Picture Overload! A Small Vacation To New York City

Jenn (my wife for those of you that don’t already know) had a business trip up to NYC last week, so like any good husband…I headed up on Wednesday night to go hang out in the big city with her for a couple of days after her work obligations were complete. We have been trying to find the time to get up to New York City for awhile as her aunt and uncle live off Park Avenue and her grandma is in New Jersey. Luckily for us…her aunt and uncle were gracious enough to let us stay with them to visit and take in all that is New York City.

I knew I was going to be taking a ton of pictures, so as soon as we got there…I went to the camera store and picked up a Sigma 10-20mm F4 super wide angle lens to make sure I could catch all of the action. What can I say?! I am a camera geek at heart too…

Our Vacation To New York City

So here is my recap of NYC as it was my first trip ever to the big city. I think we shoe horned in as much as you can see into a 4 day long weekend as you can. I am pretty sure that we covered almost every square foot of NYC and my knees can feel it! I ended up taking over 500 pics, so here are the highlights.

The NYC Subway

We used the subway for everything. It was really surprising to me how easy it was to use. In fact, it was easier to get across town in NYC than it is to get to the restaurant down the street from my house! The ease of transportation is addictive and makes you want to have that exact same thing at home. Plus…I even got to see a couple of cheesy magic acts on a couple of trips.

Grand Central Station in and of itself is simply amazing. The way they are able to move that mass quantity of people through numerous trains is mind blowing. It is no wonder that other cities try to emulate what NYC does for public transportation.

Times Square In New York City

The first night we actually stayed in the New Yorker because that is where Jenn had been staying all week. Being two blocks from Times Square…you know we had to go check it out. We actually ended back up in that area 2 more times over the course of the trip.

Times Square is basically a huge tourist attraction and it makes me feel like I am in downtown Tokyo with all of the bright light signs. It is a pretty cool site to sit back and look at from the outside. We snapped a couple of shots including one on the red steps that are built for discount show tickets.

Ground Zero – World Trade Center Site

During this trip, I really wanted to take some time to see Ground Zero. I think it is very easy to forget how horrific the events of September 11th are and we need to keep that constant reminder of what we are really up against. Thousands of people have given their lives in the attacks, volunteering, serving our cites and serving our country to protect the freedoms that we take for granted in the US on a daily basis.

The size of the site is much bigger than you could ever imagine and now it is a huge construction site. They are building a new tower with a park spanning the rest of the site dedicated to those that were lost. When it is done, it should be incredible.

We also went through the chapel next to the site where they served over 4,000 meals a day to help with the volunteer effort. It is mind blowing what took place in that area not that long ago.

Eternal Flame

Badges of Police and Fireman Lost In September 11th Attacks In Chapel

The Financial District

The financial district has always appealed to me…for obvious reasons (economy major). It was really cool to take walk around and watch all of the people and see the buildings. Much of the US economy is based out of those city blocks.

New York Stock Exchange

Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty

You can’t make a trip to NYC and not see the Statue of Liberty right?! We waited in line in the blistering cold to get on the ferry and head over to the two islands. This trip actually had special importance to Jenn as both sides of her family came through Ellis Island. We found both names and took some pictures. It is a surreal experience to sit and think about how many families are in the United States today because of Ellis Island.

Shopping In NYC

As you can probably guess…we did some shopping while we were up there. NYC has to be every woman’s dream. There are also a couple of cool guy toy stores like B & H Photo, Adorama, FAO Schwarz and some of the coolest Apple Stores you have ever seen (great for this complete Mac geek).

Related post: New way to do Greek Island Hopping introduced by Hostelbay.

Soho Apple Store (old Post Office)

Glass Apple Store Across from Central Park

Cobble Stone Streets In Soho

FAO Schwarz “Big” Keyboard

Biking In NYC

As you guys already know from Bike198.com, I am a huge bike geek. So…I had to take a couple of shots of bike commuters and several bike related things around New York City.

New York City Sights

One of the things I love about visiting new places is seeing new things (especially old new things). In Atlanta, everything was burned to the ground during the Civil War, so we do not have any really cool old buildings. As you go throughout New York City, there is some incredible architecture that you just don’t get to see in the south. Plus…there are some other famous places that you hear about all of the time but then get to see in person.

Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

Flat Iron Building

Empire State Building at Night (view from aunt/uncle building)

St. Patricks Cathedral

Snow in Central Park

It really was an incredible trip and a much needed time away from the keyboard. My wife and I got to spend several days together and see family which doesn’t happen much these days with everything going on. One of these days…I just might have to get a place up there!

