New York City Day 2

We slept in a bit. So, by the time we got off the Staten Island Ferry it was time for lunch. We went to the White Stag Tavern which was just a few blocks from the ferry terminal. They had several lunch specials advertised and it looked like an interesting place.  The White Stag or some other tavern must have occupied this space for many decades.  There was an old, long wooden bar that ran the length of the establishment.  Along the opposite wall was a make-shift kitchen and buffet.  A few tables occupied what little room there was left on the ground floor.  The second floor which had more table seating was closed for business; however, Carla was allowed to go up since there was no women's restroom on the ground floor.  The men's room on the first floor was about the size of a small walk-in closet and the plumbing reminded me of my grandfather's house. This was definitely not Applebee's, "Your Neighborhood Bar and Grill". It was a cozy, quaint and full of men who work in the Financial District. Carla was the only woman in the place with the exception of the cute Irish gal tending bar and running drinks to those sitting at tables. The beer was cheap and the food was good (enough).



Trinity Church

After lunch, we toured Trinity Church and St. Paul's. Both were beautiful each in their own way as they are so different.

Trinity Parish received its charter from King William III on May 6, 1697. The first church built on the parish grounds was completed in 1698. It was destroyed in the Great New York City Fire of 1776. The second church was torn down in 1839 after being weakened by heavy snows.  The current Trinity Church built in the Gothic Revival style took seven years to construct and was completed in 1846.  It was the tallest building in the United States until 1869 and tallest building in New York until 1890.  The Tiffany stained glass windows and carved marble alter are splendid works of art.

The Trinity Parish also built St. Paul's as a chapel in 1766. At the time, it was the tallest building in New York. In its day it was a modern building in the simple, elegant Georgian style.  The pew George Washington used while in New York is replicated as is one for the Governor of New York. The simple, white painted wood interior glowed due to the bright electric lighting and sun shining through the windows. This was quite a contrast to the dark, dimly lighted, ornate Trinity Church with its stained glass windows and heavy stone walls.

We took the Big Bus tour of Brooklyn after our church visits. It was quite interesting and again a great way to become familiar with NYC. Brooklyn is the largest of the five boroughs. The tour guide guaranteed us the best cheese cake to be had was at Junior's which also had locations in Grand Central Station and across from the Shubert Theater.  We opted to complete the tour and get our cheese cake afterward which we did at the Junior's across from the Shubert. We had the original cheese cake with strawberries on top. No left-over or doggy bag from Junior's.  We'll be back.