Updated on January 1, 2017
Weekend Trip to New York City, Day 2 on July 24th, 2016
Second day at New York.
Since we arrived at our Airbnb host very late last night this morning, we also got up very late. We left our host at 1045, for which, my friend comforted me as “standard college student time”.
Brooklyn Neighborhood
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Brooklyn Neighborhood
Last night, it was pitch-dark, and I was tired from all the day’s activities. But now with the sun shining brightly, I got the chance to experience this lovely Brooklyn neighborhood by walking my way to the subway station.
Intersection of Park Place and Nostrand Avenue
MTA Trains Passing By
Chinese StoreFactory of the world.
Intersection of Fulton Street and Nostrand Avenue
New York Subway Nostrand Station
New York Subway Nostrand StationI guess these tiles were cleaned at most once a month, otherwise how could they be this dirty?
Since it’s New York subway, expectedly, we took a train going the wrong direction.
But this time, I didn’t have my drowsiness to blame. So I point the problem towards the signs in the station, which reads two station names instead of the commonly understandably “downtown” and “uptown”. My friend pointed me a direction, which I thought he was sure it’s downtown but he wasn’t.
New York Subway Utica StationThis is a large station, so we could reverse track and took the right train to Manhattan.
The good thing was that, we got on an express train, which just jumped stations like crazy. So it wasn’t a long ride.
Buildings on 34th Street
Macy’s Department Store
Macy’s Department Store
Herald Square
Macy’s Banner by Herald Square
HM Store by Herald Square
CUNY Graduate Center
Our first stop of the day was Empire State Building. Last night, we enjoyed the night views of New York City from Rockefeller Tower, so today’s Big Apple in bright sunlight from another famous skyscraper in Manhattan.
Empire State Building Visitor Lobby
Windows on the 80th Floor of Empire State Building
The main observatory of Empire State Building is on the 86th floor. However, since the original design of Empire State Building was 80 floors, with the additional part later added to rival the height of Chrysler Building, the first elevator ride only took us to the 80th floor, as we were given a display of Empire State Building’s histories.
One thing I wasn’t so sure of, why did they blurred the lower half of all the windows in the 80th floor. I guess to stop people from thronging around the windows for the view and thus blocking passageways. They believe the only observatories were 86th floor and up.
Wirings in Empire State BuildingI wasn’t too comfortable seeing wirings like this. Although they seemed quite organized, I thought there must be a way to conceal them. One possible explanation for their presence was that the whole Empire State Building, from the 80th floor up, was added later to rival the height of Chrysler Building, so it’s not part of the original design.
From the 80th floor there’s another elevator ride up the 86th floor, which meant more waiting in line. However, we were given the option of walking 6 stories up, which we unwillingly accepted (because the lines weren’t short).
Empire State Building ShaftIt’s a little bit scary to look down this bottomless shaft. I guess it leads all the way to the ground floor.
Rockefeller Tower before Central Park
Herald Square beneath Us
Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan
Visitors to the Empire State Building Observatory
I bumped into an English summer camp made up of Chinese elementary-school-goers, and the only English words they every spoke were each other’s names.
View from Empire State Building Observatory
View from Empire State Building Observatory
View from Empire State Building Observatory
View from Empire State Building Observatory
George Washington BridgeAs I vividly explained the bridge-gate scandal to my friend.
Skyscrapers of Manhattan
432 Park Avenue Building, Rockefeller Tower and Central Park
Buildings beneath UsBasically all the rooftops were filled with water tanks.
Chrysler Building, Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and LaGuardia Airport in the Distance
Brooklyn Suburb, with JFK Airport in the Distance
3 Park Avenue
Stuyvesant Town and East River Generating Station
Hunters Point
Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge in the Distance
Flatiron Building amid Buildings in Manhattan
Empire State Building’s Barrier PostsThis looked a lot nicer than Rockefeller Center’s simple retractable belts.
Empire State Building InteriorI thought these areas were for tenants, which because of it’s a Sunday, weren’t any.
Crane Operating in Manhattan
Then it’s lunch time.
Since I only gobbled a few pieces of leftover bread for breakfast, and my friend belongs to an alien species that don’t need breakfast, we were quite hungry at that time. Then, my friend located a fast-food restaurant on his Google Maps, that still served “lunch specials” at 2pm.
My Lunch: Chicken RiceA side note about this lunch was that, on the credit card receipt for me to sign, I found “tip: 0” already typed onto it. I guessed the most possible explanation for this scenario is that the restaurant owner bought the whole credit POS off-the-shelf, while realizing that people don’t tip in fast-food restaurants.Also, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised finding all the knives and forks made out of disposable plastic, so that they don’t need to hire dish washers.
Our plan after lunch was to take the 3pm Circle Line Sightseeing Landmark Cruise, which didn’t leave us a lot of time since we decided to walk to the piers.
Madison Square Garden StadiumsI hate basketball, I was more interested in the Pennsylvania Train Station underneath it. However, I must rushed to the Circle Line Sightseeing tours, which meant I didn’t have time to pay the train station a visit.
