22nd October 2017
So after a pretty much perfect day what could match it for our last day in New York?
Well how about Central Park and TOTR at night? Not too shabby
I had managed to find a Groupon offer for 4hrs bike rental for the 4 of us $45 which was a bargain I thought. The bikes were fine and we declined the extra insurance thank you. We got to the bike rental in good time about 9.30 on the Sunday morning. It was feeling warm already. When we dropped them off at 2 there were people waiting for bikes and literally none left in the shop so my tip is go for the morning!
New York’s finest heading into the park.
Bearing in mind I don’t cycle and the last time had been inCalifornia cycling the Golden Gte to Sausalito I was quite pleased I managed it ok. The shop was very close to the park and we were off the roads in a matter of a couple of minutes, walking where it looked too busy. DH cycles a lot and the boys did too so they were off and it was just a matter of telling them to watch out for other people
round the park.
It’s a great park to cycle and most of it quite flat with just one big hill up and down. As you see the weather was perfect, warm and sunny but not sweltering.
I found another Hamilton statue! We stopped off for a photo and met another English family doing the same. We had a Hamilton discussion much to DHs dismay - he doesn’t get it at all
We headed round stopping off as we went for photos and a break.
The autumn colours were beautiful in the sunshine and this was a real highlight for all of us. The boys loved the cycling after days of walking and gave them a sense of freedom which was a real joy to see.
We went to Belvedere Castle which the boys were keen to see. DH stayed with bikes as we hadn’t got bike locks to secure them and he wasn’t bothered. The rest of us went up to the top and looked out at Central Park - Big smiles.
We carried on round visiting the Alice statue as you do. The boys loved that you could just climb all over it and went for it!
At the Bethesda Fountain we stopped on the Terrace for ice creams and a toilet break. There was a group singing who were fantastic, I stopped for a listen and dropped some money in.
We followed the road round to Stawberry Fields for the inevitable picture there which I apparently haven’t got here and checked out the Dakota Building
Then back to the start, checking out Trump Hotel on the way back to the bike shop.
Bikes safely returned we had planned to go to Serendipity 3 but alas when we got there it was at least an hours wait and none of us were prepared to hang on so we headed off in search of food.
We decided to head back to Hells Kitchen to find an eaterie there. Daltons looked good so that where we ended up.
Safe to say I was happy with my sandwich
In fact we all enjoyed this meal especially as we hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
Anyway bellies filled again we headed to the Rockefeller centre to get tickets for the evening.
Tickets secured we headed for a Starbucks in the Centre. I had a salted caramel mocha Frappuccino which was delicious - let’s not talk calories though.
Halloween was definitely on the way
We then headed out to watch the ice skating
We just sat and watched and I again thought what a great time of year to visit, we had the lovely weather but it was starting to get Christmassy, beautiful autumn colours, Halloween going on.
Finally it was time to head up and I must admit to getting a bit misty eyed as I knew this was the end of our NY adventure and it had been beyond anything I had imagined, bigger, louder, friendlier, sunnier
than I had expected. Not a bad way to end it here looking out at ESB.
We spent a good while at the top taking in the fantastic city we had all fallen for and taking inevitable photos before heading back to pack ready for the next adventure. I leave you with just a few...
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