On the way to New Jersey, we met up with great friends from Boca Raton, FL, Stanley and Karen, who were in town for a wedding. We had a great lunch in a local diner near Westport. It was good to see them and catch up while pondering the fate of FL with the approaching hurricane Irma.
Our basecamp was nothing fancy, but it was all about location and views! Situated along the Hudson River we could see 3 layers of skylines including Jersey City, NYC, and Brooklyn in the distance. Also the convenience of ferries to Brookfield and the World Trade Center and the NYC Financial District at our docks. Ron was taken by the eclectic nature of the boats in the marina, including one (the black houseboat barge) that reminded us of our time in Amsterdam. Across the canal from the marina was Liberty State Park with ferries to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Our first evening, one of our neighbors informed us about the 9/11 Tribute In Light, which was being tested that night prior to the 16th anniversary a few days later. Ron took this picture from the dock after the full moon came up and as bagpipes from a boat played in the background. It was a goose-bump moment!
A visit to Liberty State Park and the tribute "Empty Sky". Today, the ferries for Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty dock at the building that used to serve as the terminal train station that would disperse those that were processed through Ellis Island to immigrate to America. The Central Railroad of New Jersey continued to operate as a transportation hub up until 1967. Shortly after the terminal and surrounding harbor front properties became Liberty State Park and on June 14, 1976 the State of New Jersey dedicated Liberty State Park as New Jersey's Bicentennial gift to the nation, and it now consists of 1,212 acres.
Saturday we met up with cousins Kris and Larry to visit the MoMA in NYC. We started with the Permanent Collection exhibits followed by the recently opened special exhibit of architect Frank Lloyd Wright at 150: Unpacking the Archives. Both were amazing.
Following MoMA, we dinned at THE SMITH with cousins Kris and Larry. Lively conversation and adult beverages, along with reminiscing made for a wonderful evening in the City.
On 9/11 we took the ferry over to the new World Trade Center and memorial park. The Memorial Ceremonies were closed to family and friends till 3 pm. So we toured the major waterfront plazas, the Westfield Center and the Oculus, an architectural transportation hub replacing the PATH station that was destroyed 9/11. "The world’s most closely watched urban renewal project, the World Trade Center links Tribeca to the Financial District, and brims with innovative architecture, renowned public artwork, and grand open spaces. This is a neighborhood reborn, pulsing with energy 24/7/365, and offering a vibrant, street-level experience that thoughtfully integrates the built environment into its surroundings." As this was the 16th Anniversary both police and secret service presence were very evident.
The 9/11 Memorial Pool on the site of one of the fallen towers. It was very somber and emotional with the names of all who lost their lives that fateful day.
Another day we were able to get matinee tickets to War Paint! A great Broadway Show with a story, music, and great costumes! Patti LuPone & Christine Ebersole were amazing! Of course, we had a corn beef & pastrami with a smear at the Stage Door Deli! A great way to spend a Wednesday in the City. We used TodayTix and highly recommend them for Broadway Shows. We also had a corn beef with swiss and a smear on rye at the famous Katz's Deli another day.
What can one say about one of the greatest city in the world! We LOVE NYC! Also we were unexpectedly very impressed with Jersey City. What a great place right on the Hudson overlooking the NYC Skyline. Once a very industrial area, today it is gentrified into ever-changing metro with new tall apt/condo buildings, brownstones, cafes, and an eclectic mixture of shops. A strong Portuguese and Asian influence is very present.
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