Times Square

(Tuesday) Today we set through the morning heat for the "Top of the Rock", as the viewing platform on top of the Rockefeller Center is known.  The Rockefeller Center is a large block (spanning three city blocks) of buildings completed in 1933, the tallest being the 70 storey building at 30 Rockefeller Plaza (also the home of the "30 Rock" TV show).  On our way to the Rockefeller Center we ticked off a few more iconic locations: Grand Central Station, the public library, and 5th Avenue.  In this area 5th Avenue is wider and grander than the surrounding streets, with lots of big shops and lots of people.

New York Public Library

Brian on 5th Avenue

The clock on Grand Central Station

We paid our money and rode to the top of 30 Rock in a high speed lift, stepping out onto an open glass-surrounded level with views in all directions.  In fact there are two more levels, all open and each stepped-in from the one below so if you fall you just fall one step.  The smallest, highest level has no glass around so provides unobstructed views.  It was a beautiful clear day with just a gentle wind, so very pleasant.  To the south is the Empire State Building, "down town" Manhattan where the twin towers used to be, and the Statue of Liberty in the distance.  To the north is Central Park, a huge rectangle of trees and lakes.

From the highest level of 30 Rock

The Empire State, and us

Panorama!  Empire State in the centre

Back at ground level we realised we were not far from Times Square, so decided we still had enough energy left to make it there.  We were looking for the Official Visitor Information Center, which we found just north of Times Square, on Broadway.  Broadway is the long street which cuts diagonally down through Manhattan, through the rectangular grid layout of all the streets (east-west) and avenues (north-south).  Using the information we obtained there we went around the corner to the theatre showing "Jersey Boys" to ask about tickets.  Walked out with two tickets to the 2pm show the next day.

We ate at a little Italian restaurant called "Sam's Place" near our hotel, recommended by Google, which was good.  Most people seem to be able to understand us if we speak clearly.  Most people also seem to come from some other country - Italy, South America, or beyond.