The day began early for Belle and I as we woke about 6.30am and couldn’t get back to sleep, so then had to wait for Abi to wake. After bringing breakfast from the French cafe dowstairs back to our room to eat, we left the hotel about 9.45am and took a taxi down to Times Square to join the Hop On, Hop Off Bus tour (included in the New York Pass I purchased before I left home).

The Downtown loop provided commentary on many attractions and we disembarked to book tickets for the 9/11 Memorial museum (would have cost $75 but was free with the NY Pass). My research suggested we would have to book a time, pass some time, and then return for our entry time, but we were at the ticket window at 11.55am, and given access for the 12pm timeslot.

The museum was very moving and especially eye-opening for Belle, who had many questions, but also asked how much longer we would be there an hour in because she was overwhelmed with the emotion of it. The video presentations about the World Trade Centre victims she found especially difficult as phtotos were shared on screen while their loved ones talked about them. We stepped outside into the sun and reflecting pool, and went from there into Westfields next door for lunch of prepacked salads.

From there we walked over to view the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street, and then on to the Trinity Church to see the graves of Alexander and Eliza Hamilton. We then hopped back onto the bus for the remainder of the tour and returned to Times Square. We considered doing the Uptown Loop of the tour, but didn’t feel we had enough time, so shopped for souvenirs and M&Ms at the famous M&Ms store, and headed back to our hotel.

There we freshened up and changed and went back to the Theater District to see a musical. I overplanned and underachieved for today! I was hoping to do a lot more in the financial district, like walk Brooklyn Bridge and visit Battery Park and cruise past the Statue of Liberty, but there were just not enough hours in the day!

The girls grabbed a small nugget meal and chips at McDonald’s for dinner as we didn’t have much time to think about that before the show started at 7pm. We saw ‘Hadestown’, a musical about Orpheus and Eurydice, chosen because we happened to watch the Tony Awards when they won several awards. It was excellent, with good relevant messages for today.

We then took Belle down to the Times Square steps (holding our bags very tightly in the crowds of people!) to show her all the buzz and billboards at night. Interestingly, the stairs were blocked off by a row of policemen standing guard.

In the Playbill given out at the show (for free! Not like in Sydney…) they offered something free at Hershey’s World with any purchase, so Belle being a good consumer requested a milkshake as we happened upon the store. McD’s and Hersheys for dinner…..lucky we had salads and fruit salad for lunch!