We spend our last day in New York on the water.
We found out about the East River Ferry just as we were about to head to the Subway. But, well, as it happens, a cruise to Brooklyn was a lot more appealing than getting down into a smelly, stuffy tube station…
So up on the boat we went, leaving Manhattan and the UN Headquarters behind.
Not only was the boat a much more weather-appropriate mode of transportation, but you truly get a hell of a view for your buck!
Bridge after bridge, the waves slowly led us towards the financial district. 
Soon after, we landed in Brooklyn, where we walked along Brooklyn Bridge Park until we got hungry and raced off to the legendary Grimaldi’s.
The queues testify of how famous this family-run restaurant is with locals and tourists alike. 
But considering they served us that beauty of a pizza, can you really blame them? 
Fuelled up, we walked up and down the street, in and out of shops (including the more than adorable Dabney Lee stationary store!) while chattering happily.
After beating around the bush bridge for hours, we finally decided to cross it. 
It was on my ultimate New York bucket list (just like every other first time tourist to New York) and I must say it did not disappoint. 
Feeling as small as insects, we wandered around the financial district, marvelling at each of those giants of iron and glass.
The World Trade Center Memorial was probably the most emotional part of this whole trip. The contrast between the towering skyscrappers and the two massive hollow fountains marquing the locations of the two World Trade Center Towers is truly heartbreaking.
We topped the day with another cruise aboard the Staten Island Ferry.
A first trip to New York wouldn’t really have been complete without a look at the Statue of Liberty, would it?
iconic
NYC Day 3 – Central Park, The Upper East Side and Times Square
Early birds will be rewarded if they visit New York in the Summer. Because it tends to get so hot in the afternoon, you can’t really beat an early stroll around the city.
We started off our day reviving some elementary school memories in the form of flag guessing at the UN Headquarters…
We then strolled through the streets and over to the Rockfeller Plaza for a bit of early morning shopping.
We strolled through the streets, pointing at every single building and taking in as much as possible.
After a quick pit stop at Ess-A-Bagel (831 3rd Ave between 50th and 51st Street) to pick up food for an improvised lunch, we marched straight up to Central Park to find a quiet spot to tuck in.
Fuelled up, we continued our exploration and quickly stumbled upon Conservatory Water, where kids and parents alike gather to sail miniature boats. 
We sat to rest our poor worn feet and observed the boats dancing and racing on the pond…
… before leaving Wonderland behind to continue our journey.
We headed North to the New York Public Library…
… where we met this reading-addicted gent!
We were taking a quick look at the Guggenheim‘s quirky architecture when we heard our stomachs grumbling in unison.
We raced back to Broadway for a taste of the city’s best hotdogs at Gray’s Papaya (2090 Broadway), which is another of those New York cheap food gems you don’t want to miss out on. Certainly not the healthiest of meals, but that’s what holidays are for… right?
After lunch, we zigzagged through the street to burn off some of the calories and tick some more iconic buildings off our to-see list.
As the sun set and fell behind the horizon, we reached Times Square.
With our eyes wide open, we took as much in as possible until our head spinned, at which time we decided to beat a hasty retreat (or, as most people call it, dinner!)
Cake and Whisky 