Amazing what you can do and see in NYC in a short two days.  I love it when I can combine seeing friends and relatives with new adventures.  So, seeing my lovely niece in New York was a boon.  I started with a bit of a train adventure taking the Amtrak from Philly to NYC.  Arriving before noon on Friday gave me a little time to explore before dinner.  Where to begin?

I decided on a a self-guided walking architectural tour.  Heading East, I started with Radio City Music Hall, past Rockefeller Plaza and then down the street to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.   A few blocks South and hello Grand Central Station.  Lastly, as I headed back to the hotel I wandered into the beautiful and not to be missed Public Library.  Up next, dinner at the Central Park Boathouse.  What an amazing view!  A bit pricey for dinner, but the food, view and company made this more than worth it.

Saturday morning dawned with a lovely day for a visit to Lady Liberty and her neighbor Ellis Island.  She looks so much smaller when viewed from Manhatten.  As the ferry approached Liberty Island,  I was mesmerized by the beauty of her patina and the freedom for which she stands.  I can only imagine how the weary immigrants must have felt upon seeing her.  Awe, fear, hope, relief?  I felt pride and an unexpected pang of gratitude for the French who sent her our way.

Back to Manhatten and Times Square for a Broadway show.  As a lover of musicals, I was beyond excited to see “An American in Paris”.  I was not disappointed.  I felt like I had been to a musical and a ballet all rolled into one.  The evening ended on a happy note with a couple of slices of NY pizza and a discussion of the show with my niece.

Sunday came much too fast, but there was still time to wander through Central Park and avail ourselves of the many talented performers scattered about the lanes as we headed to the Guggenheim Art Museum.  The Guggenheim  itself is a wonder from the mind of Frank Lloyd Wright.  As with all museums of this type, the traveling exhibits combined with the permanent exhibits create a unique experience each time you visit.

Time to work my way back to Penn Station, but not before having a little scoop of gelato from the vendor outside the museum.  This was probably the best Gelato I’ve had since Italy.  What an amazing 48 hours!