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Gray Line NY Downtown Loop
(Gray Line NY Tours Website)
Times Square to Lower Manhattan and Back
Gray Line Visitors Center
777 Eighth Avenue (btw. 47th and 48th Streets)
New York, NY
1.800.669.0051
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
July 28, 2007
On a sunny Saturday morning, end of July, I had the pleasure of traveling, non-stop (visitors could hop on and off at numerous points, but I chose to follow one tour guide), two and ½ hours, on a Gray Line NY Sightseeing Downtown Loop, traveling downtown from Times Square, via the West Side, and returning back to Times Square, via the East Side. This tour map is brilliant, as it encompasses all the highlights of Manhattan, from about 50th Street and down, to the Statue of Liberty Ferry. Even though it was warm, there’s a cool breeze blowing, on the upper level of the smooth ride of this shiny, double-decker red bus, and our tour guide, Noah, was exceptionally astute. He was a true New Yorker, lots of information, flawless delivery, and oh, so subtly witty. He offered historical insights, such as Soho means “south of Houston Street”, Noho means “north of Houston Street”, Dumbo means “down under the Manhattan Bride overpass”, and Nolita means “north of Little Italy”, plus much more.
The visitors on this Gray Line NY Downtown Loop were from all over the US and around the globe. One gentleman next to me toured with his family and friends from Madrid. I gave him some additional insights into Village Jazz Clubs, as we drove downtown, passing Sweet Rhythm, Village Vanguard, and Blue Note. The Manhattan neighborhood themes of this truly professional tour included Times Square, Macy’s, Madison Square Garden, Flatiron, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown, Ground Zero, Wall Street, Battery Park (Ferries), South Street Seaport, Lower East Side, East Village, United Nations, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and back to Times Square.
Noah took time to ask for questions, although the visitors seemed quite content with his detailed and friendly presentation. He also took time for visitors to disembark and embark, as the Gray Line NY bus stopped at numerous locations, so that the tourists could explore the various neighborhoods and historical venues. Noah even pointed out the renowned St. Paul’s Chapel and Trinity Church in the Wall Street venue, with special details of their significance, such as St. Paul’s 200 year-old churchyard. We saw cobble-stoned streets in Soho and South Street, and we saw breathtaking greenery and horse-drawn carriages at Central Park South. What seemed most obvious was that Gray Line NY tours could enhance the weekend of even the most veteran of New Yorkers, not just the tourists. What a great way to get around the City, with a bird’s eye view for fine photography, and the opportunity to hop on and off the open double-decker buses, tour and dine in Soho or Chinatown, drive further, take a sailboat ride or cruise on the River, and then even stop at the Waldorf for tea. Gray Line NY Downtown Loop buses are so much more fun than a yellow cab, and one ticket allows you 24 hours of travel, at your whim or convenience.
Call 800.669.0051 or visit www.NewYorkSightseeing.com and reserve your tickets for this fascinating and relaxing tour. Tell them you saw them on RobertaOnTheArts.com. Watch this page for upcoming On Location features of additional Gray Line NY Sightseeing Tours, such as Uptown, Brooklyn, Cloisters, and the shimmering Night Tour.
Gray Line NY Visitor Center
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Gray Line NY Visitor Center
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Leaving Times Square
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Driving Past Macy's
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Madison Square Garden
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Empire State Building
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Flatiron Building
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Met Life Insurance Tower
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Driving through Greenwich Village
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Driving through Soho
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Noah Guides the Tour
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
St. Paul's Chapel
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Trinity Church
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Passing a Gray Line NY Tour Bus
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Driving Past South Street Seaport
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
An Asian Restaurant near Chinatown
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Driving Past the United Nations Buildings
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
The Chrysler Building
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
St. Patrick's Cathedral, Far Side
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Grand Army Plaza
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Driving Past Central Park
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Central Park South, toward Time Warner Center
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Driving Past Carnegie Hall
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Park Central Hotel
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Arriving Full-Circle, Back in Times Square
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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