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25 comments

dan February 23, 2010 - 10:30 am
First off, sick Sigma lens. I love the reduced distortion Sigma is notable for. Secondly, too bad all the trails are covered 2 ft deep in snow. There are some great xc/freeride trails around here in NY/NJ. Looks like you both really covered a lot of ground. Us locals get discouraged even at the thought of having to travel downtown and then back uptown. Ha! Best of luck, Dan (@Argyle_dan)
Robb Sutton February 23, 2010 - 10:32 am
I have heard you guys have some insane trails up there. Would definitely beat looping Central Park on the road bike! The Sigma really surprised me. I am loving the shots it puts out.
Charlie February 23, 2010 - 11:47 am
Great looking photos! I had a similar Tokina ultra wide angle lens that mysterious broke a few months ago. I'm really missing it!
Robb Sutton February 23, 2010 - 2:19 pm
A friend of mine uses that Tokina. Great lens.
Peter February 23, 2010 - 2:02 pm
Awesome pics! Love all the wide angle shots - that really makes me want to get one of those bad boys!
Robb Sutton February 23, 2010 - 2:23 pm
It's worth it...but then again...I am a camera nut so I think it is all worth it.
Timo Kiander February 23, 2010 - 3:48 pm
This was a cool post! Me and my fiancee are making a trip to NYC on April :)
Ian February 24, 2010 - 10:03 pm
I especially love the shot of Grand Central Station. The blur on the sides really captures the business of the commuters!
Robb Sutton February 25, 2010 - 7:26 am
I think that is my favorite one too.
Melissa February 24, 2010 - 10:36 pm
Robb: Just found your blog and love the shots and Trip Report of NYC. Sounds like you guys did everything perfectly!!! Would love some of your shots on my site (all about NYC)...let me know if you want to sell or use them/link to you! That camera is spectacular!
Robb Sutton February 25, 2010 - 7:26 am
It helps when you have locals (that are also family) to show you around. We got to see a lot we wouldn't have if we were trying to find our own way around those couple of days. Thanks! I had a blast shooting there. The hard part is trying to find something that someone else hasn't already pointed a camera at.
curtis chappell February 25, 2010 - 1:09 am
luv the cathedral shot mate! awesome! so, when you bring your wife (and camera) to Australia, I look forward to showing you some of Sydney's equivalent sites....it ain't the big apple, but it is the opera house and more!
Robb Sutton February 25, 2010 - 7:23 am
That place was insane. It was also a reason I am now looking at D300S bodies to replace my D80 to get better high ISO performance. It was really dark in there and very photogenic.
Andy February 25, 2010 - 3:44 am
Love the photos Glen Very inspiring...especially for someone saving up for a trip to the USA soon Andy
Angie (Losing It and Loving It) February 25, 2010 - 9:57 am
Love the photos! Looks like ya'll had a great time in NY. That flat iron building looks so neat.
patrick February 25, 2010 - 11:11 am
Kickass roving reporter style shots Robb! I LOVE the cathedral shot...I think you know why ;)
lorrie February 28, 2010 - 11:44 pm
thanks for all the great photos i feel like i went to ny
Chip March 3, 2010 - 10:26 pm
Hey Robb, the pics and recap are great. And that lens is amazing. Come back anytime!
Robb Sutton March 4, 2010 - 10:35 am
Thanks for letting us invade your house!
Scott Webb March 5, 2010 - 6:10 am
In your e-mail, for some reason I thought you said you turned a profit in 12 hours due to the lens. what has that about? I didn't see anything mentioned here. Nice pictures! If I could make some money, I'd be selling my 10-20mm sigma and buying a 14-24mm nikkor now that is hot.
Robb Sutton March 5, 2010 - 7:06 am
It was 'even though' I bought the lens. My direct costs over the time period were not as big as my profits. I don't make any money directly off of photography so the lens didn't really make me anything. That 14-24 Nikkor is incredible but EXPENSIVE! If I was selling my shots...I'd think about it, but I am just a recreational shooter so the Sigma does a great job for my needs.
Mike Crimmins March 8, 2010 - 7:15 am
I'm a little bit behind on my blog reading, but it looks like an awesome vacation. I miss New York way too much and I'm hoping to get back up there to see the city again and watch a Yankees game or two this summer. The Flat Iron building is one of my favorites in the city.
Tony July 11, 2010 - 6:12 am
great photos, thanks for sharing this . These are must see places if you are visitng New York for a short break. Next time you might check some of the interesting musems in NYC, you can find more info here: New York breaks
Lizeskridge7 November 11, 2011 - 2:38 am
Beautiful pictures! You really did cover a lot of ground! Next time you are headed this was you should check out Family In New York! They specialize in custom private New York Sightseeing tours . You have already covered the typical New York sights and they can build a tour just for you that will take you off the beaten path!
Benjamin Klein August 22, 2012 - 8:54 pm
Looks like you had a great time! Thanks for posting your pics!
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