Day 8 - Last Day in NYC

Today, our final full day in NYC was a fitting finale to what has been a wonderful week.

Had the usual breakfast at Cosmic Diner, where we are now regulars and have been granted local status and a premium table.

Cosmic Diner - Scene of some great breakfasts

A healthy start to the day

A quick ride downtown was highlighted by the girls teaching an American woman how to buy tickets and use the subway.  That's right - two girls from Captains Flat showing the locals how its done. I think the circle is complete !!

We walked to our destination at 14th St and found a great Diner (mainly because we needed somewhere to use the bathroom).  Our waitress was Mary, and she was really chatty, telling us about her mother in law's trips to Australia and how she was in love with Russell Crowe, and had actually sought out where he lived in Sydney and had practically stalked him.  We learned about the price of rent in New York, particularly in fashionable Chelsea (Sex & The City territory) where the diner was located, and in Harlem where she was from.  She was originally from Dominica, had been back for a visit but could no longer see herself living there.  She was happy in her rent controlled apartment, but would love to visit Australia one day.  We left her a big tip before heading to "Walk the Line".

The Walk the Line - revitalised railway tracks

Part of Walk the Line

Fashionable Chelsea Townhouse

Walk the Line is a disused and reborn railway line - the type set on pylons above the streets.  The line has not been used for over 70 years, and rather than tear it down and build on the land, a group of citizens banded together to form a co-operative, sourced private funding, and turned the disused railway into park lands and walkways.  The result is stunning and a credit to the group who fought to retain the line.  It is well designed, and a pleasure to walk, with lovely gardens elevated on the tracks, seating areas and chill out spaces.  It shows what can be done in the midst of urban chaos to create great spaces.  City of Sydney please take note. We had a great time, and would rate this a a MUST DO for any visitors.

The girls relax on a chill-out bench

Another long walk took us to some "interesting" and "out there" galleries, where we decided that we must really be bogans, as the art did nothing at all for us - in fact we found it rather crass and uninspiring, but the experience was worthwhile. 

We were very interested to visit the Museum of FIT - Fashion Institute of Technology - where an exhibit of His & Hers garments from the 18th Century to present was on display. Got some good photos of the exhibits. 

Fashion Displays at the FIT

Our first New York Hot Dog

The the girls then  partook of a  little retail therapy, before finding a great steak to round out our New York experience.  It was one of the last things on our list that had remained unchecked, and we found a beauty.  Heartland Brewery on 42nd Street offered great steaks, Aussie wine (Rosemount), great hospitality, and was the perfect wrap up to our visit to New York. 

We have found the city a very exciting place to visit - great people who have gone out of their way to be friendly and helpful, fabulous food and wines, and sights that only this city can offer.

Times Square on Tuesday afternnon at 5:00pm

Last drinks at the West End Bar

We will leave New York tomorrow with a tinge of sadness but excitement at what lies ahead.  It is unlikely that we will be back, thought there has been some suggestion of a return visit. If we don't get back, then we leave with the knowledge that we have done New York properly.

We have seen the fabled top ten and then some:
Central Park
Helicopter ride over New York
Shopping at Macys
Ridden the NY subway
Eaten in diners and restaurants
Walked the Brooklyn Bridge (ice cream & pizza in Brooklyn included)
Seen a Broadway Show
Been to the Top of The Rock (Rockerfeller Centre)
Cruised the Harbour
Walked the High Line
Visited several Museums and Galleries
Seen the Lincoln Center
Taken in the river views
Seen Madison Square Garden
Visited Grand Central Station
Lunched at China Town
Walked through Chelsea
Seen Sacks department store
Meandered through Times Square on a number of occasions
Seen the Statue of Liberty
Visited Ground Zero
Seen Staten Island
Become regulars at the best pub in New York.

Can't believe that we have done all that in a week.  Weary and with a little less shoe leather, we will sign off from New York.  We have other fields to conquer.

We Have Done New York.