No photos allowed... so I cannot share!  But, the name of the artist was Lin Tianmiao....

The Frick Collection was almost perfect.  It is a manageable museum ( can visit in 2-3 hours) at a reasonable price ($15 for seniors) in a beautiful building.  It includes an indoor garden area and the audio tour is part of that fee.  It would have been "perfect" if the first space we were herded to had NOT been the basement..... with intricate sketches.... definitely would have had a better sense of the "estate" like quality of the museum if we had not begun the tour there.

Window Shopping - Upper East Side

Most of the stores speak for themselves.... honestly, I never heard of some of the brands... like the one above, and the one below.....

This one I recognize.....

And of course this one..... you enter this "box" and descend into the HUGE store....

FAO Schwartz..... toy lover's paradise.... so nice and quiet on a weekday morning.

Elegant macaroon shop........

Fascinating window with deer antlers, chrystal and mink.......

Trump ...... Midtown Walk

While John returned to Ellis Island today I set out for some Upper East Side walking and some museums.  After exiting a crosstown bus because of traffic jams.... I stumbled on the Trump Building in the Upper 50's.... I had remembered a good friend taking us through there in a previous trip just for a look (and probably a decent bathroom stop!) The photos of the interior will show that despite his over-the-top personality, the building is pretty understated and elegant.  You can't miss that there is "Trump Bar" and "Trump Ice Cream" , but there were 2 public gardens with an interesting view so it was worth the stop!

Fall Colors in NYC

We have stayed long enough to see the change in the leaves.... although, we have been so lucky with pleasant weather for the past 10 days, that I didn't think we would.  I will post these 3 photos today, but I will add to this post if I find other beautiful trees later during our LAST week!

Bargemusic.... Back to Brooklyn.....

Today was planned to be an afternoon with my cousin Joe and his wife Rosanne.  Unfortunately, he is not feeling well... took a rare day off on Friday... and was still not well enough to join us.  We felt like professional travelers today... we made it to Brooklyn and back without consulting any tour books or apps for assistance.  We took the subway over and with the bridge as a navigation tool, it was pretty easy to get there.  We had an ice cream at the famous Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, right under the bridge and then made it to the concert venue. 

The "barge" is right on the pier (Joe's company provided the barge for the location a few years ago).  It is such a picturesque spot that there were lots of visitors on this beautiful day. 

The concert today was chamber music with some really excellent musicians.  One is the director of the "Bargemusic" program in Brooklyn and he was a very charismatic gentleman.  The other musicians were equally talented and when our attention wandered there was so much to take a peak at through the windows..... seagulls, tourists, tour boats, jet skis, bridal parties.....The musicians were:  Mark Peskanov, Andy Lin, Adrian Daurov and Michael Kimmelman.  Quite a talented group!

Many thanks to Joe for the tickets .... hoping for your speedy recovery!

Joe suggested that we take the ferry to Wall Street instead of just returning the way we came.  Great suggestion!  We were able to make a trip loop around Brooklyn Bridge Park.... quite a lovely location with trails and playgrounds..... Quick but scenic ride across and an easy connection to the subway on Wall Street.