Christi and I took a trip to New York! Bucket list success! It was a fun filled week where we expanded our horizons and learned about the big city.
Philadelphia, PA
Rita's Italian ice! YUM
Her friend Dave was from Newtown and happened to be visiting home the same weekend. I think he planned it that way. It was great to have a local show us the sights of Philly. He was a fantastic tour guide and gave us the insider scoop!
Here are the Rocky Steps! :)
This is the Eastern State Penitentiary. If you visit Philly you should take time to do the tour! It was really interesting and had some great history!
and fantastic photo opportunities!
The Cell of Scarface
Alphonse "Scarface" Capone
Chicago’s most famous mob boss spent eight months at Eastern State in 1929-1930. Arrested for carrying a concealed, deadly weapon, this was Capone’s first prison sentence. His time in Eastern State was spent in relative luxury. His cell on the Park Avenue Block had fine furniture, oriental rugs, and a cabinet radio.
We rented bikes and rode all over the city. It was an amazing way to get around because we were able to get a taste of the "feel" of the city. Here is a park along the river that had a bike/running path. Beautiful views of the river too.
Here is the home we stayed at. We stayed with a local who rents out a room to tourists. We got it from airbnb.com which is a cool way to travel! Rent rooms, or rent out your spare room!
Pat's and Geno's are the two rivals in Philly. They are both known for their philly cheese steak. ordering food there made me nervous! They don't mess around and when you get to the front, if you don't know what you want, and order it the right way they will send you to the back of the line! See, intense!
In one view he has his hand stretched out to bless the city. From a different view it doesn't quite look the same.... 
We also spent a good deal of time at the Reading Terminal market eating food! There were so many delicious things to try!
We stopped at the Betsy Ross house, as well as the oldest row of houses still inhabited. It had beautiful cobblestone streets. When there is cobblestone you KNOW it's serious.
New York City,
Center of the Universe.
We saw Newsies on Broadway. One of my childhood favorites. They put a different spin on it, but I didn't hate it. 
Ripleys believe it or not. We bought a book instead of paying to go inside.
Ferry around statue of liberty to Ellis Island. We didn't get off at the statue. I wish I had a better picture of the statue! I just can't find it, but know I took one.
Walked half way across Brooklyn bridge
The 9/11 memorial is finally finished. It was easy to feel the sacred nature of what is represented here. Names of all those who lost their lives were carved into the stones around the two fountains representing the two buildings.
We took a tour up into the empire state building at night which was really cool!
We also saw flatiron and went to the top of the rock during the day. There were very cool views of central park.
In the grand central terminal we stood in the corners and whispered back and forth to each other. Very cool part of architecture!
Richard and Rachel were there the same weekend so we caught a Yankees game with them! The were playing the Oakland A's. I remember it being an intense game and I think the Yankees won.
My Pal Michael is living in NYC and I was so glad we could meet up with him! He showed us around Central park, and this cook walking trail above the city in between the buildings. I can't quite recall what it was called but it was very pretty. Thank goodness for locals to open your eyes to places other than tourist traps. :)
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