We have not yet found a definitive answer as to why NYC is called this, it seems to have something to do with horse racing slang in the 1920s and then a concerted marketing effort in the 1970s. Anyway, we are loving it here! Despite the weather, which has been so bad our first purchase of the day was umbrellas!
The bad weather (the first of the holiday) changed our plans and instead we headed straight to Columbus Circle for a late breakfast after a big sleep in (seeing as we arrived here after midnight last night). Abi and I went to Williams-Sonoma there on Elle’s recommendation and found Star Wars cookie cutters – success! And on special too! (Although with Zac and Sam so Star Wars obsessed I would have bought them anyway..)
We then walked the several blocks down to the waterfront to do a Circle Line cruise around the whole of Manhattan Island. It was a long walk for the kids, but at least the cruise gave them a chance to rest. The cruise went for 3 hours and was very informative. From there we walked up 42nd St to Broadway and Times Square. After dinner in Times Square we explored the area and visited M&M world – three levels of it!
By then it was pouring, so by the time we walked the fifteen blocks back to our hotel we were all soaked – even though under umbrellas. Abi called it BFE (the Best Fun Ever), Tim thanked me for bringing him here but said he will probably never venture here again because of the crowds, and Sam and Belle think the whole place is fantastic. Jarrod took everything in his stride, and Zac enjoyed it but was very quiet for at least six blocks after we passed a homeless man asking for money – he was very concerned about the man and wanted to go back to the hotel and get some money for him.
We are now back at the hotel eating M&Ms and blowdrying our wet clothes! Tomorrow our plans are weather dependent, but we are hoping to get to the 9/11 memorial and Empire State Building.