You’d be forgiven for thinking that the best view of the New York skyline would be from atop the Empire State Building. And it is a mega view. But Richard Ayoade on Travel Man suggests there’s an even better view – so Aimee and I booked ourselves on to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for our fourth day in Manhattan…
Before our adventure, we had another typical New York breakfast, this time at the deli across the road from our hotel.
It was reasonably priced for a Times Square deli. I had another salmon bagel and it was decent.
We arrived at the Rockefeller early so had a wander around to Rockefeller Plaza.
This is where you’ll find the massive Norway spruce every Christmas. It’s where Kevin goes at the end of Home Alone 2. It’s the tree that comes down in the final episode of Hawkeye, series 1. Sadly, it was gone by the time we arrived. Note to self – make sure your next visit to New York is during CHRISTMAS.
With our City Passes we were able to skip the queues and get straight in when the place opened at 9am. The lift to the top has a glass ceiling and it makes your ears pop.
It was lovely to be the first ones up there – for a short time we had it all to ourselves. But why is this observation deck better than the Empire State Building?
Because this vista includes the Empire State Building. Behind the Empire State you can see the One World Trade Centre, opened in 2014 and New York’s tallest skyscraper, and in the distance you can just make out the Statue of Liberty herself in the Hudson River.
The Top of the Rock also offers a less obstructed view of Central Park, and from here you can really appreciate how vast it is.
As expected there were some tower viewers and I decided to go full tourist and use one. It cost just 50 cent, but it was awful. I dunno if I just chose a duff one, but my own eyes were better at magnifying the views than this thing. I turned the dials but nothing worked. It’s only 50c, but that half dollar is better kept in your wallet.
After having our fill of views we decided to head back down and the queue to descend was much bigger than the one to ascend.
Eventually we managed to get down and the lift spat us out in a kind of underground shopping mall – not the way we had entered. It was like a warren, with signs that weren’t crystal clear as we attempted to find a Dunkin’ Donuts and the exit.
At one point we wandered into what looked like a movie set, and nobody seemed to bat an eyelid. It was a bit surreal. Finally we found the Dunkin’ Donuts and hangry Aimee was a little happier.
Somehow we managed to order too many doughnuts, so I gave my leftovers to a homeless man cos I am a good guy. Sadly I forgot to film the whole experience, post it on TikTok with uplifting music, go viral and satisfy my own selfish needs for recognition and praise. NEXT TIME THOUGH…
After heading back to the hotel for a nap, we returned to we went back out and ventured down the famous Fifth Avenue.
Unlike Manchester’s former Fifth Avenue (RIP), this is not a club open til 3am and serving pizza at closing time. New York’s Fifth avenue is one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world. If shopping is your thing, then this is the place for you – but I travel to see things, not buy things – and the Iceland fiasco had left a big hole in my wallet.
We passed the New York Public Library, featured in the 2004 film The Day After Tomorrow. Always thought it was strange that in a film where a huge tsunami strikes New York City, the protagonists seek shelter in a building no more than four storeys high.
Anyway, we were heading down Fifth Avenue to see the Flatiron Building, the recognisable triangular shaped building on the junction with 23rd Street. We were a little disappointed when we got there.
The whole thing was covered in scaffolding. Alas.
Also, the entire Flatiron Public Plaza was swarming with people and emergency services.
There were fire engines everywhere but we couldn’t see any smoke, nor could we hear any fire alarms. Nobody seemed to know what was going on and I didn’t want to ask cos I’m a shy Englishman.
Aimee had wanted a picture with the Flatiron, so here it is, featuring scaffolding and fire trucks.
Just behind the Flatiron Building you’ll find the Harry Potter New York store so of course I went inside.
It was very much like the gift shop at Warner Bros. Studios near London, with wands and robes and scarves and chocolate frogs for sale. Aimee asked me what team I belonged to… What “team”…?
Aimee isn’t into Harry Potter. Can you tell?
With Robbie Coltrane’s sad passing last year, we had some big shoes to fill…
Here’s Aimee browsing her next mode of transport…
We bought ourselves some butterbeers which were $12 EACH in a souvenir mug. Butterbeer is incredibly sweet and I’ve had it before and it was nice but this one was too sickly. I hadn’t wanted souvenir mugs but that’s what we were given so that’s what I sheepishly paid, plus bloody tip. Americans and their bloody tips. We poured most of our drinks away but you’d be mad to think I wasn’t keeping the souvenir mugs.
We continued exploring and eventually arrived at Washington Square Park, where a charity lady tried to make me sign up to helps kids with autism. I asked her if it matters that I live in England and she let me go.
Around the corner on the junction of Bleecker Street and 6th Avenue we found another Joe’s Pizza.
Now this IS the one where Spider-Man works in Spider-Man 2. Again, the pizza was out of this world. We ate outside and had to keep an eye on a really suspicious guy who kept milling around behind me. I don’t know if he was waiting to see if I used the ATM or was waiting to see if I let my guard down, but I like to think my 5’10’’ slightly chubby frame was well intimidating.
After pizza we jumped on the Metro and headed back to the hotel, in preparation for yet another early rise the next morning. Lady Liberty awaits…
#VidOnTour 