Summer Vacation: Taking the Amtrak to the Big Apple
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By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life. June, 2021. School is finally out. So what's next? For Cate, it's a trip with us, her grandparents, to experience New York City. We'll get there on Amtrak's Silver Meteor, leaving West Palm Beach and arriving at Penn Station in New York a little over 24 hours later. We have two sleeping compartments, one for me and one for Pam and Cate. Tickets? Check. Bags packed? Check. Okay -- let's go! |
Cate at the West Palm station
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AudioCate joins GIGI IN THE 561 to talk about her trip to New York.
Getting ready to leave.
Riding the rails.
Recapping the trip.
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Cate has the upper bed on the train.
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Making a stop in Savannah, Georgia
Photos/Video by North Palm Beach Life |
Stretching our legs in Jacksonville
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Day One: The Empire State Building
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After we got checked into our hotel on West 35th, we head out to one of the world's most iconic structures, the Empire State Building. Light rain is falling, so we buy a couple of umbrellas and head out.
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Cate, with the Empire State
Building in the background. |
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There's much more than just the ride to the top. The Empire State Building boasts a museum, gift shops and a detailed look at its history. Because it was a rainy day,
we were able to get right in. |
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When you're in New York, you have
to try the street food! |
Day 2: The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
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The second day was absolutely beautiful, perfect weather for seeing the Statue of Liberty. After breakfast at the corner deli, we grab a taxi and head for Battery Park, where we'll board a Statue Cruise Boat and head for Liberty Island.
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Day Two: Times Square and the M&M Store
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Cate got to visit New York once before, when she was 3. She still has great memories of going to the M&M Store in Times Square. So after lunch, we strike out for Times Square, about five blocks from our hotel.
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Day Three: The Museum of Natural History
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Our time in New York is literally flying by. It's day three already, and first on the agenda is a trip to the American Museum of Natural History, at 200 Central park West near 81st Street. To get there, we do what most New Yorkers do to get around -- take the subway.
We emerge at Theodore Roosevelt Park with tickets purchased online in hand. Cate loves science and history, as we do, and we can't wait to see this world-famous museum. 
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Cate on the stairs by the main entrance.
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Day Three: Harbor Cruise
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What better way to wrap up our New York visit than an evening cruise around New York harbor? We head for Pier 83 to meet the Circle Line boat. For the next two hours, we take in the New York skyline from the water.
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Pam and Cate at Pier 83.
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Day Four: Leaving New York
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It's been a whirlwind trip, and all too soon, it's time to pack up and head for the Amtrak Station for the ride back to Florida. What an amazing time! But it's not quite over yet.
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Cate goes full tourist look
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Panoramic shot inside the train hall. That's Pam and Cate on the far right.
A selfie at the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park
