New York City Trip

In August we went on a trip to New York City. On the way up we visited Washington Crossing State Park in New Jersey which is where Washington crossed the Deleware. We also drove through Princeton which is absolutely beautiful and what I would consider the stereotypical New England look - the houses were amazing. Then we headed off to Jersey City, where we stayed, and took the train in the next morning into the city. The first day we went to the Natural History Museum and saw the dinosaur bones. Then we went and had a picnic lunch at Central Park. (Too bad I didn't get a picture there - it was beautiful). Then we headed off to the FAO Schwartz toy store. They boys (and Steve) loved that. They had some great Lego displays. Before I forget on the way there we ate at a street vendor cart that had the BEST gyro sandwiches. We saw someone eating them on the street and asked where they got them. I guess he is one of the top rated street vendors in the city (yes, they have awards for that). In case you're in NYC - it is at 62nd and Madison. Yummy! Then we walked back through Times Square and the theater/broadway district. It was very crowded, but we can say we saw that. The lighted billboards really are huge! Then after being exhausted after that day of hauling three kids around we set off again the next morning. We started the day with a ride on the Staten Island ferry to get a view of the Statue of Liberty. I think that was Josh's favorite thing the whole trip. On the way back we went through the financial district and Wall Street/New York Stock Exchange. Then the last thing we did that day was hike (our feet were so tired after that) up to the Italian district (Little Italy). We had a nice lunch there that was pretty yummy. The kids ate gelato on the street and made a big mess. Then we were on our way back to the hotel. We called it quits early that day because we were extremely tired! (Ben decided to scream for a couple of hours in the hotel room the first night). The joys of traveling with small children. Oh, an interesting note. Every time on the way into and out of the city we came into the WTC (World Trade Center) stop. That stop at the subway was/is part of the World Trade Center and considered still a remaining part of the buildings/site. It was amazing to see how huge the empty space (where they're doing construction now) is and where the buildings were. That must have been such a horrible experience to be there. Well, on an up note, we had a fun time in the Big Apple. Though I think we definitely would not go back until the kids are much older. Better yet Steve and I will have to go some time and eat in a nice restaurant and go to a Broadway.