New York City – Sargent and the Zoo
Dec 2nd, 2019, 07:40 AM
#21
TD - perhaps it's worth mentioning that the Frick is closing soon for 2 years for a complete renovation. Anyone who wants to see it before the "improvements" should hurry along asap.
https://www.frick.org
https://www.frick.org
Dec 3rd, 2019, 07:25 AM
#26
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Day 4
1 December 2019
Short
Breakfast: Terrazzo; same as yesterday
Lunch: Nespresso coffee (cocoa overtones—very good)
Dinner: Terrazzo Raclette ($24), Pinot Noir (Row Eleven-Calif.) $16 B+++ (see the shot)
Sight: Almost to the Top of the Rock (“ToR”)
Long
Another breakfast repeat. Back at a second table with the plugs but had it to myself. Weather forecast rain in the a.m. so I got myself a cab to the ToR a bit before 9.
Thankfully, having pre-purchased a ticket online, I didn’t have to walk downstairs to buy one. They also let me right in. On the ticket, it was written that one presents it and then sets an entry time. One marching band and a handful of folks were there. Another place to arrive as early as possible.
Walking alert! Get off on 50th St. to get to the entry. There is a bit of walking to get to the elevator for the mezzanine. And then another walk to get to the 2nd elevator. In the elevator, my leg did a funny (ha) shooting shocky pain. Off the elevator and sat on a window ledge feeling almost nauseous with pain. Well darn it (those aren’t the words I said to myself).
There is another higher level, but one can go outside where we are, so I hobbled and got one shot! Very slowly back to the down elevator! And out to 50th St. Passed the skaters but my goal was to go “home”. Naturally, the Up escalator was not working. Luckily a cab was on the spot. We passed a pretty Saks covered with lights on 5th Ave. Driver left me at hotel front door. It was just beginning to drizzle.
The only ToR shot I got:
It is raining gently. Went to room and to the sofa. Oh, and guess what time is was? 10:30 a.m. I used the time to check email, edit photos and catch up on this trip report then napped until 3:00 when the cleaner came in. She is from Moldova (between Ukraine and Romania in case you were wondering) and she hustled as she said she was behind schedule.
Something you probably know is that the same cleaner might not be there each day—especially if holidays or weekends occur during your stay. Leave your tip daily if possible.
At 6, I went back to Terrazzo and re-ordered the raclette. It is much prettier on a wooden tray than in a takeaway box. Also, there was less of it. Am wondering if they just dumped what they had left when I took it to my room.
Melted cheese over fingerling pots; sliced ham, and crusty bread (slightly oiled):
Back to crashville.
Day 5
2 December 2019
Short
Breakfast: 2 Nespresso coffees in the room
Lunch: Cold cappuccino and cookies from the room
Dinner: Adams Ribs platter from local ribs place!
Sight for sore eyes---there’s no place like home.
HINT: The 11:35 regional train originates in NYC so finding an empty seat is MUCH easier!
Long
Farewell Park Terrace!
After seeing Thin’s fashion post, I realized I haven’t mentioned the styles seen here. For women, I saw many short boots, leggings and puffy coats. Jeans! Thin, this morning I saw a woman with a great beige cape with a narrow beige fur (faux?) trim and matching pom pom ties. Hopelessly mundane that I am, I think they are not practical for warmth.
In “get home” mode, I’m awake a 6 and ready to gi by 7. Nice maid left extra coffee and supplies so there was plenty for 2 cups! Leg walkable but I look like the old hobbling women I’ve seen in Italy. They manage hundreds of stairs but I’m still feeling sorry for myself.
At 8, I check out and ask for help with getting a cab. Clerk takes my bags to the cab and I say farewell to the Park Terrace. If you are on a budget, I gotta suggest finding another place. BUT, I loved the service, the foods and the room. Forgot to mention that there were two 3-prong plugs, and one USB one by the left of the bed. A bose speaker also.
Cabby, seeing my limp, got me as close to the overhang at Penn Station as possible. It is raining but not horribly cold. Not experienced enough to say for sure but traffic wasn't awful. My brand new umbrella remains virginal. Once inside the waiting room, I actually packed my coat.
Speaking of coats. I took a longish black cloth one with a good inter-lining. It was plenty warm with a scarf and gloves but could have been about 4 inches shorter as it did drag on some stairs. I stood in coat check lines as it was too warm to wear inside.
At 8:30ish there are more people coming than going! It was a longish walk to Amtrak from 7th Ave. Next time enter at 8th if possible. Is it possible? Took a seat in the waiting area, and continued re-reading Donna Leon's Quietly in Their Sleep. I have the newest Janet Evanovich waiting. On the walk to the waiting room, I pass a store called ‘Tiecoon’—isn’t that clever?
