"New York City" New York City by ZanieOR

New York City Travel Guide: 15,523 reviews and 30,894 photos

The "Naked Cowboy" in Times Square - New York City

Love the big city

Living in a lovely small town isolated from the rest of the world in the mountains of Oregon, my idea of "getting away from it all" is going to the city. And there's no city like New York City!
I've only been there twice, and now that my daughter has moved back to the west coast, I'm not sure when I will be back. But I will be back!
I love all the people (none of whom know me), the energy, the vibrancy, the things to see and do.
I hate to admitt on my two visits, I never even left Manhattan (except to NJ), and barely scratched the surface of what I wanted to experience.
And you never know what you will see.
My most recent trip was tied up with the tragedy that occured there on 9-11-01.
I already had a visit planned to New York City at the beginning of October 2001 - actually to visit my daughter who was living in NJ with side trips to NYC - when the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center occurred.
In fact my daughter, who was working then in Secaucus right across the river, actually saw the second plane hit.
So the NYC I visited was a city in mourning and definitely wearing its heart on its sleeve. I got into conversation with a number of New Yorkers - once sitting on some steps waiting for a bus. At that time a lot of Americans and others were afraid to travel on airlines, especially to NY, so visitors/tourists were being welcomed warmly. Somewhere I have a newspaper account I wrote of my impressions for the Travel section in the East Oregonian Sunday paper and will put it here.
Ironically on my first trip to NYC with my son (from Christmas to New Years Eve, 1999) one of our tourist
stops was the World Trade Center.

Broken heart

Crying fireman in Times Square.

I did have a story I'd written about my trip to New York in this chapter but decided to move it to a travel logue which seemed more appropriate. This photo is the one that speaks to me about the sorrow that was still so raw in the city and nation when I visited NY.

Ground Zero

The closest view of Ground Zero

I got off my tour bus because of course it was not traveling to lower Manhattan during my visit -- the streets were blocked off -- and walked many, many blocks to get as close to Ground Zero as I could. It was as if I was drawn ...
Battery Park was all blocked off but I could see still see Lady Liberty, a tiny ghost in the distance.
On my next trip to New York City visiting the Statue of Liberty and paying my respects is number one on my list of things to do.

Pros and Cons

Pros:So many places to go, things to do; a city with a very big heart.
Cons:Tired feet, not enough time
In a nutshell:A wonderful city to explore

Last visit to New York City: Oct 2001
Intro Updated Apr 10, 2004
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Reviews (5)

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Comments (11)

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wdwrocks Feb 21, 2008 at 5:04 AM

My wife and i live on the west coast! i for one don't like to be in a hurry on my vacations! so if i stop in the middle of manhatten to look around and make New Yorkers mad please forgive me than shoot me! then i will get the message.
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moiraistyx Aug 26, 2006 at 8:53 PM

Nice work on the NYC info. Your travel logs were moving.
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birchy99 Aug 16, 2005 at 3:35 PM

Enjoyed your NYC pages. We too had too short a time and barely scratched the surface. Terrific writing.
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ettenaj Mar 21, 2005 at 1:40 PM

Trying not to like like a tourist is hard when you are lost!!!! Nice page
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windsorgirl Feb 12, 2005 at 10:34 AM

Can't believe I missed the Naked Cowboy! I'd say that warrants a trip back to NYC.
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J.I.M Jan 22, 2005 at 8:35 PM

New York is a place I'll never forget. Wonderful city! :)
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littlesam1 Jan 13, 2005 at 6:58 AM

I love NYC and try to go there at least once each year. I still have not seen the Naked Cowboy yet. I also have not been able to go to Ground Zero. For some reason its just too difficult for me still. Great page.
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GrantBoone May 14, 2004 at 2:34 PM

Thanks Elane.
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Rhondaj May 1, 2004 at 5:01 PM

OMG-- the naked cowboy is my first pic too!
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deecat Apr 10, 2004 at 7:34 PM

Your travelogues are quite a tribute to the spirit of New York. I enjoyed your tips because they are honest and helpful as well as interesting. Thanks.