Times Square / Central Park / Fifth Avenue / Grand Central / Empire State Building

NYC Midtown – Walk past Times Square, grab a coffee and dessert at Carlos or Krispy Kreme (loved the big apple donut) and take it to the red steps in the middle of Times Square to eat (get some pics of the daytime scene).

Then walk uptown Broadway to Original Soup Man @ 259 W 55^th St. Take soup to nearby park. This is the Seinfeld episodes spot of Al, the Soup Man and “No soup for you!” legend. Carryout only. I’m glad I got Soup for Me! The lobster bisque (chowder) was so flavorful! And, my bag included bread and a piece of fruit! I’m craving that soup again already …

Central Park by foot tour: (start at Columbus Circle on the southwest corner. Subway line 1 Uptown to 59^th St/Columbus Circle stop)

Tavern on the Green – 11am-11pm wkdays/ 9am-10pm wkends – Classic wood beamed ceiling interior – expansive patio w/ dozens of tables with red umbrellas. Meals with reservations. Cocktails and lite bites at the main bar and patio bar. Snack bar. We were there during Sunday brunch and the champagne was popping non-stop for mimosas.

• Strawberry Fields / Imagine Mosaic (memorial to John Lennon – an acoustic musician was singing Lennon songs as we passed by, adding to the feel)
• Rock outcroppings all along your path east, along with open patches with ball fields (we saw two softball games)
• Bow Bridge (classic pedestrian bridge)
• Bethesda Terrace & Fountain (street vendors and musicians line the perimeter – also great views of rowboats and the Lake – this is Friends fountain)
• Loeb Boathouse (many movie scenes, where you can rent rowboats)
• Conservatory Water (model boat pond)
• The Mall & Literary Walk – The Mall is a wide, tree-lined walkway located in the southern part of Central Park. It runs from the southern entrance at 66th Street to the Bethesda Terrace. The Mall is a popular spot for walking, jogging, and socializing. It often hosts street performers and artists, adding to its vibrant atmosphere. The Literary Walk, which features statues of famous writers (William Shakespeare), runs along the Mall. (I think this was my favorite park of Central Park)
• The Pond at Central Park (far view of the Plaza, where we’re headed next)

Fifth Avenue walkabout starts at the Plaza!

• The Plaza (1907) – Champagne Bar – cocktails and meals/ 6:30a-11p. Palm Court Bar – especially fun during afternoon tea for people watching. Best Manhattan in Manhattan! Creative, tasty small plates.
• Trump Tower / Tiffany & Co / Gucci
• St Patrick’s Cathedral (1878) / Rockefeller Center / Radio City / NBC Studios

Head back towards hotel to freshen. Evening ideas:

• Hotel Rooftop Bar

• Grand Central (1913) –  the Campbell Room  (Noon-Midnight/jazz 6p Sundays/limited seating, make reservations) – cozy speakeasy vibe – order traditional cocktails and small plates.
• Empire State Building (1931) – 8am-MN (last elevator at 11:15pm) $44+ Eateries on street level. Observation deck and displays. The Disney-like exhibits engage you, including the elevator ride up to the 80^th floor and the movies/King Kong “grab”! Then, you go up to the 86^th Floor and wow, the views are breathtaking! We arrived at dusk and stayed til dark. Very quiet and surreal up there… magical!