Staten Island/ 911/ Wall Street/ Brooklyn Bridge/ Lower East Side

Grab bagel breakfast near Subway (Liberty Bagels – my favorite is their toasted sesame bagel with scallion cream cheese) near 34St. station (on 35th). Liberty Bagels is home to the best bagels in New York. The old-fashioned, hand-rolled, kettle boiled, and baked bagels are a NY staple and is a stop you cannot skip during a trip to NYC.

Take the 1 Downtown to Battery Park/South Ferry (10 min)

Staten Island Ferry (late 1800s)– free ferry past Statue of Liberty. Stay right side Over, left side Back. Departs every 15-30 minutes/20-25 minutes each way.

Subway up to World Trade Center/Oculus station to:

911 Memorial / Museum – 180 Greenwich. Just going close to the twin towers memorial takes your breath away and your heart sinks once you peer into the endless hole in the middle. The design captures your heart, for sure. FDNY Station #10 is right there, too. Stop in Ohara’s Pub for a pint after – 120 Cedar St (one block south of ground zero / 11a-late). The New York Irish pub that became a hub for first responders after 9/11. O’Hara’s walls are covered with police and fire badges from around the world. The pint of Guinness eased our emotions before we ventured on…

Trinity Church – 120 Broadway – Alexander Hamilton grave/Natl Treasure. Dark gothic vibe. Unbelievable architecture.

Wall Street – Bull – NYSE

Lunch at Fraunces Tavern (1762)– 54 Pearl St – Museum on 2^nd Fl ($10A/$5C) daily Noon-5pm/ guided tours (60 min) weekends/Lunch daily 11:30am-3:30pm. As you turn a corner south of the Financial District, the historic preservation building begs you to enter. Once inside, you’ll notice all the furnishings are period late 1700s, even the servers are dressed in period costume. This is the oldest building in Manhattan. We really enjoyed the Tavern Burger but next time I’d like to try the Pot Pie. I’d encourage you to visit the museum upstairs. This is the site of George Washington’s emotional farewell to his officers at the end of the Revolutionary War win!

Brooklyn Bridge (1883) (Walk or Subway to NY City Hall) – the pedestrian walkway begins just across from the northeast corner of City Hall Park along Centre Street. Walk a little ways towards Brooklyn, turn around, get the photo op or go all the way across, grab a snack in Brooklyn, then walk back over with the Manhattan skyline as your view. We felt walking on the wood-planked path, the bridge is bigger and grander in person. A must do!

Chinatown Wo Hop (1938) – 17 Mott St basement/Marvelous Mrs. Maisel/10:30a-9p – or any of the street vendors. This area encompasses many blocks forming a V shape and the food is fresh and delicious. (cash only in Chinatown)

Tenement Museum – (early 1900s) 103 Orchard St (&Delancey) / reserved tours 60-90 minute ~ $30/ As you explore the Lower East Side neighborhoods, learn how various early 1900s immigrant communities influenced American culture and cuisine. These tours are so authentic – in one tenement, you are touching the same banisters 7,000 immigrants used over the last 100 years!

Dinner: Katz’s Deli (1888) 205 E Houston St 8a-11p/ NYCs Oldest Jewish Deli. OMG! That quote from When Harry Met Sally (filmed here), “I’ll have what she’s having!” – so true! Best Pastrami on Rye! Grab your ticket at the door and line up to your favorite “cutter”. Place your order. While they slice your meat for the thick sandwiches, the cutter may give you a sample and ask if you want more lean or fatty ends? Ask for the deli mustard. It comes with pickles on the side.

Cocktail: The Back Room Speakeasy (1920s) -102 Norfolk St. 6p-2a. This is one of only two speakeasies in NYC that operated during Prohibition and is still in existence today. Once you find the rickety Toy Factory gate, walk down the steps, across the way and then knock at the *unmarked door. The bouncer looks you over and asks the gentlemen to remove their caps. The drinks are prohibition style – beer bottles served in brown paper bags and cocktails in tea cups! So cool! Gangsters once used the space for “business meetings”.

Beer: McSorley’s Old Ale House (1854) – 17 E 7^th St / Noon-1am. McSorley’s can boast of being NYC’s oldest continuously operated saloon (everyone from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon). Enter the sawdust strewn floors and history patched walls for a trip back through time. Be prepared: walk thru the swinging doors and you’re asked light or dark and soon after two short mugs of your choice appear. Old-timey, friendly vibe. Daily food specials. Cash only. No draft list here, lol.

Nearby, NYU campus/Washington Sq. Subway back to Hotel to refresh and walk or subway to: Times Square nighttime view & Serendipity 3 ice cream, Juniors cheesecake or numerous Times Square rooftop bars.