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On the western side of Manhattan, an old freight rail line has been converted into one of the best new attractions of New York.
The Highline Park combines volunteerism (plantings gardens maintained by volunteers), to sculpture and performance, with plenty of options for eating and drinking, and of course great views which give a different and elevated perspective to the city.
We took the subway down to 14th Street, walked 2 blocks west past the Chelsea Markets into the Meat Packing District. An elevator took us up to the Highline where we passed up the opportunity to sample the cafes of the Chelsea Passage, to walk south past the Diller - Von Furstenburg Sundeck & Water Feature, where barefoot children paddled in the water whist others sat on the sun-lounges checking their emails on their iPhones.
The Highline Park combines volunteerism (plantings gardens maintained by volunteers), to sculpture and performance, with plenty of options for eating and drinking, and of course great views which give a different and elevated perspective to the city.
We took the subway down to 14th Street, walked 2 blocks west past the Chelsea Markets into the Meat Packing District. An elevator took us up to the Highline where we passed up the opportunity to sample the cafes of the Chelsea Passage, to walk south past the Diller - Von Furstenburg Sundeck & Water Feature, where barefoot children paddled in the water whist others sat on the sun-lounges checking their emails on their iPhones.
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We walked north from 14th street to 32nd Street, up on the high, stopping from time to time to look up, or look down at the passing parade.
Up at 32nd Street, the extension of the park into the old rail yards in still under construction, so we turn back again and exit the park at 23rd Street, where a walk of two blocks, past the monumental Chelsea Towers apartment blocks.
Lunch is on our minds, so we take the subway to Grand Central, where the Food Concourse provides a plethora of choices for hungry folk.
Up at 32nd Street, the extension of the park into the old rail yards in still under construction, so we turn back again and exit the park at 23rd Street, where a walk of two blocks, past the monumental Chelsea Towers apartment blocks.
Lunch is on our minds, so we take the subway to Grand Central, where the Food Concourse provides a plethora of choices for hungry folk.
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The Food concourse was a bit crowded with office workers on their lunch break, but we eventually found both food and a place to sit. My gyros on pita bread was a bit meh, but the mango lassi I got from the 'Spice Cafe' was delicious. So delicious in fact that Ooq and Dita decided to try some too. Afterward, they went too Penn Station to check out trains back to Newark airport, whilst Minuk and I headed back to Long Island City.
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Back at the apartment we farewelled Ooq and Dita, and after a rest, researching a possible 'eat street' decided on an evening in the city.
We headed down to Little Italy, where Mott Street looked like a good bet. I couldn't find Umberto's Clam Bar, where Joey Gallo was shot down in the Bob Dylan song, Indeed, Little Italy is these days more like Chinatown to be fair, but our thoughts of a stroll in search of food were foiled when the heavens opened. We were however near the Shanghai Heiping restaurant, where we had a competent but undistinguished meal.
We headed down to Little Italy, where Mott Street looked like a good bet. I couldn't find Umberto's Clam Bar, where Joey Gallo was shot down in the Bob Dylan song, Indeed, Little Italy is these days more like Chinatown to be fair, but our thoughts of a stroll in search of food were foiled when the heavens opened. We were however near the Shanghai Heiping restaurant, where we had a competent but undistinguished meal.
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On the way home we took a short detour up to Times Square, where the world, his wife and their troop of cloven hoofed offspring were congregating, admiring the neon lights, the magnificent array of shopping opportunities, or just perhaps heading for a show on Broadway. It was a lively and vibrant close to our day, so after a short time taking in the vibe we retraced our steps once more to LIC.