New York - The End of the Road

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This is the final chapter of this epic journey. We left Virginia beach early in the morning with thoughts that we might stop at Washington DC and have a look around the capital. This was changed after a phone call from my girlfriend asking for me to come home as I have been away too long - which was fair I think. So we drove all the way through and back to Brooklyn where I live.

The journey itself was really good if not long - just over eight hours - the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was a fantastic drive and I would say it is a must if it is a sunny day. Then on into Maryland which was very lush and good to see. The other states passed through were Delaware and New Jersey until we hit the big apple.

Me and my friend had traveled 8,222 miles with much to the pleasure of Hertz, who offer free mileage, we completely exhausted and sick and tired of being in a car, even though the Prius is a excellent vehicle with great mileage.

Rob had another few days left before he flew home so I decided to show him the sights of what I deem the best city in the world - New York!!

If you have not been then here are a few handy tips for people to see New York. View NY on top of a building - I would recommend top of the Rockefeller on 49th Street between 5th and 6th Ave. Do the usual sights like Times Square even though it's very busy and the Statue of Liberty.

But the places I am going to recommend are the places some what off the beaten track. The best time of the year to visit is either Spring or Autumn (fall) because the summer is horribly hot and winter terribly cold. I would highly recommend the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens that has the biggest Japanese garden outside of Japan, it is also closely situated near Prospect Park (Brooklyn's equivalent to Central Park).

On a Wednesday night at the Apollo theater in Harlem it is amateur night, it is a fantastic night where you can drink and either cheer or boo the act off stage. Greats like James Brown, Marvyn Gaye and Billie Holliday plus many more have blessed this stage.

If you are looking to eat and have a big wallet then I would strongly recommend a restaurant in Tribeca called Ninja. It has a Japanese theme with Ninja's serving you and the food is truly excellent. If you are looking to eat on the cheap then I would say a train under the river to a neighborhood in Queens called Astoria, with a huge melting pot cultures and fantastic food then you can't go wrong.

If a few drinks is on the cards then there is only one place to go outside of Manhattan and that is Brooklyn's neighborhood of Williamsburg. Jump on the L train and get off first stop in Brooklyn called Bedford Avenue and there are hundreds of cool bars to choose from. The people there are a bunch of trendies and you very rarely get trouble so it is a great place to go out - also I live there so I know the place well.

This is a fantastic city with so much to offer any day of the week. Also it is surprisingly compact city so you can get to any part in a short period of time. A must for any traveler.

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Photos

New York
A group of Jewish boys walking outside the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.