Him and Her: Top 3 New York Experience

Let it be said, Carter and I did not waste any time in New York City this summer. We hit pavement almost everyday exploring the sights and generally being annoying tourist who like to act like New Yorkers. Carter has high hopes that we'll live here again in the future and after a truly spectacular summer I think I can see it.

Him

1. Bronx Zoo - Carter and I crowned the Bronx Zoo as THE ZOO OF ZOOS after we spent one afternoon killing ourselves se we could see every. single. animal. We failed, alas, because this zoo happens to also be the largest zoo in America, but we did see more animal activity and gorillas than we ever have. The gorillas, man. The gorillas are where it's at.
2. Natural History Museum - Not only is this the museum where we first learned about the mantis shrimp and saw a giant squid, but also Carter had every boyhood dream fulfilled in the dinosaur exhibits. 
3. Financial District - Walking to work as the sun hit the financial district was Carter's greatest daily joy. He also loved working at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York where he worked with people who have and still do influence financial policy. 

Her

1. Shakespeare in the Park - I skeptically waited in line for a couple of hours for free tickets but even though I don't consider myself a "shakespeare person" and there was a torrential downpour during the second act, I triple-L loved it. Shakespearian actors are a league of their own and these particular actors were obviously the best. 
2. Central Park - It's big, it's beautiful, and the north woods remind me of western Oregon. It's worth it to spend at least a few hours, if not a full day enjoying the park.
3. 9/11 museum - New York has no shortage of world-class museums, so the fact that I chose this one as my favorite should speak volumes to it's quality. I loved that they choose to make the final message of the museum one of hope and endurance. Democracy and freedom can't be crushed by the will of a few violent men.

Aaaaaand just for fun a one-week to-do list for NYC (that you'll never be able to do in one-week):

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Statue of Liberty (reserve tickets in advance to enter the statue) Ellis Island	Wall Street NY Stock Exchange Federal Reserve Gold Tour 9/11 memorial and museum (free tickets Tuesday after 4:30)	American Museum of Natural History Bronx Zoo (free on Wed)	Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge Park Juliana's Pizza High Line Walking Tour

Day 5	Day 6	Day 7
MoMA (free entry Fridays after 5) Grand Central Station Tour New York Public Library St. Patrick's Cathedral Top of the Rock Times Square	Metropolitan Museum of Art The Cloister's Museum and Gardens	Central Park (Bethesda Fountain and Conservatory Garden) Riverside Church Riverside Park (go at dusk) Abyssinian Baptist Church Visitor’s Service (11am on Sun)