Thanks for the report. We've been debating a return to NYC. A lot will depend on our rapidly filling COVID catch up dance card. (Are we THAT old?)
There's nothing wrong with doing touristy stuff. People do it for a reason. The subways sound more or less unchanged. In the 1960s, the debate was whether the system was going to hell or had already gotten there. I'll never forget the first time I stepped into an air conditioned car. I had expected descent to the next circle of hell as per usual, but, instead, it was pleasant inside.
It sounds like the museums are still as great as ever, but the real treat of the city is just walking around, that and shopping. So few Americans live somewhere that let's them just step outside and walk around. I suppose your kids are going through that "embarrassed" stage given your comments on their conservative food tastes and discomfort with nude statues. I followed your blog for years, so thanks for the age update. I guess I'm getting older, too.
Funny schedule, as I went there for the first time literally a week before you did.
I find it is very much a big city, which is great if you like big cities (like me). I didn't end up going to a lot of places. The only ones of note were the 9/11 museum and the American Museum of Natural History (where I did not even know of the blue whale and did not spend enough time with dinosaurs). I was mostly there to meet some internet friends, and we ended up walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and barhopped a couple nights.
As for the subway, it was fine. It works. I agree with all the complaints though. Currently my rankings are Hong Kong and Tokyo, then Taipei, then a huge gap, then Vancouver, then another gap, then Toronto and New York. Although one could say that Vancouver's isn't exactly a "sub"way.
Thanks for the report. We've been debating a return to NYC. A lot will depend on our rapidly filling COVID catch up dance card. (Are we THAT old?)
There's nothing wrong with doing touristy stuff. People do it for a reason. The subways sound more or less unchanged. In the 1960s, the debate was whether the system was going to hell or had already gotten there. I'll never forget the first time I stepped into an air conditioned car. I had expected descent to the next circle of hell as per usual, but, instead, it was pleasant inside.
It sounds like the museums are still as great as ever, but the real treat of the city is just walking around, that and shopping. So few Americans live somewhere that let's them just step outside and walk around. I suppose your kids are going through that "embarrassed" stage given your comments on their conservative food tastes and discomfort with nude statues. I followed your blog for years, so thanks for the age update. I guess I'm getting older, too.
Funny schedule, as I went there for the first time literally a week before you did.
I find it is very much a big city, which is great if you like big cities (like me). I didn't end up going to a lot of places. The only ones of note were the 9/11 museum and the American Museum of Natural History (where I did not even know of the blue whale and did not spend enough time with dinosaurs). I was mostly there to meet some internet friends, and we ended up walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and barhopped a couple nights.
As for the subway, it was fine. It works. I agree with all the complaints though. Currently my rankings are Hong Kong and Tokyo, then Taipei, then a huge gap, then Vancouver, then another gap, then Toronto and New York. Although one could say that Vancouver's isn't exactly a "sub"way.