I’m almost 2 hours early once again and the sign for the earlier train shows that it is delayed. Hmmm. It is coming from Boston. I start worrying about not getting a seat and moving too slowly for the folks behind me. I ask the Redcap guy about this and he said, “Stick with me”.
You can’t believe how many bags he piled onto his cart! We who hobbled (and some who did not) were escorted to the train first. IF needed, Redcap will put your bag on the car for you. I asked a guy what he usually tipped for the service and he said $5. I cheerfully gave $20—and told him I could load my own. My arms are OK, just my leg. No one in the car so I could take my time getting settled.
Had cookies and cold cap and read all the way home. Every so often, internet came on so checked emails as well. Oh, it was snowing like made in New Jersey! Ironic to encounter it while travel to the south.
Final notes: If you have scads of money, taking taxi’s is a great way to travel. Those of you who uber or lyft can say if those modes are cheaper.
Subway is faster but there will be stairs. And, you miss the buildings.
Load up your metrocard at the subway stations. Bronx Zoo sold $11.00 tickets. My favorite bartender thought there might be some deli’s selling tickets. Anyone know???
I enjoyed the bus. DO make sure your bus actually stops where you are standing. As far as I know, only metrocard is allowed. No more exact change. Again, someone please confirm.
I
New York!
1 December 2019
Short
Breakfast: Terrazzo; same as yesterday
Lunch: Nespresso coffee (cocoa overtones—very good)
Dinner: Terrazzo Raclette ($24), Pinot Noir (Row Eleven-Calif.) $16 B+++ (see the shot)
Sight: Almost to the Top of the Rock (“ToR”)
Long
Another breakfast repeat. Back at a second table with the plugs but had it to myself. Weather forecast rain in the a.m. so I got myself a cab to the ToR a bit before 9.
Thankfully, having pre-purchased a ticket online, I didn’t have to walk downstairs to buy one. They also let me right in. On the ticket, it was written that one presents it and then sets an entry time. One marching band and a handful of folks were there. Another place to arrive as early as possible.
Walking alert! Get off on 50th St. to get to the entry. There is a bit of walking to get to the elevator for the mezzanine. And then another walk to get to the 2nd elevator. In the elevator, my leg did a funny (ha) shooting shocky pain. Off the elevator and sat on a window ledge feeling almost nauseous with pain. Well darn it (those aren’t the words I said to myself).
There is another higher level, but one can go outside where we are, so I hobbled and got one shot! Very slowly back to the down elevator! And out to 50th St. Passed the skaters but my goal was to go “home”. Naturally, the Up escalator was not working. Luckily a cab was on the spot. We passed a pretty Saks covered with lights on 5th Ave. Driver left me at hotel front door. It was just beginning to drizzle.
The only ToR shot I got:
It is raining gently. Went to room and to the sofa. Oh, and guess what time is was? 10:30 a.m. I used the time to check email, edit photos and catch up on this trip report then napped until 3:00 when the cleaner came in. She is from Moldova (between Ukraine and Romania in case you were wondering) and she hustled as she said she was behind schedule.
Something you probably know is that the same cleaner might not be there each day—especially if holidays or weekends occur during your stay. Leave your tip daily if possible.
At 6, I went back to Terrazzo and re-ordered the raclette. It is much prettier on a wooden tray than in a takeaway box. Also, there was less of it. Am wondering if they just dumped what they had left when I took it to my room.
Melted cheese over fingerling pots; sliced ham, and crusty bread (slightly oiled):
Back to crashville.
Day 5
2 December 2019
Short
Breakfast: 2 Nespresso coffees in the room
Lunch: Cold cappuccino and cookies from the room
Dinner: Adams Ribs platter from local ribs place!
Sight for sore eyes---there’s no place like home.
HINT: The 11:35 regional train originates in NYC so finding an empty seat is MUCH easier!
Long
Farewell Park Terrace!
After seeing Thin’s fashion post, I realized I haven’t mentioned the styles seen here. For women, I saw many short boots, leggings and puffy coats. Jeans! Thin, this morning I saw a woman with a great beige cape with a narrow beige fur (faux?) trim and matching pom pom ties. Hopelessly mundane that I am, I think they are not practical for warmth.
In “get home” mode, I’m awake a 6 and ready to gi by 7. Nice maid left extra coffee and supplies so there was plenty for 2 cups! Leg walkable but I look like the old hobbling women I’ve seen in Italy. They manage hundreds of stairs but I’m still feeling sorry for myself.
At 8, I check out and ask for help with getting a cab. Clerk takes my bags to the cab and I say farewell to the Park Terrace. If you are on a budget, I gotta suggest finding another place. BUT, I loved the service, the foods and the room. Forgot to mention that there were two 3-prong plugs, and one USB one by the left of the bed. A bose speaker also.
