Midtown Magic

Today, (Saturday) we decided to explore the area of the city known as Midtown. We could see the edge of Central Park between the buildings from our 39th floor window, so headed off in that direction. Our hotel the Hilton is huge, we all found it strange to have your ears popping in an elevator! 

After a short walk we came across Trump Tower, it opened at 8am so hung around to be allowed in. A really strange building with a Trump gift shop in the basement. We wanted to buy a couple of those campaign t shirts "Make America Great Again", but were told we couldn't buy them as we weren't US citizens. What a pity, we reckon they would be worth something in a few years !

Look at the security here ...

... these guys are seriously tooled up. Look at the clips on the chest of the guy on the far left ! I guess Mr President has a few enemies!

Eventually we walked down Park Avenue and found Central Park, and the Plaza hotel, made famous in the film Home Alone 2 the kids grew up watching, you know where Kevin uses his dads credit card and books himself into a suite, and then meets the bird lady over the road in the Park! One of our favourite family films.

Here we all are on the edge of the lake.

Amazing skyline from on the mound in the park. Loads of joggers / runners about.

A cool morning, quite a cold wind out of the Sun but great to walk that food off we all over indulged yesterday in the upperclass lounge. 

Ice skaters in the park.

This is Strawberry Fields, a famous mosaic and part of the park dedicated to John Lennon, with help from Yoko. The mosaic was a gift from the city of Naples, Italy.

One of those Angry Birds !

So here we are, that look on her face usually costs money !!

Luckily there is a cheaper floor, but Helen didn't find anything that took her fancy ... phew. 

(Quick escape while you can .. she said) 

We came across the Microsoft shop. Three floors of the latest tech for Will. Some amazing surface pro kit and X-Box game machines. We had a go on a street fighter console. 

In the end Helen and Hayley went back to the hotel for a cuppa and left me and Will to have a play!

Out of my depth I'm afraid !!

Grand Central station. Vast Huge and Amazing. 44 Platforms. Hayley pointed out the tiny section of uncleaned ceiling was left purposely to show the original dirt and grime before the cleaning - from the days of the early 20th century and steam trains.

We had lunch at The restaurant overlooking the station. A good spot, Mark and the kids had a meatball sandwich and Helen went for Eggs Benedict. 

Ceiling with star constellation of the zodiac.

Video Clip. Grand Central

The famous Oyster bar underground. We did that thing where you stand in opposite corners and talk quietly and the sound travels up and over the ceiling and you can hear each other. It really does work as we took it in turns to stand in the middle and you couldn't hear a word, yet at each corner you could !

One of the Metro trains on the platform.

After a bit more walking we found Times Square. Very busy on a Saturday afternoon.

William and Hayley taking it all in.

Next, we sootted  the Empire State Building between other skyscrapers. We are looking forward to a proper visit and a trip up there later in the week.

And as if by Magic .... we somehow found Macy's on 34th Street. Well of course Helen has to start hr shopping sometime soon, but we all found the shopping experience quite hard going. The place was packed with people, a bit too much for Helen today. Maybe later in the week!

Eventually after walking almost th length of the Avenue Americas we made it back to the Hotel for about 5pm. A Wonderful Day in Midtown, tomorrow we head further out and across to the Statue of Liberty.