On September 23, I had to take a short trip to New York City for a business meeting. The last time I went to New York was in about 1986 or 87, when I took my Girl Scout troop on a train trip. We were in New York for two days during the hottest heat wave of the 80’s, and thought we wouldn’t make it out of there alive. On this trip, however, the weather was a bit nicer.
I stayed at the Park South Hotel, which is located on Park Avenue at 28th Street. It was swank, baby! I have stayed in some pretty nice hotels in my life, including the Foutain Bleu in Miami, and the Omni Hotel in Washington, D.C. The Park South was really really nice and in my opinion right up there with the best hotels.
My room was small, but it was just me so it was ok. If Fabgrandpa had been with me, it would been a little crowded, I think. The bed was very comfortable. I slept like a baby!
Even though the room was small, it was very big on style. Everything about it was elegant. Look at that chandelier that was above the bed!
Even the bathroom here was elegantly styled. The shower was really nice! And maid service left a ton of towels and washcloths in there.
Since I was only in town for one day and one night, I wanted to make the most of it. After checking the map that of New York City that I was given when I checked in, I decided to walk over to the Empire State Building. It was only about a half a mile away.
While it is not the tallest building in the city, it is one of the most famous ones. I was very excited that I was going to get to go there. I have to be honest, though, and tell ya that there were several times during my walk that I wished I had not decided to go over there. I have only made it up to walking on the treadmill, in an air conditioned building, for about eight minutes. This walk, outside on a very warm day in NYC, took me about an hour to walk. I rested a LOT! I took my time, looking in shop windows; reading restaurant menus that were posted outside; and stopping to buy souvenirs.
I don’t know the name of this building, or even if it HAS a name. I just thought the architecture was beautiful.
There were several people standing on the corner of 5th Avenue and 32nd Street, selling tickets for the tour of the Empire State Building. My ticket cost $42, but the one I bought let me skip a line or two inside the lobby, so I was glad that I bought it out there on the street. It was SO HOT inside. Of course, I think every tourist in New York City was at the Empire State Building along with me. I think I waited on line, moving slowly towards the elevators that took us up to the 86th floor, for about an hour and a half. I am sure it is because I went at night. The view of the city is so beautiful, with all the buildings lit up, and the river lit up, and more people want to see that view so they wait until after dark to go up. I just went when I could and it happened to be at night.
Once I got up to the 86th floor and made my way out onto the observation deck, it was so crowded I had to elbow my way over to the edge so I could take some pictures. OK, I didn’t actually elbow my way, but I did have to wait for people to move out of the way, and you DID have to be aggressive to get over by the edge. Don’t go up there expecting people to just offer to get out of your way. It is not going to happen. I think it was well worth the price of the ticket, and the long wait, and the standing in lines, and the pushy people, to get these photos and to see that wonderful view. What do you think?
I made my way all the way around the observation deck, taking pictures from all side. New York City is so pretty all lit up at night.
There were people from all over the world up there with me that night. Everyone was smiling, and talking away in whatever language they spoke. It was truly an international experience. I helped several people by taking pictures of them with the night time city in the background with their cameras and phones. One person took my picture for me with my camera:
I’m not sure but I think this is the Hudson River. Whatever the name of it is it is so beautiful in this view.
I took a ton of photos, and could show you many many more. After walking around the observation deck, I made my way back inside, and got in yet another line to take the elevator down to the lobby. Before I got in the line though, I saw a poster from the original King Kong movie. I had to get a picture of that!
The tour was really amazing, and I highly recommend it if you ever find yourself in New York City. Just go at night to get the best view.
By this time it was almost 9:00 p.m., and I was starving, so I thought I would go eat some New York pizzza. I went into Little Italy Pizza, and the pizzas there looked really good, but it was so hot in the restaurant I couldn’t stay. So, I walked on down 5th Avenue to Dong Chung Hong, which is a kind of mix between Chinese and Korean. They brought out the little bowls of Kimchee instead of the Chinese chip thingys like I am used to getting at Chinese restaurants in Georgia. I was tired, hot, and hungry, so I decided to just order Shrimp Fried Rice instead of experimenting with the menu.
On the walk back to the hotel, I saw this food truck that sells Goat Rice. It was parked next to a banner sign for the new Stephen Colbert Show. I had to snap a shot of that. It was in front of the CBS headquarters building. I stopped at a deli on the way to get a slice of New York Cheesecake. After all, it’s not New York if you don’t have cheesecake.
The next morning, before heading out to my meeting, I stopped in the deli next door to the hotel, Bagel and a Schmear, for what else, a bagel and a schmear.
So, that is my whirlwind trip to New York City. If I ever get to go again, I think I’ll ride the Staten Island Ferry. What would you do if you had only one quick night in New York?
harolde says
I was in New Jersey 2 weeks ago on a business trip, so I got my wife to fly over there for a weekend, we went to New York for 2 nights, what we did was buy a hop on hop off bus pass (tour) and just saw as much of the city as possible. Too much to do in a few days.
Karen says
Harolde, I wish I had known about that. I sure would have done it.
Anita Fonte says
I live here in NYC. There are still things that I have not done. Definitely take the Staten Island ferry 2x once during the day and then go at night. The skyline at night is beautiful.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I love NYC. I can’t believe that I haven’t been there since last Thanksgiving, but we are thinking about going back down for the parade again this year.
Jamie says
I’ve always wanted to visit there. Looks like a beautiful place that you stayed in! 🙂
Crystal says
How fun! It is such a big city with so much to do. Don’t wait so long to get back to New York City.
Jennifer H says
It really had been a long time since you visited! It sounds like you made the most of your time there. And I’ve found all hotels in NY are small. LOL
Elizabeth @ Being MVP says
Looks like you had a great time! I love New York and the great food there 🙂
rachel says
Great photos! It looks like you had a great (quick) trip to NY! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Valerie Remy-Milora says
I can’t remember the last time I was in New York so clearly it has been much too long since my last visit. I agree that the “price” you paid to get those photos was well worth it! What a gorgeous night you had and what a priceless view of this fascinating city!
jasmine says
My home town!! Nothing better than a trip to NY! Looks like you had a lot of fun
geogypsy2u says
How fun, even if a long walk.
Janet W. says
What a beautiful place to stay and visit! I haven’t been to NY in a very long time. Looks like so many great things to do and see!