Tag Archives: New York City

In Pictures: Christmas In New York

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Seeing New York City all dolled up for Christmas was a bucket list item for me and the city didn’t disappoint. There are signs of the holiday everywhere you look!

There are lights everywhere.

The windows in all the fancy Fifth Avenue stores are elaborately decorated

Here’s another.

There’s a reason why the light show at Saks Fifth Avenue draws a crowd. It is incredible.

The Peninsula, a five star hotel, is beautiful lit up outside but I’ve heard it’s even more so inside. Wonder if they let the riff raff come in to look around?

Probably not.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is magnificent any day of the week but unforgettable during the Christmas season. Tourists are allowed to stand in the back during a service so I was able to walk around some to enjoy the atmosphere. Even with so many people milling about it felt sacred.

And, of course, grandest Christmas decoration of all- the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree!

Everyone should be so fortunate to check off such a fun and festive destination from their bucket list!

Library Lions

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Meet Patience and Fortitude. These fabulous Pink Tennessee Marble Lions have been greeting guests and guarding the New York City Public Library since its dedication in May 1911. The library is a magnificent Beaux Arts building that’s one of the most famous libraries in the world.

These sculptures are among the most photographed pieces of public art in New York and they were on my bucket list when we visited the city.

Located conveniently just a few city blocks from Grand Central Station, we were able to hoof it there for pictures. Sadly, our timing was bad and we missed seeing inside the famed library (that’s ok, we will go back another time). Still, I was overjoyed to meet the pair of famous felines.

Their names changed a few times in the early years. They were originally named for the city library system’s founders John Jacob Aster and James Lenox. They were later called Lady Astor and Lord Lenox.

In the thirties, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia renamed them Patience and Fortitude for the qualities he believed New Yorkers would need to survive the Depression. The names stuck and the rest is history.

They really have stood the test of time as they are more popular than ever. Back in 2019, the lions were professionally cleaned and restored, making them look good as new.

When we were there, several tourists were milling about with their selfie sticks and taking turns photographing their groups with the lions. It was lovely and refreshing to see people so excited about art and a library.

Go if you are in New York. Get your picture with them and be sure to go in for a look see. I’ll make it back for my tour one of these days!

The View From Down Here

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We exited Grand Central Station and started down the street when I turned and looked back. I have a habit of turning to look behind me for a variety of reasons.

One is a bit of paranoia, simply wanting to know what’s happening around me. It’s also a hiking habit. It’s always good to know what the trail looks like from the other direction in case you need to turn back. This habit also comes in handy when exploring new places because the coolest view is often behind you.

This was the view when I turned around at that moment – the building on the left is Grand Central. The tall one is the glorious Art Deco wonder called the Chrysler Building. Completed in 1930, it was briefly the tallest building in the world at 1,046 feet.

This early skyscraper is easy to pick out in the New York skyline. I have never been inside but hope to visit their new observation deck someday. It’s under construction but I’m hopeful for the future.

Have you been inside? Tell me what it’s like!

Grand Central Terminal

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Grand Central Station is one of those New York landmarks that everyone should experience at least once.

Built between 1903 and 1913, it’s a National Historic Landmark located in midtown Manhattan. We have Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to thank for that landmark status as she was influential in the declaration and in saving this incredible building from the wrecking ball in the seventies.

You’ve likely seen it featured on tv shows and movies.

Grand Central covers 48 acres with platforms that serve 43 tracks for passenger train service. There are also a variety of stores, restaurants and event spaces.

Step inside the main concourse and you’ll find a sea of humanity zig zagging every which way. In fact, a staggering 250,000 people commute through this station every single day.

There’s an iconic information booth in the center with a four sided brass clock that I completely forgot to photograph up close.

This space is cavernous and seems even more so when you look up at the fabulous ceiling which features a highly stylized star map.

The experience was even more special this time because it was all decked out for the holiday!

It’s a sight to behold even if you just want to step inside for a minute and look around. We were there to visit Summit One, an observation tower attached to Grand Central. We also had a quick breakfast here and shopped a pop up Christmas market. Stay tuned for more on our trip through Summit.

Here’s one more picture – one of many soldiers we saw.

It was a gentle reminder that not everyone makes it home for the holidays and to be grateful for those who serve our nation.

Broadway Joe’s Pizza

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Our NYC Christmas weekend began with a late dinner at Broadway Joe’s Pizza in the Bronx. My friend’s son is a student at Manhattan College so we met him there for some tasty, fast and cheap food.

The sign says they’ve been around since 1969. In addition to being an affordable hangout for nearby college students, there seemed to be a robust line of takeout and delivery orders moving through the door.

Like a lot of New York businesses, it’s a long narrow space packed with booths and not much else. It glows from the inside out and opening the front door releases a divine aroma into the street.

We opted for pastas and mine was delicious. It was manicotti and garlic bread for me and was well worth the gluten that I’m not supposed to be having. No regrets.

The fellow running the place was friendly. The bathroom was clean enough. In fact, the mere existence of a public restroom at all was a rarity given that most establishments seem to not have restrooms in the Big Apple.

I would absolutely go back but will sample the pizza next time!

Between Seasons In New York

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New York was a city between seasons when I visited earlier this month. Southern Ohio trees shed their leaves several weeks ago so it was shocking to find brilliant pops of gold and bronze amidst the skyscrapers.

It was also beginning to look a lot like Christmas as an abundance of lights, trees and wreaths brighten the streetscape.

Zuccotti Park is located near our hotel in lower Manhattan. My friend and I took a late night stroll and I was delighted to find this spot.

This nearby office lobby tree was even more stunning in person and was even pretty in the daylight.

The tree and menorah at the World Trade Center were meaningful in this quiet spot. We passed by on the way to breakfast and I was pleased to linger for a moment and appreciate the significance.

And all of this was in one small area of the city!