Betz Pavilion
United States Postal Service Building
Constructions at Manhattan West, 9th Avenue
404NYCThis building looked a lot nicer with whole glass cover.
Construction at Hudson YardsI thought the orange nets made the building somewhat artistic, as I was amazed at how beautiful constructions can be. With a little bit decoration, it looked more like a modern art zone than a construction site.
Construction at Hudson Yards
Construction at Hudson YardsAgain, the orange safety nets and support beams made the whole building looked masculine, rather than repulsive as with most construction sites.
Jacob K. Javits Convention CenterThe glass structure looked harmonious against the blue sky.
Silver Towers from 11th Street
With our hastened pace, we made it to the Circle Line piers, with just minutes to spare.
Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Ship at New York’s HarborWith Concord and Intrepid Museum in the foreground.
The whole landmark cruise should last 90 minutes, taking visitors down the Hudson River, near Lady Liberty, then up East River while turning back at near Stuyvesant Town.
It turned out that selfie stick was pretty useful on such a cruise, if you don’t want other people’s head to be in your photos.
Manhattan Ventilation Tower for Lincoln Tunnel
Empire State Building in the Distance
Construction at Hudson Yards
Chelsea PiersOne could see the nets surrounding a tiny golf course.
Ships Passing before Chelsea Piers
Sailboat in Hudson River
Sailboat in Hudson River
On our ship, we had an old gentleman explaining all the sites and attractions around us. Since we were going down the Hudson River, I found him particularly interested in the story of US Airways A320 crash landing in the river as he repeated it over and over again.
Hoboken Train Terminal
Pier 45 Park
Holland Tunnel Ventilation Tower and East Jersey City
Holland Tunnel Ventilation Tower
Crystal Point Condos among other Buildings in East Jersey City
One World Trade Center among Buildings in Lower Manhattan
One World Trade Center among Buildings in Lower Manhattan
Sailboat in Hudson River
One World Trade Center among Buildings in Lower Manhattan
Sailboat before Central Railway of New Jersey Terminal
Goldman Sachs Tower
Ellis Island
Ellis Island
Gulls Flying By
Gulls Flying By
Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
Since it’s the longest tour offered by Circle Line, the Statue of Liberty was included in the tour, as our ship paused for a while before Liberty Island. Judging by their eagerness, I guess most of the visitors on the ship hadn’t been to Liberty Island.
Old Fireboat Taking Tourists
Lower Manhattan
Castle Williams
Governors Island
Brooklyn with its Piers
Lower Manhattan with Ship Dock
Tour Boat Passing before Staten Island Ferry Dock
Lower Manhattan with Ship Dock
Bank Buildings in East Lower Manhattan
Brooklyn with Piers
Brooklyn Bridge
The Peking Parked at Pier 16It was one of the last generation of windjammers used in the nitrate trade and wheat trade around the often treacherous Cape Horn.
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
East River Ferry before Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
Manhattan Bridge
Sailboat Passing By
Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan
Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan
Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge
Con Ed Power Plant
Pier 36 before Lower Manhattan
Approaching Williamsburg Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge
Passing under Williamsburg Bridge
People Exercising in East River Greenway
One North Fourth among other Buildings along East River
Seaplane Taking Off against Greenpoint
East River Generating Station
East River Generating Station
United Nations, among other Buildings in Midtown Manhattan East
Midtown Manhattan East
Upon seeing the United Nations Building, our boat made a U-turn and headed back.
Queensboro Bridge in the Distance
One World Trade Center behind Stuyvesant Town
Tourboat before Williamsburg Bridge
Queen of Hearts Boat Parked at Pier 36
Manhattan Bridge
One World Trade Center, Manhattan Municipal Building among other Buildings in Lower Manhattan
Tip of Manhattan Municipal Building among other Buildings in Lower Manhattan
Brooklyn Bridge and Tip of One World Trade Center
Constructions Going next to Pier 16Again, I liked the bright orange nets.
Wall Street
Helicopter Launch Pad by South Street
Staten Island Ferry
One World Trade Center among Buildings in Lower Manhattan
Buildings and World Financial Center Ferry Station in Lower Manhattan
One World Trade Center among Buildings in Lower Manhattan
Sailboat in Hudson River
Borough of Manhattan Community College among Buildings in Lower Manhattan
Pier 40 at Hudson River ParkIt is a parking garage, sports facility, and former marine terminal.
Water Splashed
Empire State Building behind Midtown Manhattan
Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Ship Passing By
This was the ship that we saw previously at the pier. There was quite some excitement on both ships as we passed each other.
Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Ship Passing By
Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Ship Passing By
The Atelier Condo and other Buildings by Hudson River
There was some contention for pier space at the moment, as our ship waited for another ship to come out of the piers, resulting in a 15-minute delay.
Circle Line Sightseeing Ships at the Pier
Interpid Aircraft Carrier
Interpid Aircraft Carrier
The Interpid Aircraft Carrier has been transformed into a museum. But with a little bit more than an hour till its closing time, we didn’t visit it. I visited it two weeks later, and spent nearly half a day there.
