New York Day Trippin

I don't know who Daniel and I thought we were kidding by thinking we would not go in to the city this weekend, we went. Though, this time just for the day. Saturday morning we caught the 8:40 am train into the city and by 10:15 I was sitting down to an almond croissant and coffee at La Maison du Macaron.

A rainbow of macrons

We found this place right around the corner when we stayed at the Hotel Chelsea.  Their display case looks like a painting done in the medium of macrons.  They're big kitchen style tables and couches make it a really cozy place for brunch.  This was my second trip here and neither time have remembered to try the macarons, guess I will just have to got back ...

Daniel and I decided to go for some more affordable entertainment than seeing a show so we spent the morning checking out the The High Line.

A garden in the sky

The High Line is a park located in Chelsea and the Meat Packing district  that was created from the abandoned elevated freight train tracks built in the 30's.  Currently it stretches about a mile long (they plan on opening an additional section in the future), several stories above street level and has some of the most amazing views of the city I've seen.  Oh and completely free!

The whole park has a very organic feel with the walkways giving way to gradens here and there.

The whole park has this overgrown free feeling, expect for a manicured lawn you can stretch out on.  Sadly it was closed due to the heavy rains we had the day before.

Something New

A lot of the seating just sort of rises up from the pavement or the walls.  In addition to benches there are huge lounge chair type structures and bleachers and just places that welcome you to lay out in the sun.

And something old

It appeared that most of the track and railway ties where left in place and just incorporated into the design of the path.

It feels like you are walking around in the clouds.  It was a whole view of the city that I have never had before.  You felt like you were among the buildings instead of below them.

This picture is way more about the view than me

The path runs a block away from the Chelsea Market so we swung by and picked up lunch to have on The High Line.  

If you have never been to the Chelsea Market, think about it is a mall where almost all of the stores are restaurants, bakeries, or food markets.  It is entertaining even if you don't buy anything.

After lunch Daniel and I wandered around Greenwich Village checking out shops.  Several of the streets were closed down and stalls of food and goods set up in a very street market feel.

For a much needed sit we ended up in Washington Square Park and enjoyed some of the street performers.  While the jazz band was good these guys were far more eye catching.

They were acrobats / break dancers of sorts but mainly comedians.  I took a picture of what they called the "helicopter." I think you can kind of tell, one guys is spinning the other one on his head with no hands while walking.  They were so good I didn't even mind handing over some money when they started their "Pay me speech." 

A bit later we meet up with a friend who stage manages in New York for some beers and then called it a day.  We caught the 8:07 home, throughly exhausted, did I mention we walked 10 miles!? Daniel mapped it out after we got home.  Some days i just like being out in the city.

Summary      

Cost:

              Transportation (train & subways)       $18.50 

              Food                                                  $25

              Street Performers                              $5      

             Total                                                  $48.50

                

Time:  13 hours

Average : $3.73 /hr entertainment 

Perks: 

Enjoyed a really great day and caught up with a friend.  And got some exercise did I mention we talked 10 miles !?!  Most of my expense was food which I hear I needed anyway.