On Thursday, after breakfast, we walked to Times
Square, took the Downtown Hop On/Off bus to Stop 9 and went on a Soho, Little
Italy and Chinatown walking tour. We used the New York Pass, otherwise the costs
were $35.
The tour met in a little park in Soho, but unfortunately,
there were no bathrooms, and you have quite a wait there. There were about 20 people on this tour.
The tour lasted for 2 ½ hours - you will see lots of old buildings – very scenic
and so much to look at. We stopped at a
Italian Bakery (Oldest cheese shop in New York) and had a cannoli about halfway
through the tour. The tour guide was
knowledgeable and interesting (Tip $5).
Then we took the Hop On/Off bus to Chelsea Market. For a late lunch, I had a piece of pizza and
a coke. The Market was only one floor,
made of mainly of restaurants, a few tourist shops, and a kitchenware shop – if
you are short of time in New York, maybe pass on Chelsea Market. 
Then back on the Hop On/off bus – no air
conditioning, so the bus was very full and very hot. We walked back
from Times Square to rest at the hotel. Times Square was always busy - this was a quiet afternoon there. For a couple of dollars, Mickey Mouse and company will line up for a picture.
For dinner, we walked to the Oyster Bar in
Grand Central Terminal (3 blocks) - the restaurant was opened in 1913 and has a grand, vaulted ceramic
ceiling, and friendly waiters. Dinner was delicious - I had monkfish,
steamed potatoes, vegetables and Guiness stout beer ($40).
Then we walked back to the hotel – busy day in New
York.
Photos belong to Phil Bianco
