Seeing the Final Sites

We left this morning about 9:30am. It was drizzling but we walked across Central Park to the Metropolitan Muesum of Art. We arrived just as it opened at 10 and we split up so we could see what each of us wanted to see. 
I love the English Victorian rooms and American model rooms so I visited there first then walked through the amazing storage archives to see everything they didn’t have room to display. 
   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

    
 

   
 
Lastly I ended up in the China: Through the Looking Glass exhibit. Get here early or there are tons of people and it’s less enjoyable. The music, visuals, artifacts, and costumes were amazing! I loved getting to see this exhibit and there weren’t a ton of people so I got to admire each piece. A lot of the costumes were designed by modern day designers but each was based on an artifact or an aspect of Chinese culture. I loved it!! 

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  We met of lunch at the American Cafe at noon and had okay sandwiches (I would suggest leaving the museum for food). We were lucky when we’re arrived we had the place  to ourselves, but by noon it was packed!!! So go early! Afterwards we walked through Central Park so the girls could see the main highlights. We saw the boat house, the fountain and steps, the band shell, and the mall. It was raining so it wasn’t that enjoyable, but it was empty so that was nice.

   
  

  

  

  

    We wandered up fifth ave to see all the fancy stores and Rockefeller center. We looked at St Patrick’s Catherdral then took our pictures infront of rock center. We asked but going up in the building but they said it was low visibility.  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

   
      Instead we planted our selves inside at a table. We relaxed then decided to grab am afternoon snack then head back to the hotel to pack. We went down to Bryant Park to get s’more wafles & Dinges. I love their Leige waffles! I always have to have one when I’m in NYC!! 

   
  

  

  Now we are back in the hostel packing. We have dinner reservations at The Smith at 7:45pm so we will just hide from the rain until then. I’ll probably wait to post about dinner until tomorrow when I’m home since the Internet is better. I’m sad that our time is almost over. It’s been an absolute joy being on Vacation with Claire and Laura. Well I’m off to pack while we listen to Aladdin 🙂 talk to you later! 

Steps (so far) 16,822 (7.67 miles) 

Choose Your Own Adventure

Today we got to sleep in a bit because the Smithsonian museums don’t open until 10am. We took the metro down and started at the Air and space museum. We each wanted to take our own pace so we spilt up. I did the short version where I read the highlights and take tons of pictures, Claire moderately read everything, and Laura read most everything and took the longest.    

  

  

  

   

 
  

  

  

  

  

  

  We met for lunch in the cafeteria in the museum at noon. We had McDonalds, not the best but it work for the time. In both the museum and cafeteria there were a TON of school groups.

 
Yup that’s a blog picture of McDonald’s, I love posting food pictures. Don’t care if it’s not exciting! 

After lunch we split again. After a quick stop at the air and space museum gift shop with an odd cashier clerk we moved on.  Laura stayed in the air and museum to finish reading, Claire went to the National Art Museum and I went to the American History Museum. We agreed to meet back at 2:30pm to go tour last stop. 

  

  

  

  

  

  

 I choose to go to the American History museum so I could see the Huey helicopter . That helicopter  was a big part of my childhood. In elementary school it would fly Santa to our recess yard and give us cand and hugs. When it was on its last flight to the Smithsonian it stopped at my elementary school and we got to connect with veterans and say goodbye to our beloved Huey. When I was there I saw Veteran enjoying the exhibit and had tears in his eyes. I will admit the sight of the helicopter made me cry thinking about the hard times and emotional memories the Huey symbolized for so many veterans, but for me and all of my elementary school mates it was a happy part of my childhood it taught us history, brought Santa at Christmas, and gave us a chance to bond with some veterans who actually flew or flew in Huey’s. I managed to pull myself together and got a picture with me and the Huey.   

  

  

  After I got my fill I moved on to a happier exhibit, the First Lady dresses. I love seeing the styles and glamorous outfits. 

   
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  After that I started to rush so I could meet the girls. I saw the original American star spangled banner flag, a Food exhibit with Julia Child’s kitchen in it, some movie props, and got some things from the gift shop. 

   
  

  

  

  

  

  I quickly moved back down the mall and met up with Claire. We walked a block up and over to the Newseum. If you’re in DC and have done the Smithonians you need to hit this one next. It’s current, hands on, has wonderful artifacts, and LOADS to see. We only were able to read about half and moderately see everything. The last two floors we rushed through because we only had 30minutes till closing! It had a cool FBI exhibit where it showed the news involvement in solving, reporting, and disrupting investigations. They have loads of cool short movies but we only got to see a few due to being short on time. They have a big news studio where something’s are filmed and you can watch, the news tower from the World Trade Center, the Pulitzer Prize photos, and so much more!! 

   
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  After losing the museum we headed to dinner ad District of Pi. I have a basil deep dish pizza, Laura had a half and half deep dish with two different house specials, and Claire had the same on flat crust. It was good and filled us up! 

   
 
Now we are in the apartment for one last night and cheering on (a bit too intensely) the national spelling be which is Happening at the Gaylord hotel near by in Washington DC. I am sad our time here is ending but am excited to play tour guide for the next few days in NYC! Talk to you later!!    

 Steps 17,741 steps (8.09 miles)