Visiting New York City: Broadway and Times Square [Part 10]

The heart of Manhattan is Times Square. Its beating pulse can be felt from far away. Though a very popular tourist spot (read: lots of crowds) it's still a unforgettable place, especially at dusk and night when we visited. Our main goal was The Majestic Theater on Broadway where we booked tickets to see "The Phantom of the Opera". We booked the tickets weeks in advance and came to a sold out theater. Taking pictures there is not allowed during the play, but I managed to sneak some in. This is the final post from our stay in New York City, and I hope to show you some more highlights from our stay there.

This is only a part of our big travel series to the USA 2016

For the other parts click here

The Phantom of the Opera

We booked our tickets to the Broadway on the official site. It was a big discussion on what we should see. It came down to Wicked, Book of Mormons or The Phantom of the Opera. As the days went on and we couldn't decide the decision was made for us, since only tickets for The Phantom of the Opera remained. The lines outside are long, no matter if you purchase the tickets before. So make sure to get there 30 minutes before. Also it's advisable to read up on the conduct rules of the theater your show plays in.

The Majestic Theater where they preform "The Phantom of the Opera" is really amazing, majestic actually puts it nicely. They don't allow the performance to be recorded or photographed. I did manage to take some shots with my phone camera at the beginning and during the Entr'acte. The striking chandelier in the middle of the theater is actually a set piece from the performance.

The performance was amazing. There is a reason it has been constantly performed for over 20 years at Broadway. We are flabbergasted by the story, set pieces, music and effects. There is something very special to experience it all. The prices of the tickets vary depending on if you sit in the front rows, mezzanine or balcony.

Lights of Times Square

After the performance we made a stroll through the Times Square. I had heard about the crowds here and how its more of a tourist spot. But still I loved it here. Yes there are a lot of people here, it gets busy, but still life is pulsating and it's fascination to watch. The lights from the billboards are especially great. I thought they would be blinding to the eye, but actually they are very balanced and simply amazing.

There is not that much to do here except take pictures and take it all in. So we went in the side streets to a pub, had some drinks and eventually returned back to our apartment.

Odds and Ends from New York

Halloween was around the corner when we visited so there were lots of spooky sights on the streets like this murder scene in the next shot. Lots of decorations in general on the streets which was really nice to observe.

Carrie's Apartment

Jasmina and Selma wanted to visit Carries Apartment from the TV Show Sex and the City. The front of the building was used for outside shots, while the actual apartment was a studio set. It was actually very close to our apartment. Only two blocks down. It's located at 64 Perry St, New York.

Statue of Liberty

Book your tickets for the ride in advance, the lines are very long for the Statue of Liberty. You can ride the Staten Island Ferry which is free, but it wont get you to the statue, only ride past it. Tickets for entrance to the Statue are payed extra and you have to get them well in advance.

Wall St

Wall Street is located in Downtown Manhattan. It's nice to see the Stock Exchange building, and roam the streets. Many shopping opportunities present themselves here. Lots of people in suits here, on phones, busy, rushing by.

In the End...

New York City really surprised me. I was afraid that a big city would be to crowded and busy, that I wouldn't be able to enjoy it. But it was really the opposite. I felt right at home here, though I'm not sure I could ever live here. It's a great city for travel, with so much to do and see. It never felt overwhelming. It's certainly a place I would come back to again, and you can easily spend 10-15 days here alone. But in a punch 5 days will do as well :D

It was time to depart New York City and return to the lovely towns of New England and road tripping. Next up on our journey was New Haven (including Yale University), Mystic and back to the Atlantic Ocean with the town of Narragansett. So stay tuned for next part! 

End of Part Ten

To be continued...

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