New York, New York! Day 3: The American Museum of Natural History, The Lincoln Center, Riding Bikes around Central Park and Grand Central Station.

1 June 2014

On our third day in NYC we decided to firstly go to the American Museum of Natural History which has one of the largest collections in the world and is right next to Central Park. We didn't spend much time there as we had to have lunch and get to Central Park in time to rent bikes for the afternoon but you can see dinosaur skeletons, fossils and many other artefacts from all parts of the world.

Entrance to The American Museum of Natural History

Dinosaurs

Easter Island Head

The American Museum of Natural History Old Entrance

On our walk from the museum to the Lincoln Center area we spotted Abraham Lincoln on the sidewalk, so I had to get a photo with him!

Hanging with Abraham Lincoln

We grabbed some lunch at a little cafe and walked over to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts which includes; The Avery Fisher Hall (home of the Philharmonic Orchestra), The David H. Koch Theater, (home to the New York City Ballet) and The Metropolitan Opera House. The plaza is very impressive with the water fountain and the variation of shapes incorporated into the architecture of the buildings. You can also see Julliard, school for the performing arts which has a very cool sculpture and raised grass area.

The Lincoln Center Plaza

The Vivian Beaumont Theater

Julliard

Nearby is the Empire Hotel which Chuck purchases in Gossip Girl! It was pretty cool to see being a fan of the show!

The Empire Hotel, Chuck's Hotel in Gossip Girl

We then walked to a bike rental place included in the NYPass to pick up bikes to cycle around Central Park for the afternoon. We stopped to see a few of the main attractions of the park such as the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, the Boathouse and the reservoir. I was so happy to see the park in Spring when it was so green and the weather so nice! It is quite a distance around the whole park and there are a few hills along the way, but it was a great way of catching the springtime atmosphere of the park. We also saw some people playing Quidditch!

Statue at the entrance to Central Park

Bethesda Terrace, Central Park

Bethesda Fountain

Me with the Bethesda Fountain

Bethesda Terrace

The Boathouse

Central Park Reservoir

After taking the bikes back to the rental shop we walked by the famous Plaza Hotel on 5th Ave and took the subway to Grand Central where we took a look around the impressive building. It was another surreal moment, standing in such an iconic place which has been featured in so many films.

The Plaza Hotel, 5th Ave

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Departure Board

Grand Central Clock

We then headed outside to see the exterior of the building which is overlooked by the Art Deco style Chrysler Building. Opposite the station I spotted the Pershing Square Cafe which is featured at the end of the film, Friends with Benefits.

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building

Cafe opposite the station featured in Friends with Benefits

Thanks for reading! My next post is about our very busy day 4: The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Wall Street, The Brooklyn Bridge and The Empire State Building!