Picture-perfect day in NYC!

Like I’ve said many times before, it doesn’t pay to worry about the weather forecast.  Originally the NYC forecast for Saturday showed an 80% chance of rain and a chance of thunderstorms.  But Saturday turned out to be a beautiful rain-free day with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70s.  Perfect sightseeing weather!!

I try to find at least one new thing to do each time I go to NYC.  On this trip I walked to 36^th and Madison to visit the Morgan Library and Museum which houses the collections of banker Pierpont Morgan. 

The McKim Building, completed in 1906, was the original library.  In 1924, J. P. Morgan, Jr., opened the building to the public as a memorial to his father.  Over the years, the collections continued to grow and an annex was added.  In 1988, a Madison Avenue brownstone that had for a time served as a Morgan residence was added to the complex. 

The complex further expanded in 2006 to include a performance hall, lobby entrance on 

Madison Avenue, new café and restaurant, and a gift shop.  (Can’t have a museum without a gift shop, right?)  Unfortunately, this expansion, which was called the Renzo Piano Project, looks ridiculously out of place stuck in between the spectacular brownstone and the original library.   What a shame to put such a hideous contemporary structure between two magnificent historic buildings.

On a positive note, the interior of the McKim Building underwent an extensive renovation a few years ago and the results are spectacular.  The East and West Rooms are impressive and, while I tried to capture it on video, the rotunda must be seen in person to truly appreciate.

If price is no option in your travel budget, splurge on a meal in the Morgan DiningRoom.  During my visit, I saw just one lone soul dining there.  I’m guessing the waiter didn’t need much time to count up his tips at the end of his shift.  Those with a more modest budget can dine in the Morgan Café in the glass enclosed central court, although the ambience there leaves a lot to be desired.   

I stopped in the gift shop to see if there was a book about the history of the Morgan and was surprised that there was not one on the shelves.  I did, however, find exactly what I was looking for on Amazon.com (at what I’m sure is a lower price than I would have paid in the gift shop).

Strolled through Bryant Park which is the best place to go whenever you want to just sit and relax for a while.  In the summer, it's the perfect place to find shade from the sun and during the winter, it's fun to stroll through the holiday shops and watch the ice skaters at the free skating rink.


Of course, nice weather also brings tourists and they were in Times Square in full force.  And when the tourists come out, so do the performance artists, including the ever-popular Naked Cowboy.  Gotta give the guy credit—he’s done so well that he actually has a franchise now.  For a mere $5,000 fee (and 20% of your tips!), you can don a pair of Naked Cowboy tighty whities and strum your way to fame and fortune.  Ladies, don’t despair—there’s a Naked Cowgirl franchise as well.

Next I was off to see Harvey which is playing a limited run in the building that used to house the world-famous Studio 54 nightclub back in the late 70’s.  Wasn’t impressed so much with the building, which I found to be dreary and depressing, but was completely wowed by the show.  The entire case was wonderful and Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory) was absolutely terrific as Elwood P. Dowd, the role that Jimmy Stewart played on film.   If you can get to NYC before the show closes on August 5, go see it!

Ended the day with another fantastic meal at Frankie & Johnnies on West 45th.  Believe it or not, I actually do eat at other restaurants in Manhattan, but when I’m in the mood for a great piece of salmon, there’s no better plan than F&J.  The fact that I am so warmly welcomed by every member of the staff whenever I go there (especially Mario!) is just icing on the cake.  And speaking of cake, the peach crumble, is FABULOUS!

Our trip to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for the special Star-Spangled Sailabration event is coming up on Saturday, June 16.  Only have three seats left on the bus—call us quickly if you want to come along!