Wednesday, November 30, 2016

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.


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...

29 comments:

  1. I've never seen "Phantom of the Opera," but I do love some of the music from it. It probably would have been my first choice of the ones that you were considering. Again, your photos are phenomenal. I marvel at how you all managed to pack all the things you would need for the various activities involved with this trip.

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    1. I don't know how we did it all to be honest. It's very difficult since we had changing weather and different occasions to dress for from simple road trip days to events in the big city. Somehow we managed :D

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  2. what an amazing trip mersad! i really enjoyed the pictures...that theater is gorgeous and how fun to see carrie's apartment! that would be on my list too :)

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    1. It was close by so we made a stop for it. It's a really great neighborhood.

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  3. Great photos and recap of your trip!

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  4. the inside of the theater is worth the price of the tickets for the play. it is amazing and so beautiful. 20 years, wow. I did not know that. you seem to have see it all

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    1. The Majestic Theater is really impressive I have to say. Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. far, far to crowded for me but that theater is really stunningly beautiful !

    Have a nice ABC-day / - Week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-team)
    http://melodymusic.nl/a-b-c-wednesday-19-u/

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    1. You just get used to it and go with the flow here I guess. But as soon as you venture into a side streets it gets quiet.

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  6. Excellent pictures as usual. Striking good ones inside the theater. Today's phones are really something! Sure seems like you had a good trip!

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    1. Yeah, I'm amazed as well Bill. I have had phones where the pictures look like they have been made by a potato. :D

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  7. Marvelous series of photos! Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/11/ein-karem-birthplace-of-st-john-baptist.html

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  8. Wieder solch tolle Aufnahmen, und dann bei Carrie ;-) Hat ja eigentlich nur noch Mr. Big gefehlt *gg* Toll auch das Phantom der Oper. Mein absolutes Lieblingsmusical! Drei Mal in Hamburg angeschaut habe ich mir auch den Kinofilm auf DVD geholt. So kann ich es jetzt hier immer mal wieder genießen.

    Liebe Grüsse

    N☼va

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    1. Es war wirklich genial. Top Schauspieler, Kostüme, Musik, einfach alles.

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  9. Great, Thanks for sharing.

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  10. What a wonderful time you are had in New York and it was great that you got to the theatre to see that particular production. The heart of the city is ablaze with colour. You have captured the atmosphere and the excitement of the big apple so well

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    1. Thanks Margaret, I agree the city center is ablaze with color and it's pretty fantastic.

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  11. Wow, wie aufregend, alles und dann die vielen Menschen und die bunten Leuchtreklamen !
    Für ein Landei wie mich wäre das alles zuviel!
    Aber toll war es bestimmt.
    Liebe Grüße

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  12. Hi, I just recently discovered your blog from my longtime blogging friend, Valerie, A Mixed Bag. You're photography is AWESOME! And it's funny because I just recently returned from a trip to New York City a few days ago. I LOVE that city, so I go there once or twice a month. I lived there for five years and long to move back.

    Your photograph of The Statue of Liberty is MAGNIFICENT!

    I look forward to reading more of your blog. The best to you!

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  13. You really got some great shots of all the lights on Times Square. Wonderful photos.

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  14. I love NY. Used to live there for 13 years. Looks like you had a fantastic trip! Cheers, kidcandoodle

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  15. Looks like you had a great time in NYC. It has been years since I've been there, but always enjoyed this city. It is easy to get around, and there is a wealth of things to do and see.

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  16. STATUE OF LIBERTY WAS MY s THIS ROUND.
    SOMETIMES INDECISION MAKES our DECISIONS FOR US!

    ROG, ABCW

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  17. You really saw all the sights! I was impressed by Central Park since I never saw that when I was there as a kid--but then we were only there for a day. I remember the subways! Love all your photos. And you even got to see a play! Wow! :)

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  18. Wow Mersad! Your NYC pics are beautiful! I'm pinning this post for my next visit there. :)

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  19. Beautiful! Mersad I had the pleasure of seeing phantom of the opera 26 years ago... yes it was playing back then. I remember because I was pregnanat with my first child and when the scene with the chandelier happened the baby kicked! It is such a stunning play and it never gets old. I am so glad you were able to enjoy your stay at this great city!

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