The Mahans take Manhattan - Take Two

Day 3
The weather was much colder on our third day and we needed to get to the ferry at Battery Park by 10 am to get to the Statue of Liberty. Once we went through two separate security check points we made it over to Liberty Island.



After an adventure up the 200+ stairs we took the ferry back to Manhattan to check out Ground Zero. Followed by a trip to Chinatown for lunch at Big Wong's (insert laugh here) which was supposed to be fabulous....neither of us agreed with Zagat.

A short cab ride later and we were in Harlem so Rustin could play basketball at Rucker Park (where a huge list of NBA players got their start & they filmed White Men Can't Jump) Afterwards we spent some more time in Times Square, Rustin's favorite place.

Day 4
We did some shopping then visited St. Patrick's Cathedral. Which might possibly be the most peaceful place in the city. Then we crossed the street over to Rockefeller Center, where they were filming an Episode of 30 Rock.



Then we went to Dylan's Candy Bar and FAO Schwartz. Afterwards we headed down to Little Italy for some Chicken Parm. Which was awesome! We shopped a bit more then dropped all our goodies off at the hotel before heading back out to enjoy Times Square.



From there we grabbed drinks and dinner followed by a show at HA! Comedy Club. When we came out of the show the movie they were filming (the sequel to Valentine's Day) about New Year's Eve had just wrapped up and there was confetti everywhere from the mock New Year's Eve ball drop.

Day 5
Our last day was bittersweet. We were excited to get home but sad to leave the city. We managed to see the Pompeii Exhibit and the Times Square Visitors Center (where we got to see the centennial ball) before grabbing our luggage and heading for JFK and home to TX.

The Mahans Take Manhattan - Take One

We just returned from our Honeymoon in NYC and had a fabulous trip. There was so much to see and do in such a short amount of time but we gave the city our best shot.

Day 1
After a delay out of ABIA we arrived in NYC at 12:30 am and missed our shuttle to the hotel.So we jumped in a cab and arrived at our hotel mostly in one piece (I forgot how crazy cab rides could be). In the long run though only cost $5 more than the Supper Shuttle so no biggie. We dropped our bags and headed out to Times Square and grabbed a drink at O'Lunney's where we met the first of many Irishmen.



On our way back to the hotel at 4am the Boys II Men concert was letting out of BB King's Blues Club and we found ourselves in the middle of skirmish between a large African man, an even larger Jamaican bouncer, and 6 of New York finest with pepper spray. We found our way back to our hotel. The street was hard to miss with it's nameless club's line winding halfway down the street. But come to find out it wasn't nameless (it's called Esculita) and it's hodgepodge of patrons (mostly gay men and large women) made sense when we discoverd it was a male strip club.

Day 2
A quick breakfast at Hot & Crusty (which quickly became our go to breakfast spot) was followed by a walk through Times Square on the way to Central Park. After consulting the map & the 4G we found our way through the park to Tavern on the Green where we got directions to the closest beer; The Boathouse was the answer. After drinks by the fireplace we rowed all over the pond in a little row boat. (and by "we" I mean Rustin) Best $12 ever spent!



Our hour of rowing was followed by a walk to the Empire State Building, and dinner at the Old Homestead. Which we'd heard great things about but the food wasn't worth the money.



Then we met up with Kristin (Joe's Girlfriend) for drinks at the Belvedere and another jaunt through Times Square.



Stay tuned for the rest of our Manhattan Adventures