My first day in New York was an epic one. It was great to be reunited with Michael, and to meet all of his work friends for the first time. Bleary eyed from a night at the Yankees game the night before, they had all still managed to drag themselves out of bed for a morning visit to The Freedom Tower.

I had already visited the 9/11 MemorialΒ with mum two years before, so it didnβt have the same emotional impact as it did first time round, but itβs such a beautiful and peaceful place.


The Memorialβs twin reflecting pools are the largest man-made waterfalls in the USA, and sit within footprints of where the Twin Towers once stood.
However, since the Freedom Tower only finished being built in November 2014, it was my first time heading up. The top floor (Floor 104) of the building provides a viewpoint of the city.





^ Sadly, it seemed that Iβd brought a spell of the British weather with me, and it was a rather murky & miserable morning.Β But, still, I have to say that the view hasnβt got a patch on that which you get from the Empire State Building, or Rockefeller Centre and, at $32 per person, it is also considerably more expensive. Nonetheless, we made the most of it and got some group snaps.


Not knowing anything about the Freedom Tower prior to visiting, I have to say that I was disappointed by the lack of emphasis on 9/11, or commemorating the lives lost on that tragic day. Instead, it has been built purely for office space and to provide another observation deck of the city which, given its location, I personally think is a little sad. Hence, Michael and I plodded back outside and took a stroll past the Memorialβs pools, taking in a few of the names of all those who died in the attacks.


The Memorial is such a tranquil place to visit, with the sound of rushing water and newly planted trees providing stillness and a sense of hope in the centre of the financial district.





By this point, we were nearing on midday, and had worked up a serious appetite. There was only one place for it β The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park.


Weekend brunches (and holidays) call for champagne. We sat at the bar and enjoyed our delicious bubbly whilst waiting for our buzzer to spring to life.


Which it did soon after. We took our seats and absorbed the quintessentially classic surroundings. The striped awnings, ceiling fans, starched white tablecloths and expert waiters balancing plates high in the air, together with the romantic, relaxing view of the lake, creates a stylish yet homely ambience.



We perused the menu whilst munching on the most delicious complimentary banana bread.


Sadly for the blog, we are too similar when it comes to food preferences, and it was undoubtedly two orders of the eggs royale, intriguingly served with a side of summer vegetables.


Check out that yolk porn.

It was perhaps not the most refined eggs royale that Iβve ever had, with the muffins a little charred and the liberal addition of hollandaise sauce combined with the runny eggs making for a pretty wet plate, but it was one that was RIGHT up my street.

Appetites thoroughly satisfied, we took a stroll along the lake and enjoyed watching the boats lazily row by.



We people watched by the fountain.


Before walking through Central Park, along the tree-lined avenues and past the street dancers, souvenir stalls, musicians and artists.




Central Park is one of my favourite places in the world. It is so different to the parks that we have in London, and is a real gem in the heart of the city.

Sounds like a perfect first day to me! More than a little confused by the summer vegetables with the eggs royale though! A shame that the Freedom Tower is office buildings – I agree with you in that something more could have been done.
I saw the memorial before it was fully finished – I’d love to go back and see it again.
Lauren xx | The Lifestyle Diaries
It was a loooovely morning π Haha, they were a bit random I must admit, but tasty enough! You should deffoes go back Lauren, it’s beautiful. xxx
I’ve never been to NYC (despite having been to 10 of the US states!), I’m so desperate to go! A friend of mine might be moving there with work, so I’m begging him to pleaseeee put pressure on his boss to let him go, just so I can go and visit haha! I’m not selfish in the slightest… *ahem* π
C x | Lux Life
Haha YES Catherine! Fully on board with this approach don’t you worry π Hence I sabotaged Michael’s trip! π xxx
Great photo of the Freedom Tower, I wonder if they didn’t put many references to 9/11 in case they were worried about another attack? I visited Ground Zero a few years ago and found it very moving
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
Maybe you’re right Suze but considering the memorial is just there I think it kind of draws the attention to 9/11 enough! The memorial is absolutely beautifully done though and incredibly moving – my mum and I were very choked when I first went! xxx
Ahhh so glad you made it to The Boathouse. Back when I was 17 Mom & Dad took me to NYC for my birthday and we “stumbled” across this and my mom still to this day says what a magical night it was. This may slightly have to do with a guy thinking she was a model (lawls) but it’s a beautiful setting π Would love to visit the Freedom Towers again. So powerful.
Loooove the boathouse! Such a beautiful restaurant setting, and what a treasure to stumble across – love when that happens! Have never been in the evening but can imagine it’s beautiful. xxx
Totally getting NYC envy! I haven’t been back in years and I need to go again!
Hope you have an amazing trip π
Tahira | http://www.ramblingsofafoodaddict.com/
I LOOOOOVE it, would love to live there for a while! All back now but it was great thank you! xxx
It seems like you’ve had quite an exciting first day. I’ve never been to New York but I heard some great stories about the Boathouse, so I can’t wait to visit it one day.
Enjoy the rest of your trip:)
http://www.thedutchcountryside.com
You MUST go to New York and make sure you visit the Boathouse! Both will blow you away π xxx
Soo happy to see one of my favourite places, the Loeb Boathouse in here! I agree, Central Park really is a special place π
Lovely photos!
Polly xx
Follow Your Sunshine
It’s so beaut π And thanks Polly! xxx
Loved this!! We actually went to the Loeb Boathouse while on our honeymoon π Champagne and brunch there was one of the most perfect ways to have our first day of honeymoon, we even witnessed another proposal!!
Lots of love,
Angie
SilverSpoon London
OMG that’s awesome!!! I’d love to see a proposal. It’s such an idyllic spot xxx