NY Day 3 Highline, Brooklyn Bridge and Empire State

With achy feet and reluctant bodies we dragged ourselves out of bed about 8am.  Grandma had a video call with Grandad then we got ourselves sorted and headed out for breakfast at the skylight diner which Sarah had seen was on our way.  Chloe had a fruit topped waffle, Sarah had egg, sausage, potatoes and toast, grandma and I had pancakes.

With navigation left to a very able Sarah we headed for the High line.  It was tonight be a slower walk than yesterday after grandma had twisted her ankle last night and it was a bit swollen this morning.  The highline is part of an old railroad track that has been revitalised as gardens and walkway.  It was really interesting and gave a very different view of the city with lots of interesting buildings to see.  The walk took around about an hour even at our slow pace with lots of stops for photo opportunities.  Leaving at the end of the line we found our way to Chelsea Market where we wandered the shops and stalls.  Lots of quirky and interesting items to look at.

Lots of spices to choose from

So much fish and sushi!  Grandad you would have loved this! 

Shame I wasn't hungry, would have loved to try some chowder or bisque. 

Leaving the market Sarah again did a fab job navigating to the correct metro station to get to Brooklyn.  After topping up our metro card we headed down into the station.  Even grandma seems to be getting a little bit more relaxed on the metro!   Leaving high street station in Brooklyn we headed for the area know as DUMBO, district under Manhattan bridge.  There was a photo opportunity through the bridge to the empire state building.  Once we' done that we headed for the park area by the river.  We had hoped to grab some picnic stuff beore we got there but there was nothing much in the area.  Chloe and I managed to buy some overpriced average food which we ate looking back at the NY skyline.  After a wander around this area we walked back up the hill towards the steps to Brooklyn bridge.  We walked across taking in the skyline and views down the river to the Statue of Liberty.

Both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges are very majestic and impressive in their own ways one of brick and wood, the other of steel.  Very pleasant walk if a little busy at times plus the ding of bicycle bells to remind you to walk to one side!

We brought some souvenirs from some syreet sellers on the bridge.  As we left the bridge I was fascinated watching a man doing spray paintings of the NY skyline. We stood and watched for a few minutes.  By now it was 3pm and our legs were really starting to ache.  Sarah navigated us to Fulton street station and we got another metro back to Penn Station.  We even managed to leave Penn Station on w35th street where our hotel is!  Well done Sarah!

Time for a break, we headed back to the hotel for a couple of hours to give our feet a break.  Chloe has a phone app which says we have walked 17000 steps today so far.  We did 20,000 in total yesterday.

Feeling refreshed we walked to Shake Shack for dinner but it was way too busy so we went instead to Applebees near Times Square.

Feeling very full we walked back to the Empire State Building.  We had deliberately left it til after sunset so we missed the crowds.  It worked perfectly as we walked straight through the lines, straight through security in on into the first lift to the 80th floor.  The lift goes so quickly it counts floors in 10s.  We arrived on the 80th floor in just over 30seconds.  The sight that met us was breathtaking.  It was a clear night and we could see for miles.  After spending some time here we headed to the second set of elevators to the 86th floor which is outdoors.  What we weren'  prepared for was the wind!  It really whistled on that side of the building!  Enough to make me hold my glasses on!  The other 3 sides wee more bearable.  The city was really stunning lit up at night.  We spent a while just standing looking st the view, beautiful.

We returned to the 80th floor, then through the obligatory gift shop and returned to street level.

We grabbed some breakfast snacks for tomorrow morning before heading back to the hotel completely exhausted.  Total steps today 24,000.

Not many photos today, mostly on my camera so will have to wait til I'm home.