NYC and Washington: Don’t dream
… go there! Well, it is hardly all said about NYC, but after ten years since my last stay there, I felt “new” in NYC.
The #oneworldobservatory is a good start to get an overview – go to video “From 0 to 500 in 50 seconds” from the elevator – and a glimps of how big that city is – but surprisingly – you can barely walk everywhere and let yourself flow around. Except realising my “I-have-to-be-there-once” dream to go to Coney Island is better you use the subway. I made it there by 5 pm and everything closes by time, so it was quite like in the movie “Warriors” from the 70s, where the gangs rushed through the city to have their show down around the Wonder Wheel. With some fries from Nathans I walked the beach and didn’t feel NYC, but I felt a very special atmosphere that I hardly can discribe as “alone and free”. Back into town, I knew I am not allone. Millions of tourists strolling to find the best shops, cafes, restaurants, theaters, …
Two years ago, I bought a book “New York Art” and it contains many pictures and sculptures you can see in the divers museums in NY. One that was mentioned and I did not know yet (nether did my friends) is “The Frick Collection“. The neoclassical Villa from Henry Clay Frick, an industrialist (+ most hated man in America) and art collector of old masters. The Villa itself and its atmosphere is worth a visit. Plus when you see the paintings you can not close your mouth again.
The 9/11 Memorial – it is expensive to see only “one side” of the story. To me it is too much pathos, emotionalism.
Back to the city itself: Do you also have the feeling that you have to visit places again for example restaurants you have been years ago? Well, I did in NYC and it is like meeting an old love, most of the time you better just keep the impression you had. The Brooklyn Diner is an example like that. Years ago, I had breakfast there and Paul McCartney was sitting next to me – that only can happen in NY. But when I came back this time there was no McCartney, even it is still nice to sit there, but at least when you look at the bill you realise – well, there are other places to go. One could be EJ’s Luncheonette on 1271 3rd Ave. It is pure NYC!
The Highline is a chance to walk dreaming through NYC without being run over by a car. You get stunning views into the street canyons. At the end, you find the New Whitney Museum which is now open. For contemporary art lovers a must. Right at the corner is a cool bar and restaurant with home made lemonade and a mouth watering cookie “shop” on the far end. From there it is an easy walk through the quarter to end at Union Square.
The Central Park – “imagine” John Lennon would be still walking through it. Go for brunch to the Boat House. It is not as expensive as the well dressed waiters might suggest. As I was there we got an extra spectacle. A couple wanted to rent a boat, but somehow both ended up in the pond. Poor two: they lost their wallet and phone. So be careful. At Columbus Circle there is an cubus which contains the Museum of Arts & Design – have a look.
Shopping is strongly recommended, but I would rather look at the smaller shops aside from the 5th. But Bloomingdales is worth going cause of the ice cream and lunch “box” on the 5th floor. You even get the classical NY Cheese Cake there without getting bankrupt. To let all the left home be a part of your trip, almost everywhere is free Wifi available, even in the Subway.
Washington
By train Washington is just about 3 hrs away, nothing to see in particular on the journey, but a nice way to travel there. Getting of the train, you enter a totally different city than NYC. The houses are just as high as the width of the street infront. The neoclassic buildings look like they have been there for hundreds of years, but 200 years ago there was only swamp and wilderness. Check in at “The Jefferson” or at least have breakfast there. Wonderful, feeling like home – cosy. Just a 10 min walk away from the centre of power (The White House) it is ideal to enter the city.
Did you know that all museums are for free in Washington? I advise the contemporary art gallery, the White House Museum and even stronger the Museum of the American Indian. I was deeply impressed by the honesty that was demonstrated by speaking about the displacement of the native “Americans”. I also recommend to take a 6 hrs. bus tour to get around to all the memorials, because all by your self – you might get lost. Last but not least: breakfast at the Old Ebbitt Grill on 15th Street and lunch/dinner/drinks at the Central 1001 Pennsylvania Ave.
Well – have a go and let me know about your experiences!