So with 6 hours to kill before our 11-pm bus back to Ithaca, we decided to visit some more places. Since New York’s Central Park doesn’t have an opening hours, we decided on that. And since my friend would love to explore the streets of New York, we decided to make our way on foot to the Central Park.
West 46 Street
Empire Connection Railroads
Intersection of West 46 Street and 10th Avenue
We walked across a region called Hell’s Kitchen, which featured low 6-story buildings. It felt as if time has flown back 50 years.
McDonald’s with HistoryThis is the McDonald’s where we had dinner. Under my friend’s hint, I realized how old its signs were. But anyway, it’s still a functioning restaurant.
Intersection of West 53 Street and 9th Avenue
Joan Weill Center for Dance on West 55 Street and 9th AvenuePerhaps the most modern building we have seen in Hell’s Kitchen.
Intersection of West 56 Street and 9th Avenue
One Columbus Place on 9th AvenueThat’s the end of tiny 6-story buildings of Hell’s Kitchen.
Time Warner Center Entrance
Buildings near Columbus Center
Time Warner Center
Statue of Columbus
Statue of Columbus before Time Warner Center
Top of USS Maine National Monument
Birds Sitting on Sculpture of USS Maine National Monument
I knew that New York’s Central Park was famous for its joggers and bikers. But since it’s the summer of 2016, I can safely add Pokemon hunters to the list.
Kids Playground in Central Park
Kids Playground in Central Park
Baseball Match in Central Park
As expected, my legs were aching at the moment from the day’s walk, so my friend and I sat down and watch two innings of this local baseball game in Central Park, although he was more interested in Hearthstone than actual sports.
Baseball Match in Central Park
Buildings Seen in Central Park
Then we wandered into Sheep Meadow, and joined the locals by lying on the grass idly watching the skies, while resting my legs at the same time.
That was really soft and comfortable grass I shall say.
Sky Decorated with Clouds
432 Park Avenue Building above Trees
Plane Flying over Central Park
Helicopter Flying over Central Park
Sheep Meadow
Having rested enough, we walked on.
Squirrel in Central Park
Central Park seemed like a haven for such little cute creatures. They looked especially lovely when chewing things.
Bethesda Fountain
The San Remo behind Central Park Lake
Bow Bridge
Boats in Central Park Lake
Boats in Central Park Lake
The San Remo behind Central Park Lake
Trails in Central Park
Trails in Central Park
Trails in Central Park
Music Festival in Delacorte Theater
Trails in Central Park
Lawn in Central Park
Trail and Playground in Central Park
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir and New York’s Upper East Side
Trail along Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
Ducks at Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
The Eldorado behind Trees
Central Park Lawn
The Eldorado
Rooftop of 353 Central Park West
That was two and a half hour before our bus’s departure time. My friend found that the campus of Columbia University wasn’t far away, so we made it our last stop of the day.
Intersection of Columbus Avenue and West 96th Street
Buildings alone Columbus Avenue
Buildings alone West 100 Street
Intersection of Columbus Avenue and West 106 Street
Side Chapel of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
Peace FountainThe fountain was created to mark the 200th anniversary of the Diocese of New York. It depicts the Archangel Michael embracing one of nine giraffes after his defeat of Satan. There is also a lion lying down with a lamb. The fountain’s spiraling base represents a double-helix of DNA.
Doors of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
Broadway and West 113 Street
Broadway Presbyterian ChurchI guess the rainbow lighting stands for it inclusiveness, or its manipulation at Christian decree.
Lerner HallAgain, the steel beams made the whole building looked very industrial.
Falun Dafa Banners at Lerner Hall
John Jay Hall
Butler Library
Low Memorial Library
Columns of Columbia University Low Memorial Library
Butler Library and Columbia University Central Campus
St. Paul’s Chapel of Columbia University
Columbia Business School
The campus of Columbia University is so small that we bascially roamed every corner of the university, together with Barnard College in about 20 minutes.
Barnard College Entrance
Greek Games Statue of Barnard College
Barnard College Campus
Architecture Department Building of Barnard College
Chandler Hall of Columbia University
Railrider’s ThroneWith such a design, artist Michelle Greene introduced humor into the station trying to make the subway a pleasant and hospitable place.It could be a piece of art for appreciation, but sitting on it definitely didn’t feel like a throne.
This time, the most important subway ride of the weekend, we two took extra care and made sure we were on the right train. Also, we left time as ample as a full hour as buffer in case anything went wrong.
Buildings near Times Square
Soaring New York Times Building
New York Times Building Entrance
Police Vehicles across Port Authority Bus Terminal
8th Avenue between New York Times Building and Port Authority Bus Terminal
Port Authority Bus Terminal Interior
Bus Ride back to Ithaca
But this wasn’t the end of the weekend trip. We heard a strange noise coming from the wheels when our bus was travelling through Liberty New York. After several phone calls with the company dispatcher and a visit to the local garage, our driver determined that we couldn’t make it to Ithaca with our bus, and insisted we change bus at the local CoachUSA Station. Thank God we arrived back to Cornell Campus safe and sound. I shall say what a phenomenal end to an eventful weekend.
END
Weekend Trip to New York City, Day 2 on July 24th, 2016 by Huang's Site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.