Did You Ever Lose Your Hotel?

We did. Our hotel’s address was 95 West Broadway (at Chambers). What I didn’t notice was that Broadway actually ran north and south. After our first morning of shopping, we returned to Broadway and Chambers only to find that our hotel was not there. We walked up and down the block, around the block. No hotel. Checked the map. Broadway and Chambers. What an odd feeling. So we asked someone where the Cosmopolitan was. They didn’t know, but suggested it might be on West Broadway, not the real Broadway. Sure enough, just a few blocks west was West Broadway and our hotel. Both Broadways run parallel. Very confusing to visitors – at least to us.  

The Financial District/Ground Zero/Staten Island Ferry. 
We cabbed it south of Ground Zero to the brand new, clean Staten Island Ferry terminal. Took the 25-minute ride past the Statue of Liberty to Staten Island and then back again. A relaxing way to see the New York skyline. Best of all, the ferry ride is free. 

We headed back toward our hotel, wandering through the financial district, past the impressive New York Stock Exchange with its massive flag draped across the face of the building. Walked past historic Fraunces Tavern – a touch of Early American architecture in the shadow of skyscrapers.

Then Ground Zero. Even though business as usual (I think) goes on around it, Ground Zero is still a somber sight. And as we walked down narrow streets like Chambers, Vesey, Cortlandt and Greenwich, the videos came to mind – a rush of people running down these streets with billowing debris and smoke at their heels. It is chilling to recall what happened there that day. 

NEXT: Discount Designer Shopping and more 

TIPS: 1) Get a Map. The Internet is filled with map options you can print. Rand McNally has a site. Pick up a guide from AAA.

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