World Trade Centre site

The World Trade Centre site has changed a lot since the first time I vistted back in 1996. I have seen it when the Twin Towers were at this site and remember looking down from the outside observation deck and seeing the communication tower on top of the roof. I saw on TV the fateful day of 9/11 and then saw in person the site flattened as Ground Zero then on subsequent trips the construction from Ground Zero to the breath taking memorial it is today.

On another blog, I will talk just about the National 9/11 Museum, but in this blog I just want to mention a few ground level and above sights. All the areas except the Museum are free to view.

1. The Memorial Pools- these lie in the footprints of where the Twin Towers once soared. They have names of people and first responders cut into the metal barrier around each pool. The metal is designed to never feel cool to the touch. We were there last in December and it was approx -15 degrees C in temperature and yet when we took our gloves off, the metal was in fact warm to the touch.

The Travel Concierge Tip- Take a photo of a name or write down a name that appears around the memorial and research that person to have a more intimate experience of the people that lost their lives on and around 9/11.

The Travel Concierge tip: Try to plan your time Downtown to see the Memorial pools during the day and lit up after dark.

2.The Freedom Tower- This beautiful glass architecture masterpiece has been teh topic of many documentaries showing its strength and structure that can withold plane, missile and truck attacks. It is a fortress, and yet when you see it in person, all you see is the beauty.

3. The Freedom Tree-Many people come to this site and yet don't know and don't go looking for the Freedom Tree. This tree was the symbol of the American spirit. The tree's amazing story can be found here.

4. The Occulus Transportation Hub and Shops-

You cannot miss this really unusually shaped structure. Many people think that it is the 9/11 Museum but it is the Transportation hub and has a lot of shops and restaurants within it. At night the roof lights up. The view from inside looking up is fantastic. A list of retailers can be found here.

The Travel Concierge tip: Be aware that there will be security armed around the whole 9/11 site. there are vans and roads blocked around the area for everyone's safety.

5. Double Check Statue- Nearby, you will find the statue of a man leaning over his briefcase. This statue was around before 9/11 and was badly beaten around on September 11. First Responders put a hard hat on his head and fire hose next to him. He was coated in a darker colour (he was bronze before) to fit the sombre nature of 9/11. He is in Liberty Plaza which is on the southern side heading south along Greenwich St.

6. Firefighter house and memorial wall-

7. National 9/11 Museum- I will do a whole blog just on this emotional museum. Can I just say here that they have done a fantastic job and it really felt like a sort of closure from all the footage we saw on TV seeing things like crushed fire trucks and a random shoe on the side walk. Really worth the money and I would ABSOLUTELY say book online ahead of time to ensure you get the timed ticket appropriate to your plans.

The Highline

The Highline is a dedicated walk way and park area raised above the streets of Mid-town New York. It is built on what was an abandoned freight train line. After a high fatality rate from freight trains killing pedestrians, the train lines were raised above the street level in
 the 1930's. With the evolution of freight being moved by trucks, the freight lines became abandoned.

When we visitted on our last trip, we entered at the W28th Street entrance. It was a unique experience and I liked how there were art installations along the way. It gave a great perspective of the city looking down from a storey up. The Highline is a free experience.

The biggest tip I could give you is to download the guide before you leave home. Check where the rest rooms are and other exits as you cannot actually get out except at these stairs and lifts. If someone in your party cannot access stairs, particularly look for where the lift access entrances are.

How to get here- Look at the map and head out on foot to one of the entrances OR the closest subway stop to the Highline would be the 7 Manhattan to Queens train getting off at 34th St- Hudson Yards train. This brings you to the northern most point of the Highline and the entrance point is an accesible ramp at W34th and 12th St.

