Butter, Brooklyn and Broadway -- Day Three

Day 3 Summary - Son walks very fast, intentionally trying to lose parents

Y'all better brace yourselves, because today is the most New York day of all the days we have spent in New York.  Let's start with breakfast.  I mention that we should really have authentic bagels while we're in New York.  The boy approves bagels from Murray's, and my dear sweet husband, love of my life, he with the injured knee, walks six blocks, in the snow, uphill both ways, to bring us back delicious bagel breakfast sandwiches.  We are off to a good start.  [After this was originally posted, an important correction was requested by the husband, and I quote: Love the blog post dear heart- but just to set the record straight the bagel delivery racked up 20 blocks round trip. Next time your wife says "it's just down the street" ask to see the map.]

First on the agenda today is the Frick Collection, one of the boy's favorite museums.  On Sunday, it's pay what you wish from 11:00 to 1:00, so we have time to walk through a different part of Central Park on the way.  The boy knows where he's going, so we meander along behind him.  Music is everywhere -- some are organized, planned performances but there are a lot of itinerant musicians out there.  My favorite is the woman on accordion.  My favorite WAS going to be this group that sounded fantastic when I thought they were all acapella, but then I realized they were singing with a track.  

Before crossing over to the museum, we end up in the center of the park at Bethesda Fountain and Terrace.  Photo op! The boy hates being photographed, but we love it!  We think we still look young and hip and in love. Hahahahahaha.  Please don't miss the perfect positioning of the pigeon on top of the angel.

Reaching the Frick, we realize that the artwork inside is only part of the museum.  The house itself is a work of art.  Built during the Gilded Age by Henry Clay Frick, the house was designed to actually be a museum after his death, so it is almost unchanged since the time Frick lived here.  

In the center of the home is a beautiful courtyard, where on selected Sunday afternoons materials are provided for sketching.  Today is such a day.

Are you following here?  Bagels, Central Park, museum, sketching in the museum courtyard.  We are so New York today.

Lunch!  I mean brunch!  Tavern on the Green!  Well, here's the deal.  The thought and experience of eating at Tavern on the Green was far better than actually eating at Tavern on the Green.  They were out of our first choice, and there were definitely issues with some of our order.  If I were to go back for brunch, and I probably wouldn't, I would not go with the prix fixe menu.  Just not worth it.  And I would definitely select a different entree.  But the most likely scenario, should I ever return, would be to try dinner.  But all was not in vain, as I did leave with a cool Tavern on the Green mug and apron. 

Back to the hotel to rest because tonight we are going to be oh so touristy and go to the Empire State Building to watch the sun set.  

The Empire State Building is about three blocks from our hotel, and we set off about 7:00.  We have express tickets to bypass the line, but here's a little tip for you if you decide to do that. Stop at the information desk and ask how it works, and then EVERY EMPLOYEE you see show them you have an express pass.  There are NO signs or directions and if you don't ask, you will end up in line with the unwashed masses.  It took us a bit to figure this out, but we basically had escorted service once we asked someone.

That is where the magic ended.  Once on the observation deck, you're on your own.  With the unwashed masses. Hundreds, nay, thousands of people!  Is there no limit to what the deck can hold?  Apparently not, because more and more people are crowding in.  It is impossible to move, let alone take in the view or take pictures.  You have to be very alert in order to grab a place next to the rail when someone vacates it.  

Here's another thing.  It is not romantic at all.  Maybe if we were there at midnight?  Is that when it's romantic?  We are too old to find out.  We are glad we went, and glad we got an obligatory tourist picture.  But we are one and done for the Empire State Building.  

And that, folks, is our three perfect days in New York.  We will return.  Once the boy has recovered sufficiently from this visit.