NYC Start Spreadin' The News

NYC! There are so many reasons I keep going back.

My fascination started when I took a one day bus trip. I was a bit anxious about going to “the city” and not just any city, but New York City! The trip was to include Ground Zero, China Town and Time Square. We had stayed with our group at Ground Zero and Chinatown, but wanting a little more adventure, my sister in-law and I decided to do our “own” tour. The bus driver gave us our pickup details and off we went.

Our first site was a ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Following the crowd we boarded the vessel, pulling out of the dock, talking and taking in the sights, we realized...we were floating right past her, the Statue of Liberty! We boarded the wrong ferry! We laughed all the way to Stanton Island and back to the Big Apple. I did get some amazing pictures and a fantastic story. To find our next adventure we strolled up Wall Street and hailed a cab to take us to Time Square. It was AMAZING, busy with people, lights and sounds and I knew I wanted to come back!
And I have. I have seen the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock and eaten at Bobby Flays Restaurant (Bar American) for dinner. It was fabulous, all of it. I have lunched in Little Italy, been mesmerized by St. Patrick's’ Cathedral, and shopped up and down 5th Avenue until my feet hurt.

This August, I was able to visit my NYC again. While my travel companions had an agenda of Roof Tops in the Big Apple, my focus was the newly opened 9/11 Memorial Museum. The views from the Roof Tops were breathtaking. We enjoyed dinner at Beauty & Essex (East Side), ventured to Time Square for the energy. On our walk back we were puzzled by streets lined with motorcycles, one after another for blocks. Speaking to a rider, we had met members of “AMERICAS 911 FOUNDATION”, a non-profit organization that gives scholarships to 1st responders’ families. Every August they ride to all 3 memorial locations. A total of 816 bikes rode this year. I found out they were going to the 9/11 Memorial Museum for the 1st time and so was I!

Arriving at the Memorial, I was taken back at the mere size of it. The 9/11 Memorial is beautiful and peaceful. The care and planning of this Memorial was truly magnificent. The young ladies accompanying me hadn’t realized the scale of tragedy this day will forever have on our country. We entered the 9/11 Museum with anxiety and uncertainty, of what we would see, feel, hear, recall and learn. The 9/11 Museum is not for the faint at heart, it is “REAL”. The tribute to those lost and fallen is done with the utmost respect. This was the most humbling experience I have ever had. I will go back again. There is so much to say about this 9/11 Memorial Museum, and I don’t want to take anything away from it; it is an experience all should have. I wouldn’t recommend it for young children; it is a very vivid testimonial of an event that has changed America as we know it. United We Stand!

The myths about “the city” being of stone and concrete, was certainly that…a myth, I find this city friendly, inviting and compassionate. NYC offers such diverse opportunities; there is something for everyone to do. I still have a few things on my to-do list; Central Park, Cruise out of NYC, Meet Jimmy Fallon (or at least go to one of his shows) Statue of Liberty, see the Brooklyn Bridge, take in a Broadway Show and many more, not to mention maybe figure out the subway system.

Want to join me?

Jodie Carlisle Consultant, Carson Travel
NYC Travel Lover and Trip Designer
jodiec@carsontrav.com

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