Exploring Lower Manhattan

Thursday was cram packed with sight seeing! The day started with another trek up the infamous hill to the bus stop (first picture). Our first stop was in the garment district walking around the Empire State building. We grabbed an egg sandwich and some more Jamba Juice for a morning snack and George found a cigar shop where they were hand rolling cigars. The next stop was a Kenneth Cole shoe sample sale where George and I both picked up some awesome shoes at an amazing price! Lunch was at the Shake Shack in Madison Square Garden. They had excellent burgers and fries and George really enjoyed his turkey hot dog done up Chicago style. The line was incredible. This place draws such a crowd that there is a live camera on their website so that you can check out the line before you go! After lunch we headed farther south to the Financial district to see the World Trade Center Site. They are in the construction phase for the new Freedom Tower. We were able to walk around the site and view the area through windows from inside surrounding buildings. Viewing the site was more emotional than I thought it would be. It took me back to that morning and the fear and sadness I felt watching it unfold on TV. We bought a few picture books to add to our collection of memorabilia that I am putting back for Samantha since it was her on her first birthday. We also went to St. Paul's Chapel which is a church that was beside the WTC. The church survived the destruction completely unharmed. It was built in 1766 and is the oldest public building still in use in Manhattan. Many of the rescuers stayed here on cots during the cleanup after the attacks. There was a bell in the church yard that was a gift from England (if I remember correctly) and is rung every September 11th. Erin fell sound asleep in her wrap while we toured the area. Next up was Battery Park. As we entered the park, we saw a sculpture that looked pretty beat up. Turned out to be a sculpture from the WTC plaza. They moved it to Battery Park and lit an eternal flame as a memorial. The girls also had the opportunity to look out at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island. We then headed to Chinatown and Little Italy. The girls always enjoy checking out the fresh fish markets and other unique markets that carry items that we don't see everyday. We ended the evening in Little Italy with dinner at Lombardi's which is America's first pizzeria and our first official New York pie! It was delicious!