Cabby, seeing my limp, got me as close to the overhang at Penn Station as possible. It is raining but not horribly cold. Not experienced enough to say for sure but traffic wasn't awful. My brand new umbrella remains virginal. Once inside the waiting room, I actually packed my coat.
Speaking of coats. I took a longish black cloth one with a good inter-lining. It was plenty warm with a scarf and gloves but could have been about 4 inches shorter as it did drag on some stairs. I stood in coat check lines as it was too warm to wear inside.
At 8:30ish there are more people coming than going! It was a longish walk to Amtrak from 7th Ave. Next time enter at 8th if possible. Is it possible? Took a seat in the waiting area, and continued re-reading Donna Leon's Quietly in Their Sleep. I have the newest Janet Evanovich waiting. On the walk to the waiting room, I pass a store called ‘Tiecoon’—isn’t that clever?
I’m almost 2 hours early once again and the sign for the earlier train shows that it is delayed. Hmmm. It is coming from Boston. I start worrying about not getting a seat and moving too slowly for the folks behind me. I ask the Redcap guy about this and he said, “Stick with me”.
You can’t believe how many bags he piled onto his cart! We who hobbled (and some who did not) were escorted to the train first. IF needed, Redcap will put your bag on the car for you. I asked a guy what he usually tipped for the service and he said $5. I cheerfully gave $20—and told him I could load my own. My arms are OK, just my leg. No one in the car so I could take my time getting settled.
Had cookies and cold cap and read all the way home. Every so often, internet came on so checked emails as well. Oh, it was snowing like made in New Jersey! Ironic to encounter it while travel to the south.
Final notes: If you have scads of money, taking taxi’s is a great way to travel. Those of you who uber or lyft can say if those modes are cheaper.
Subway is faster but there will be stairs. And, you miss the buildings.
Load up your metrocard at the subway stations. Bronx Zoo sold $11.00 tickets. My favorite bartender thought there might be some deli’s selling tickets. Anyone know???
I enjoyed the bus. DO make sure your bus actually stops where you are standing. As far as I know, only metrocard is allowed. No more exact change. Again, someone please confirm.
I
New York!
Last edited by TDudette; Dec 3rd, 2019 at 07:30 AM.
Dec 3rd, 2019, 09:17 AM
#28
TD - I just bought a week metro card for the 5 days I was there. ok i missed out on 2 days but it was very convenient and I worked out that I more or less broke even. The only time I used cabs was to get from Penn Station to my hotel and to get back from Times Square after I'd been to the theatre but like you I used the buses quite a lot - like you say you see so much more.
Glad you got home in one piece and thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Glad you got home in one piece and thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Dec 3rd, 2019, 02:54 PM
#30
It was a 7 day card but as I was going to be there for 5 days I reckoned it was worth it for the convenience and I was very happy with it.
So far as I remember I just went into the nearest metro station and bought it at the ticket machine. Paid with a credit card. [Kim helped!]
So far as I remember I just went into the nearest metro station and bought it at the ticket machine. Paid with a credit card. [Kim helped!]
Dec 4th, 2019, 12:56 AM
#32
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I hobbled in Italy so it helped to use collapsible hiking poles which fit in my suitcase diagonally. Glad you got to see more Sargents. Chuckled that you had a favorite bartender. Thanks for a wonderful report.
Dec 4th, 2019, 04:15 AM
#34
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I'm glad your trip was so successful. Thanks for all the info.
About the Guggenheim cafe: My husband and I didn't eat there, but it is worth going in to see the pictures of Frank Lloyd Wright and construction of the museum. We also thought the audio tour was good/helpful.
About the Guggenheim cafe: My husband and I didn't eat there, but it is worth going in to see the pictures of Frank Lloyd Wright and construction of the museum. We also thought the audio tour was good/helpful.
Dec 4th, 2019, 05:36 AM
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Good thing you had a comfortable, attractive hotel room as a place to retreat to. Sorry you were not at your best, but you still packed a lot into those days.
You had some good darn good meals, fun for me to read about as an armchair traveler and armchair eater.
You had some good darn good meals, fun for me to read about as an armchair traveler and armchair eater.
Jan 16th, 2020, 09:53 AM
#39
Rats, Vt! Wish I'd looked at the cafe at the Guggy.>>
I thought the same, TD! I walked past the Guggenheim a couple of times when I was in NYC in September but not being a modern art fan never thought to go in. On my list for my next visit.
I thought the same, TD! I walked past the Guggenheim a couple of times when I was in NYC in September but not being a modern art fan never thought to go in. On my list for my next visit.
