NEW YEAR NEW YORK (Part 3) – From Blue Skies to Blizzards
UNION SQUARE MARKET AND THE FLATIRON, NEW YORK
Having given in the day before and purchased a ticket for one of the Big Bus New York tours, we realised that actually it was a 2 day pass and the Downtown Route went past many of the sites we’d planned to visit. So we walked over to Union Square, via The Flatiron Building, to check out the farmers’ market there.
Having done many craft and artisan markets at home, I was expecting something a little similar, or at least a foodie place. As it was, it was a genuine farmers’ market with lots of fresh fruit and veg, some homemade produce and quite a lot of hit apple cider, which the Bear had to try out, just for research purposes of course!
From there we could catch the downtown bus tour which took us down through Greenwich Village, NoHo and SoHo and down towards South Street Seaport and Battery Park. As we were planning on visiting the seaport on Monday anyway, we opted to stay on the bus and carry on through to Chelsea Market and The High Line, passing One World Trade and the World Trade Centre Memorial on the way.
CHELSEA MARKET AND THE HIGH LINE, NEW YORK
By the time we reached Chelsea Market, the morning’s bright blue skies were beginning to cloud over and the temperature was dropping so we were quite glad to get out of the cold.
Wasn’t quite sure what to expect of Chelsea Market, maybe something a bit like Camden Market in London?? Actually, it was a lot smaller than expected, with a lot of food outlets. Loved the fairy light arch and the wicked side of me couldn’t help smiling that the long line for the toilets meant people had to queue up next to a very splashy and loud industrial waterfall! Deliberate? Who knows. Cruel? Possibly. Funny? Absolutely!! We grabbed some gorgeous mini donuts and had a walk round what looked like a pop-up arts market where there was some pretty cool stuff, although I couldn’t help going in with my business head on, looking for display ideas and best sellers and what was handmade and what wasn’t. Sad, I know!
As we left Chelsea Market the skies were darkening and we decided to head off for some lunch. We had been advised by my brother and his wife that there were quite a few food places near the end of The High Line and as that was next on our list, that’s where we headed and found Bubby’s on Gansevoort St. First test of nerves for me as I don’t like crowded places, so the prospect of standing at a crowded bar to wait for a table was pretty daunting. Fortunately, we only had to wait about 15 minutes. Bit of a panic when I saw the table. As seems to be the way in many city restaurants and trendy places, the tables for two were all in a line with barely a gap between them. God help you if you ever want a private conversation! I needn’t have worried though as the couple on our left were really friendly and there was some bonding when the waitress dropped and full glass which shattered and splashed everyone. No drama, just everyone pitching in to help her get in cleared up, but it broke the ice (almost literally!) If you are visiting The High Line (or The Whitney Museum of American Art which is across the street), this is definitely a place to stop off. Food and atmosphere are great, crowded but friendly and not pretentious.
As we had our lunch, it started to snow. We hadn’t expected it, especially as it had been so warm on Thursday (9pm at night and people were walking around in shirt sleeves!) We thought it would just be shower and that sod’s law would have us miss it but by the time we left Bubby’s, it was still snowing. We crossed the street and climbed up to The Highline. The effects of the snow changed the light and the city incredibly. Everything was now monochrome with just blurry spots of colour from traffic and taillights in the distance. Our walk on The High Line, apart from getting cold and wet, was probably one of my favourite bits of the whole trip.
TIMES AND BRYANT SQUARE, GRAND CENTRAL STATION, NEW YORK
We picked up the bus again and continued on to Times Square, passing Madison Square Gardens on the way. Not what I expected at all! Thought it would be much bigger. The snow had deterred some of the crowds from Times Square and again it was softening the brash glare of the all the neon. We’d passed through the night before and it felt very different, a lot more Bladerunner this time.
As we walked back we took a different route and happened upon the ice rink and winter fair in Bryant Park. With the snow continuing to fall, it couldn’t have been more Christmassy, something we thought we were too late for seeing as how the Rockefeller Tree had come down the week before. Had to stop for hot chocolate and waffles at Wafels & Dinges (the Bear spotted they had Spekuloos so couldn’t resist!) whilst we watched the ice skaters.
We continued our walk back via Grand Central Station, with the snow, darkness and general murky haze making the city look less like Bladerunner and more like Gotham.
Still made for some great atmospheric pics.
Overall, a cold but very chilled out day, moochin’ around markets and exploring the city in the snow. Got back tired, cold and, truthfully, a bit damp and soggy where the snow had melted and seeped through my coat, but overall happy with another great day in New York.
