New York, NY

Big Day!  Big Day indeed!

We all packed into the breakfast space at the hotel before heading off for a day's adventure in Manhattan at 10am.  We all walked up to Wall Street, not far from the hotel, and then past the New York Stock Exchange to Trinity Church.  We stuck our head inside this ornate church, as well as toured the cemetery, where we saw the grave of Alexander Hamilton. two blocks, and one tourist store, south is the Charging Bull statue in Bowling Green.  We, like every tourist on the planet is seemed, lined up to take a photo.  Not sure why I hadn't been here on 2 previous visits, but it was funny watching people pose with the bull, and we got a great family photo.

Trinity Cuurch from Wall Street, New York, NY

JKLMBL&D, Charging Bull, New York, NY

We then walked the half dozen blocks up Greenwich Street to the 9/11 Memorial Pools.  Such a somber place.  This is a tragedy that still affects many people, and you can see this in the respect of all the visitors, as the air is tense, and people mostly look in silence or hushed tones.  We saw the names of those lost on that terrible day, and noticed some had white roses placed with them.  I learned that this was done daily and the white roses were for those who should have been celebrating a birthday.  I do find it both eerie and triumphant that this memorial sits in the shadow of the since built One World Trade Center.  Taller than all, this landmark sticks out everywhere in Manhattan, and serves also as a reminder of the overcoming spirit of that fateful 2001 day.

One World Trade Center & 9/11 Memorial, New York, NY

LMBL, Oculus, New York, NY

Just west of the area is the Battery Park City Ferry Terminal.  We jump on for the half hour ride down to Staten Island.  Along the way we take in the views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (time meant we didn't go over and spend time on the island), as well as Manhattan at the back of the boat.

The stop in Staten Island is at a near empty mall, where we stopped at Shake Shack and had lunch.  K & L took the Staten Island Ferry back to the hotel, while the rest of us jumped back on the ferry all the way up to Pier 76, where we got out and wandered back to the city.  The ferry dropped us off right near the convention center, which was packed with Comic Con conventioneers all dressed up.  Great people watching.  A quick stop at Russ & Daughters for a bagel and to watch a protest almost get out of hand outside Black Rock Investments (Israeli / Palestinian tensions on the rise), before continuing to head west along 34th Street.  J, M & L left us at Penn St Station to head back to the hotel.  A,B&I continued down to see the Empire State Building.  I wanted to see the Flat Iron Building, so we walked down there, only for it to be covered in scaffolding.  Fortunately right behind the building is a Harry Potter store, so B was in his element.  He basically dumped his stuff on us and then disappeared in a Tasmanian Devil-like whirl into the store.  A&I did our best to keep up with him, though it was tough.

DM&B, Empire State Building, New York, NY

B, Harry Potter Store, New York, NY

A quick cab ride back to the hotel, just to ramp up the adrenaline before we wanted to rest before our night out.  

At 5pm we met JKLM in the lobby for our journey back up to the theater district to go and see Back To The Future.  Slices of pizza outside the theater constituted dinner and after a taste of close to Times Square we were in our seats.

The show was a blast.  Very true to the movie.  Probably not what we would've picked had we not had kids with us, but still, everyone was having a great time and I'm glad we picked it (though I was hoping for The Outsiders).

Afterwards we walked down into Times Square so the kids could experience that for the first time.  I love it.  Tons of people everywhere, so much visual stimulation.  It got a bit much for the kids, and that edge was pushed when some "religious" nut started screaming in the face of L&M.  We got out of there and headed back to the hotel via the subway.  One dickhead put a black mark on an excellent day.

Outside Winter Garden Theater, New York, NY

DLB&M, Times Square, New York, NY

Rebel, New York, NY