On the way home from a recent trip to Bermuda, my flight schedule was such that I had to wait four hours at JFK Airport in New York. Rather that sit in the airport all those hours, I chose to take a fast taxi ride down to Manhattan along Pier 6 on the East River, where I boarded a helicopter flight that spent 15 minutes exploring lower Manhattan. It was WONDERFUL, incredibly smooth, big windows to shoot through, and it ended far too soon!
The Midtown Tunnel was fun and colorful as it curved along the bottom of the East River.
One of the first sights we passed by was this flagship store for Macy's, which is the site that usually hosts the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in November of each year.
Once out of the tunnel the Empire State Building loomed in the distance.
The giant mast at the top of the building has been in several movies. It also serves as a very good lightning rod
Before too long I would be seeing this view of the Empire State Building as I hovered along at 1500 feet.
Those not lucky enough to fly,or those who chose not to do so…..enjoyed seeing lower manhattan from the water.
Those not lucky enough to fly,or those who chose not to do so…..enjoyed seeing lower manhattan from the water.
Shortly after take off we were approaching the Statue of Liberty.
Viewed from 500 feet she looked beautiful!
Turning to look behind me, I could see the East River, the orange Staten Island Ferry boat that goes back and forth across the river several times each day. The first pier behind the Staten Island Ferry is Pier 6 where we met our helicopter and then rose up above the river.
To my left I could see more of the buildings of lower Manhattan. Behind some of these clustered buildings is Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange.
One World Trade Center is rising up in the form of two buildings, to replace the twin towers that were destroyed horrifically on September, 11, 2001.
This is now the tallest structure in New York city, even though it is not finished yet.
The 843 acres that make up Central Park create one of the largest urban parks in the USA.
Central Park even has a large lake!
The Intrepid is a floating sea, air, and space museum permanently docked along the east side of the Hudson River. It is the home to a collection of war planes, as well as the French super sonic Concorde in the lower left. It is soon going to be come the permanent home to the Space Shuttle "Enterprise" which is currently resting in a special hangar at JFK Airport in New York, until it can be permanently installed on the Intrepid. In the movie, "National Treasure," actor Nicholas Cage jumped off the Intrepid near the Concorde jet to escape from the FBI that was chasing him.
Across the Hudson River, and opposite Manhattan is Hoboken, New Jersey, and this city park is built on pylons and sits out in the Hudson River!
This old rain station, still showing its tracks behind the building is a portion of Liberty State Park, and currently is the point where passengers get on and off the Circle Line Ferry boats that go back and forth across the Hudson to Manhattan.
When most immigrants came to the USA, they stopped first for several days at Ellis Island to be processed, and to be certain they were not carrying serious diseases. Nearly every adult in the United States has a Grand Parent, or Great Grand Parent who came through Ellis Island. It is a National Monument now, and one can go there and search records for family history projects.
As the helicopter return to Pier 6 for landing I could see the massive stone towers of the famous Brooklyn Bridge
It was a wonderful experience and a fantastic ride! Go to http:www.heliny.com to see more about the helicopter ride options, as well a some very good videos of the helicopters in flight. I took another "very fast" cab back to JFK airport, and easily made my connection for my return trip back home to Ames. It was an exciting time for sure!!
Here we are about to enter the Midtown Tunnel and go under the East River, coming out on the other side. That is the Empire State Building 
The Midtown Tunnel was fun and colorful as it curved along the bottom of the East River.
Shortly after take off we were approaching the Statue of Liberty.
Viewed from 500 feet she looked beautiful!
Turning to look behind me, I could see the East River, the orange Staten Island Ferry boat that goes back and forth across the river several times each day. The first pier behind the Staten Island Ferry is Pier 6 where we met our helicopter and then rose up above the river.
One World Trade Center is rising up in the form of two buildings, to replace the twin towers that were destroyed horrifically on September, 11, 2001.
This is now the tallest structure in New York city, even though it is not finished yet.
The 843 acres that make up Central Park create one of the largest urban parks in the USA.
During the last week in May New York city is host to Fleet Week, whereby various ships from the USA Navy and other countries of the world, provide an interesting collection of ship tours for the visitors.
This photo shows the "Norwegian Star" on the left, and the Holland America, "Veedam" on the left. Both of the ships were in Bermuda while I was there, and they are very large!
Across the Hudson River, and opposite Manhattan is Hoboken, New Jersey, and this city park is built on pylons and sits out in the Hudson River!
This old rain station, still showing its tracks behind the building is a portion of Liberty State Park, and currently is the point where passengers get on and off the Circle Line Ferry boats that go back and forth across the Hudson to Manhattan.
When most immigrants came to the USA, they stopped first for several days at Ellis Island to be processed, and to be certain they were not carrying serious diseases. Nearly every adult in the United States has a Grand Parent, or Great Grand Parent who came through Ellis Island. It is a National Monument now, and one can go there and search records for family history projects.
As the helicopter return to Pier 6 for landing I could see the massive stone towers of the famous Brooklyn Bridge
It was a wonderful experience and a fantastic ride! Go to http:www.heliny.com to see more about the helicopter ride options, as well a some very good videos of the helicopters in flight. I took another "very fast" cab back to JFK airport, and easily made my connection for my return trip back home to Ames. It was an exciting time for sure!!
2 comments:
great photos!
I REALLY enjoyed the view Bob! Thanks for sharing!
Lyn
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