This morning we caught the first train into the city (read 5:47am), and thankfully it was running about 3 minutes late. I'm not convinced we would've caught it if it weren't for those extra couple of minutes! Phew!
We arrived at Grand Central Terminal when it was just opening up...
grabbed a quick breakfast and caught the 4/5 Subway down to Battery Park...
Check in for trips to see the Statue of Liberty (from NYC) start at Castle Clinton, located at the southern tip of Manhattan in Battery Park...
We ended up 2nd in line to claim our elusive "crown access" tickets, that I had reserved online weeks ago, and boarded the ferry shortly thereafter...
{looking down at her left hand that holds a tablet inscribed with "JULY IV MDCCLXXVI" ~ July 4, 1776}
{looking up at her right hand that lifts high the torch}
The way down was neat, too.
We saw the imprint of her face from the inside...
where we took some time to stretch our legs, walking about halfway across the famous bridge...
From there, we continued north and made a stop at St. Mark's Church-In-The-Bowery to visit the grave of Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins. Tompkins served as the 6th Vice President of the United States under President James Monroe...
We arrived at Grand Central Terminal when it was just opening up...
to catch the first ferry over to Liberty Island!
Check in for trips to see the Statue of Liberty (from NYC) start at Castle Clinton, located at the southern tip of Manhattan in Battery Park...
We ended up 2nd in line to claim our elusive "crown access" tickets, that I had reserved online weeks ago, and boarded the ferry shortly thereafter...
When we got to the statue, we went ahead and made the steep, narrow climb to the crown first thing...
So glad that we did!
Success!
It was nice to be able to take our time and not be rushed once we reached the top...
The way down was neat, too.
We saw the imprint of her face from the inside...
and the (now restricted) torch access that has been closed off to visitors since 1916...
Once we made it back down, we explored the pedestal, looking up at the statue from below...
before taking some time to go through the museum housed inside.
We snapped a few more photos...
before boarding the ferry bound for Ellis Island...
Once we arrived, we explored the Great Hall a bit, but spent a lot of time outside in back of the main building visiting the American Immigrant Wall of Honor exhibit, where thanks to my grandfather, my great-great-grandfather's name is inscribed...
We also took in the gorgeous views of Manhattan...
After lunch, we ferried back to Battery Park and took the Subway over to the Brooklyn Bridge...
where we took some time to stretch our legs, walking about halfway across the famous bridge...
From there, we continued north and made a stop at St. Mark's Church-In-The-Bowery to visit the grave of Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins. Tompkins served as the 6th Vice President of the United States under President James Monroe...
Sadly, the churchyard was all locked up, so we had to settle for paying our respects through the fence (his grave is located right by the bell)...
From there, we headed uptown for a special birthday dinner at The Polo Bar...
where we had a little celebrity sighting ~ Lorraine Bracco, actress on one of Hubby's favorite shows, The Sopranos...
B ordered the fish of the day ~ branzino and another half dozen oysters...
After dinner, we bid farewell to Hubby as he headed off to the airport, and we caught the train back to Connecticut...
We got there just in time to catch most of the Super Bowl and another surprise cake for dessert...
Thankful for so many people taking the time to make our favorite boy feel so special...
Tomorrow is a catch up day to finish up what's left on the birthday boy's list...