 

Highline website is found here

The map of the Highline with entrances and rest rooms is found here

Central Park New York

Central Park

What: A recreational park for the people of New York. The park covers an area of over 840 acres.     There are many wonderful things to see within the park. Some to look out for are Strawberry Fields- dedicated to the memory of John Lennon, The 1872 Victorian children's carousel, a  large bronze statue of Alice In Wonderland for children to climb on, the Hans Christian Andersen statue, Mother Goose statue, The Zoo and Belvedere Castle. The easiest and quickest way to get an all round view of the park with running commentary is by taking a ride in one of the horse and carriages. The drivers are happy to answer your questions and will show you points of interest along the way.

Where: Central Park is located at 59^th -110^th Sts

 The carriage rides start and end from 59^th St.

How to get there: Catch the subway to Columbus Circle and then walk towards 6^th St. (Avenue of the Americas)

Cost: The park is free to enter.

The Travel Concierge Fact: Some famous films have been  shot in Central Park including Elf, Enchanted, Men In Black 3, The Avengers, One Fine Day, When In Rome and Home Alone 2.

Bike Riding in Central Park: Bike riding in Central Park is so much fun. What isn't fun is trying to rent them.This can become a nightmare trying to get bikes as a number of groups will be standing at entrances to Central Park giving you amazing costs for bike rental. When you agree you then realise the pick up point is a long hike away and the rental time starts when you pick them up. The 2 that we have found are easiest and best are Central Park Bike Rental. They are at 117 W 58th St. Their website is here. They are only 1 block from the park.

Playgrounds for kids: Whenever we have travelled to New York with children our first full day in town we head up to Central Park and let them play at Hecksher Park which is easily accessible from the 59th st entrances off Center Drive. They love to let off steam and this is one of those "feel like a local' moments. A map of Playgrounds in Central Park

The Travel Concierge Tip: In warmer weather dress your kids with swimming cossies underneath and bring a towel. They have water fountains to cool the children off and you KNOW your kids will want in on that!

Carriage Rides: The carriage ride prices are negotiable, but around $60 for a carriage to take you around a section of the park for about 20 minutes. You can just turn up on the day. They might be busy when you turn up, but we have always just walked up. You could always explore the park and come back.

Walking through Central Park: Below is a list of highlights through the park and where they are in relation to the streets along the edge of Central Park.

The Travel Concierge tip: The lamp posts throughout Central Park give directions. The first 2 numbers show the nearest cross street and the 2nd 2 numbers say how many lamp posts you are away from either 5th Avenue (east) or Central Park west (west) . e.g. E7803 is east near 78th street. It is 3 lamp posts from 5th Ave. 

64th Street Traverse -The Carousel. It is located mid-park. The ride is $3. (cash only) April to October it operates 10-6. November to March it operates shorter hours. Also here is the Wollman Rink.

72nd St Traverse- Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, Hans Christian Andersen statue, Alice in Wonderland statue, Bow Bridge, Mother Goose statue, Balto statue, The Mall, Boathouse and row boats. Row boats are $15 per hour (cash only) with a $20 deposit.

The Travel Concierge tip: The Loeb Boathouse can be an expensive meal that not everyone can afford and with children, not an option. There is a takeaway section that has some really good choice meals. Pull up a patch of grass under the trees. You can chill while the kids run around you.

79th St Traverse- Belvedere Castle, Turtle Pond, The Shakespeare Gardens, Charles B Stover bench, Swedish Cottage

The Travel Concierge Fact: The Charles B Stover bench is similar to the Grand Central Station Whispering Wall. If a person sits on each end and one whispers into the corner it will acoustically travel clearly to the person on the other end.

81st St Traverse- Metro Museum, Obelisk

The Travel Concierge tip: 

-While the suggested admission(donation) cost to get into the Met museum is $25A $17 seniors and $12 students, they will accept any amount you are ok to pay. If you are on an overseas trip costing you tens of thousands of $ and all you can afford to pay within your budget is $20 for your family, they will let you in. 

-Make the most of your limited time in the MET and look at a map of the museum and prioritise what exhibits and gallery areas you want to see first. MET museum website

85th St Traverse- The Shuman Running Track and Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.

Map of Main attractions in Central Park

Running/ Walking Map with Distances

Central Park Bike riding Map