One day in the Big Apple

Upper Westside Streets
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Does one day give enough time to explore New York City? The short answer is no. But if you have only one day to get a taste of what you are missing by traveling or living anywhere else, why not? This is what I told myself when yet again, peer pressuring my family into heading into New York City for just a day.

I planned the trip on the Trenton Local train to Trenton (then take train connection to Penn Station), figuring we should really only see one new attraction in addition to our favorite standbys: walking in Central Park, eating too much at Artie Deli, and heading to a bar in the Village.

In Central Park
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We headed straight to Artie's Deli where we mostly ordered Ruebens. I was in the mood for potato pancakes, crispy, salty, little cakes that you can dip in applesauce. Yum. Then off to Central Park to visit Strawberry Fields and the Imagine plaque on the ground clad in flowers. (first time that I saw it).We then took a break and sat on the ground to watch the runners and strollers go by. Once we left and headed toward the subway to go to The Cloisers Museum, I realized I lost my camera. (Not a shock to anyone who knows me. I'm surprised it took me only an hour in New York to lose something!) I then joined the runners and headed back to our old spot to find it. It was there (yay!) right next to a couple talking on the grass.

The Cloisters
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We then headed on the Subway to the Cloisters Museum, an extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. My art history teacher told me about this eons ago and I always wanted to check it out. You have to take the subway to 190th street to get there, but it's worth it. Located in Fort Tyron park, the museum is up on a hill overlooking the Hudson River, and was created to house art from Medieval Europe in the Romanesque and Gothic periods. With gardens, benches, and great views, we felt like we were in the middle of Italy, not in the middle of New York City.

Hudson River View from Fort Tyron Park
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After spending a few peaceful hours, we headed back on the subway to go to the Village for dinner and some drinks.

We neglected to find out what time the last train headed back home, so we spend several hours at Penn Station. Not recommeneded!