Day 5 - Tuesday

This morning I tried to take advantage of the jet lag before it wears off and go for an early run. I had made it out by about 7:30am. Smiti’s apartment is about two blocks for the East River, so it was easy to get onto the riverside promenades. I guess most of the edge of Manhattan is reclaimed from the water. Therefore, there seems to be a path which runs (pardon the pun) all the way around the edge of the island.

View of Brooklyn skyline

Path along the river(s)

I went back to the pier we had visited yesterday and just went around the bottom of the island and back up the other side. I went for about half an hour and then turned around and came back. There were loads of runners out, I’m guessing a combination of locals and people who had done the marathon. We have seen loads of people wearing their medals this week. Even several days after the event, which I think it probably a bit indulgent.

Waiting for coffee

On the way back I picked up some coffee and pastries. Quite reasonably priced two at $15 for 2 coffees and 2 pastries. Once we had got ready, we decided to go to the Natural History Museum today. It’s up by Central Park, a bit further away but we can get there just using one subway train so it was pretty quick to get there.

When we went last year, there dinosaur part was closed for a young scientist award evening. Therefore we just went to look at this section this time. We took the side entrance outside the subway exit. This allowed us to skip the queues and get straight in.

Side entrance to Natural History Museum

Explanatin of how exhibits were organised

Species on display

The exhibits were really good, and organized by evolution (see photo). We must have spent a couple house in there just looking at that section. When we finished, we popped outside and across into the park to eat lunch that we had bought with us. We were both feeling a bit tired from going to the zoo yesterday.

Crossing the road to Central Park

We headed back, and stopped off at Times Square again, just so I could do some more clothes shopping. We are planning to go to some nice bars at the end of the week, so I needed some smart shoes! Once I grabbed those, we headed straight back.

On the subway back to the appartment

I had bought us tickets to see an ice hockey game at Barclay’s Centre, which is a new venue in Brooklyn. We needed to be there for 7pm, so we pop across the road at 5pm to the pub over the road to get some quick food. I had a pizza and Kathryn had a steak sandwich. We travelled to the game at about 6pm, it was only 4 stops on the subway, so we arrived by 6:20pm.

Stout Pub, opposite Smiti's buidling

I used an official ticket reselling app, through ticketmaster, to get cheap unsold tickets. I was able to use my phone to show the tickets and we got straight in. Although we anticipated it would be cold, it was still quite cold inside, although it began to warm up once more people arrived.

Entrance to Barclay's Center

Start of the game

The game was actually pretty good, the first time I’d seen a regular season NHL game. I’ve seen lots of UK games in the past. Although New York conceded the first goal, they eventually scored the next 4 to win comfortable 4-1. This takes them to a very impressive 10 wins in a row. We’ll be going to their next game on Thursday so we’ll see if they can keep that streak going.

During 2nd intermission

Celebrations at the end

We were able to get out quickly at the end and straight on the subway. We were back by 10pm so it made for a nice evening.

Summary

Activities: Natural history museum, Ice hockey at Barclays Centre

Coffee: Hole in the wall

Travel: Subway from Fulton Street to 81st Street, Subway from 81st Street to Times Square, Subway from Times Square to Fulton Street. Subway from Fulton Street to Barclay’s Centre, Subway from Barclay’s Centre to Fulton Street.