On Monday, for breakfast, we went to a diner just 3 doors away from the Iroquois
Hotel – The Red Flame Diner (Recommended by Trip Advisor) had lots of seats
(including a countertop), was very busy in the mornings, breakfast was good and
only about $8 – 12. We had breakfast there every day after
that.
We booked a tour through Viator ($24) to see the Statue
of Liberty and Ellis Island. We took the subway, turned towards the docks
and followed the Statue of Liberty signs.
Our tour was at 10 am, but we got there early, so you just take the next
ship.
You can go right up inside the Statue – I went up on
a narrow spiral staircase – a long way up – then there was a platform for about
a dozen people to stand up inside the crown.
Used the same staircase to come back down - at certain places, one could
step aside and, if going up, then either continue or walk back down.
We had onion rings and a drink in their restaurant - reasonable price, and you sit outside enjoying the view. Then took the ship to Ellis Island – nice to walk around and see what the immigrants saw – and then the ship back. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour was busy, but not jam packed.
For lunch, we went to the historic Fraunces Tavern
on Pearl Street - about 4 blocks away. The Tavern was built in 1719, and General Washington
gave his farewell address to his officers. The seats were lined with faux
animal skins. I had chicken pot pie and a Weiss Bier served
in a very tall glass ($30). We sat in
the back, which was quiet, after dealing with the crowds of people all morning,
and had a very nice lunch.
Then, on our way back to the subway, we passed by the Sea Glass Carousel and stopped in for a ride ($5). The Carousel was not busy - the shells are beautiful and catch the light.
Then, on our way back to the subway, we passed by the Sea Glass Carousel and stopped in for a ride ($5). The Carousel was not busy - the shells are beautiful and catch the light.
Then we took the subway back to Times Square, and walked back to the hotel for a rest. That night, about 8 pm, we took a yellow cab ($12) there and back to the Russian Tea House – when you see it from outside, it looks very narrow, but inside, you do not notice.
The restaurant has 4 floors, but only the main floor was open – there was only about 10 customers there. The waiters were dressed up – you got the feeling of czarist Russia, and we enjoyed seeing the artwork and the antiques. I had beef stroganoff and Belgian white beer and for dessert, cherry and cheese blintzes. Dinner was expensive ($100) but well worth it to eat at such an old world restaurant.
