While our first stop is the 911 Memorial, beside our hotel is a small bakery called Siena bakehouse. Since we are unsure how long we will spend at the memorial. We decide to pick up a coffee and something for breakfast before heading over.
911 Memorial
With full bellies and caffeine in our systems, we head to the 911 for the admission time on our tickets. After entering we are ushered to a small auditorium. A short video plays and talks about the tragedy, the recovery efforts and the formation of the memorial museum afterwards.
After exiting the auditorium, you then head down into the lower levels of the museum where some of the original structural elements of the original World Trade Centre buildings still still stand. Things like water retaining walls, support columns and escalator shafts. While the preservation of these things is super impressive, its also somber to think that so many people lost their lives in this place.
The Stories
To that effect, the museum places a lot of emphasis on the victims, survivors, recovery personnel and family of this event. Reading through the stories can get heavy pretty quickly. I did my best to read as many stories and experiences, but it gets to be too much, in content and weight. I think throughout the entire minion family starts to split up as we go through this at our own pace and experience this in our own way. Along with the stories are recovered items and damaged items from the site. For a museum that both tells the story of the tragedy and memorializes the event, it does a wonderful job. You can easily spend an entire day at the museum going through the entire exhibit. We spend several hours going through the museum at our own pace and eventually leave a little after noon.
New York Stock Exchange
Nearby to the Memorial is the New York Stock Exchange. Ever since I was little, I remember coming home from school and seeing Papa Minion watching the financial news on the TV and images of the stock exchange on the screen. The world of finance has always been an interest of his. And I think seeing this iconic building in person is certainly a highlight for him! In some ways I think he may have taken more selfies here than at the memorial!
The Charging Bull
And what visit to the stock exchange would be complete without a visit to the Charging Bull. Just a short walk from the stock exchange building is this other iconic New York fixture. When we arrive, we realize its very popular and there are lineups to get photos of it from “both ends”. So Papa Minion lines up to get his photo, while I wait by the side to snap his photo (and the family’s) when it’s his turn to get his shot!
Omars
Another thing that might just be a “Minion Family” thing is shawarmas while travelling. I’m not sure exactly where it started, but on past family trips Papa Minion would randomly pop up with a random shawarma in his hand. We don’t know how he ends up finding them and why he doesn’t let us know he’s getting food. But ever since then we’re always on the look out for shawarma stands or donair shops when we travel and often poke fun at him for it! This time however, we look up a small Mediterranean restaurant called Omar’s where we sit down and have a meal together. The food is great, and they are even kind enough to give us a free little desert baklava which is delicious!
Brooklyn
After lunch our next stop is Brooklyn. This is The Sister and I’s second time in New York and checking out Brooklyn is at the top of our list. However due to the weather, we have to trim down our exploration a little bit. So we train out to the area around the Brooklyn bridge to explore a little before walking back to Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge. Even in the rain, this area is super cool, and certainly warrants another visit sometime in the future.
There is even an amazing park space along the water that would be amazing to explore in sunnier weather. The rain did start to come down a bit heavier, so we end up having to duck into a coffee shop for an hour to wait for it to pass.
I could totally see this area being awesome in the spring and summer. I think my next visit to New York, I may opt to stay in Brooklyn and explore the area instead of Manhattan. I think there’s a lot that’s unexplored for me. There’s a very cool vibe to it and I’m very eager to check it out!
Brooklyn Bridge
With our brief visit to Brooklyn behind us and a small break in the rain. We decide to make the crossing across the Brooklyn Bridge. Even with grey skies, its a great way to see the New York Skyline. Though, I will caution, for those who may be afraid of heights, or storm drains. Even though the photos make the bridge look “solid”. The wood slats have gaps and you can see all the way to the water below. The Sister had a rude awakening to this partway through the journey! Otherwise, for us, the weather held out great, and we have a pleasant walk back into Manhattan taking in all the sights.
NYC Walk
From the bridge, we leisurely make our way back to our hotel to rest for a little bit. With nothing else planned we get a chance to take a breath and relax. It’s also in these relaxed moments that often bring out the joyful and best memories!
Shake Shack
After a short rest at the hotel, we head out again for dinner. This time we have our eyes set on Shake Shack. Since New York is the birthplace of Shake Shack, we want the Parental Minions to give it a try. So we head to a nearby location and order a few items for dinner. We spend the evening eating and reminiscing over the day’s activities and preparing ourselves for the day ahead.
Tomorrow, we sadly will be leaving New York. We have an early start as we’ll need to catch a train up to Boston. There we’ll hop on a boat where we continue the rest of our Family Vacation!