New York City - National 9/11 Memorial

The National September 11 Memorial at Ground Zero, where all the names of those who perished on 9/11/2001 were engraved on the ledge, was sobering to see.

We didn't have time to visit the museum, but saw the One World Trade Center built to replace the Twin Towers destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  It's the tall building with spire behind us [photo below].

The One World Trade Center is NYC's tallest skyscraper, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and the fourth tallest in the world. Building began in 2006, and it opened in November 2014.

The new World Trade Center Complex will eventually include five high-rise office buildings as well as the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

We purchased two commemorative books in lieu of touring the museum.

From there we took a taxi to St. Patrick's Cathedral for Saturday's 5:30 p.m. mass.  Next post...

Eloise at the Plaza Hotel

Eloise has been synonymous with the Plaza Hotel since she was created by Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight in 1955.  Even though she's 61 years old by mathematical calculations, she's really just six years old and will never age.  The mischievous, unpredictable, naughty, and independent prankster, Eloise, is one of the Plaza's most famous [imaginary] residents who lives on the top floor with her nanny.

The children's book editor at the New York Times said Eloise defines New York City the way Madeline defines Paris.   There's even a Facebook page for Eloise [maintained by The Plaza] that is fun to visit. 

Below is a portrait of Eloise that hangs on the first floor just around the corner from the Palm Court.

Showcases of Eloise memorabilia [doll, books, Weenie the dog, Skipperdee the turtle, and DVD's] are near her portrait.

One of the nearby tables in the Palm Court was set with an Eloise teacup.

On the lower level is an Eloise shop and special room for birthday parties.  What little girl wouldn't love having a birthday party there?

Ooooooooo, cold, cold, cold, pink lemonade would be rawther lovely for a birthday party!

... and Chicken Nuggets.

An Eloise theme tea or birthday party would be so much, so I bought an Eloise book to bring home. I wish I could have been like Eloise and taken one of everything in the store and said, "Charge it please.  Thank you very much."  But I cawn't!

Is that the house phone where guests picked up the receiver and heard, "Hello, it's me, Eloise", in Kay Thompson's actual voice?  I wish I would have tried it to see.   Next visit!

Eloise isn't the only mischievous youngster associated with The Plaza Hotel. Remember Kevin McCallister who stayed at The Plaza in the 1992 Home Alone 2 movie, played by Macaulay Culkin?

[Internet Photos]

The lower level also has a fabulous food hall that reminded me of those in London's upscale department stores.

I'm so glad The Plaza Hotel was included in our NYC itinerary.  More NYC posts to come...

Arriving in New York City

We flew out of Boston's Logan airport on Friday morning, May 13th, bound for Laguardia airport in New York City [Queens].   The 'Welcome' [below] was visible from the airplane window when we touched down around noon.

It took almost two hours to get from the airport to the brownstone row house/townhouse on W. 75th Street where we'd be staying for the next four days, because we were the last ones the airport shuttle dropped off.    

Mrs. Virginia dePeyster Field bequeathed her townhouse to Hephzibah [a Christian organization] in 1926.  It is currently used as a guest house for people coming to New York City. Guests must be involved in Christian ministry as pastors, missionaries, or laymen holding positions in Christian ministries in order to stay there. Our son is an ordained minister, and since my hubby and I are actively involved in church ministry we were able to stay at Hephzibah too. There is a daily rate to stay there, but less than hotels.

Below is the parlor at Hephzibah, still very much the way it was in 1926 [except for fire extinguishing pipes]. Mrs. Field was a wealthy woman as evidenced by her six story townhouse in prime location near Central Park. The kitchen was on the lowest level, but only admissible by staff.

Steve and Sharon arrived a day ahead of us, and awaited our arrival.  After we took our luggage to our room on the second floor, we went to Hale & Hearty - a favorite soup and sandwich spot of theirs close to Hephzibah.  They have visited NYC many times and know their way around quite well, so they were our tour guides.

We got Clam Chowder, and Turkey and Smoked Gouda Cheese Sandwiches.  Yum!  

After eating we walked the short distance to Alice's Tea Cup [Chapter 1 on W. 73rd Street]. We didn't have any tea, but purchased some of their homemade cookies, and the quick visit helped us to know the exact location for a return visit. 

Then we walked up to Columbus Circle where Trump International Tower is located, because on the way to Hephzibah I noticed a stainless steel unisphere in front, and I wanted to see it up close. It reminded me of my first visit to NYC in 1965 for the N.Y. World's Fair where a giant unisphere was the theme symbol representing global interdependence.  

Below is a view of NYC from Columbus Circle.  The entrance to Central Park was across the street. 

We walked through Central Park to get to Serendipity 3 - a fun restaurant and dessert shop in the Upper East Side [225 E. 60th Street].  Before our trip to NYC, Steve and I watched the 2001 romantic comedy, Serendipity, with a scene filmed at the restaurant, so Steve thought it would be fun to go there.  A light mist was in the air, but it didn't hinder us from walking to our destination.

[Internet Photo of Movie Scene]

~ Unique trees in Central Park ~

At last we reached Serendipity 3.  It was a Friday night so the place was packed and we had to wait for an available table.

It was worth the wait!  Steve and Sharon ordered the "Frozen Hot Chocolate" which they're famous for, and I ordered a pistachio ice cream sundae.  

It's a good thing we walked five miles everyday while we were there [Sharon kept track on her Fitbit], or we would have returned home much heavier than when we went!

We took a taxi back to Hephzibah.  Jerry went to our room, but I went to Steve and Sharon's to watch Brooklyn.  I saw the movie when it came out in 2015, but since Brooklyn was on our agenda while we were in NYC, I wanted to see it again.

Our first day in the Big Apple and 'city that never sleeps' was fun, and a lot more activities were ahead of us.