Over Labor Day weekend, my partner and I traveled to NYC for a wedding (not ours, not yet anyway!). Of course I took plenty of photos along the way.

 

Flying into LaGuardia - apparently the fringe winds of Hurricane Cristobal were just reaching the area, which made for a bouncy approach and less than crisp shots. Ah well, at least we didn't end up with an "unexpected water landing"  :|

 

 

Unfortunately we were on the other side of the plane so I had to use the telephoto across the aisle - can't win them all, I guess.

 

 

 

 

After a hard landing, we're all ready to get to our hotel - Trump Soho:

 

Not every building is iconic.

 

But c'mon, it's NYC!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally on the island of Manhattan - I love being in the taxi and seeing which landmark buildings are off in the distance when we hit the cross-street:

 

Here we are!

 

Surprisingly tasteful (for Trump!)

 

Skinny building going up a block away:

 

Found a good divey spot with great happy hour deals and decent beer on tap :cheers:

 

Over to the heart of Soho:

 

We had hoped to get manicures at Bliss spa but they were booked - ah well, might as well get a shot of this adjacent cool space:

 

A little more shopping in Soho:

 

But it was a little warm, time to head back to the hotel:

 

And hit up the pool - I was more interested in the views:

 

 

 

 

Enough of the pool views, this is the view from the bocce court:

 

Anyway, it was a long day with travel so skipping to the next morning, I go out for my usual early morning vacation walk:

 

 

 

 

We've been to NYC several times, but this time I put my foot down and said we would go to the Top of the Rock.

 

This was as close as we got to Times Square which was fine by me:

 

Almost there!

 

 

 

Woohoo!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, it's about time...

 

To get back to earth:

 

 

Or maybe we're going to heaven? As I always try to do whenever I'm on vacation and I see a historic house of worship - gotta see if they're open:

 

Sure enough - and Mass was just wrapping up.

 

And this was a cool moment:

 

 

Gotta love the Helmsley Building!

 

Uh oh, the trains weren't running local between Brooklyn Bridge and Union Square so we hopped off at Union Square - neat area:

 

Heading back to Soho:

 

Hey, it's just like being at home!

 

That night we went to a few bars - the Standard and the Jimmy rooftop at the James Hotel; what a fun night - wish I had my tripod but I did the best I could.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next morning, I decided to go to the World Trade Center - the weather was appropriately somber:

 

 

 

 

 

I hadn't been to the site in ten years - like millions of others, I lost it when the towers collapsed. Those emotions came rushing back that morning - I didn't go to the museum, I simply paid my respects the best way I know how and let my camera lead me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I then remembered - the last time I was here, it was 2004. Most of the rubble had been cleared but the damage to surrounding buildings was painfully evident. I had read about 90 West Street in a book and when I saw this, I gasped in shock.

 

This day, I sighed with gratitude:

 

 

I took that as a sign to move on:

 

 

 

And time for the main event - our friends wedding at Sohi on the 46th floor of the Trump Soho. The views, the venue, the evening was just incredible. Again, no tripod and a rain shower passed by so these aren't the best or clearest shots but I did the best I could.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up, Central Park, more city shots and the High Line.

I just want Woolworth's $110 million penthouse.

New York is the best. Thanks for sharing your pics!