December 13, 2024
Climbing the Vessel at Hudson Yards
I went out for a walk to Hudson Yards.
My first stop was the Vessel (see on map). I bought a same-day ticket at the small office nearby for $10.89. The building had once been closed for a sad reason, but it recently reopened.
I decided to climb it on foot—it was quite a workout, and I got a bit out of breath. There’s also an elevator available.
The structure glittered beautifully in the sunlight. From the upper levels, I looked down into the core of the building and could also see the Hudson River beyond.
Walking Along the High Line
After leaving the Vessel, I entered the High Line (see on map).
I came across a huge pigeon sculpture (see on map)—though oddly enough, it’s titled Dinosaur. Its realistic colors made it stand out.
The High Line was bright and sunny, a perfect day for a walk.
I also passed by an apartment building designed by Zaha Hadid.
At the end of the High Line, I stopped by Chelsea Market (see on map) and ate tacos at Los Tacos (see on map). Two tacos cost $13.45. They were small, so not very filling, but spicy and delicious!
Exploring Little Island
After lunch, I walked to Little Island (see on map).
The lawn area was closed off—maybe under maintenance—so it felt more like a park for strolling than for picnics.
I noticed there were pampas grasses swaying in the breeze, glowing in the sunlight. I hadn’t realized New York had them too. The scene looked beautiful with the golden light passing through the leaves and grass.
Visiting the Whitney Museum
Next, I went to the Whitney Museum of American Art (see on map).
I entered using the Go City New York Pass (official site). The coat check was located in the basement.
Many of the works had erotic themes, insects, or chaotic imagery—pieces that made me think things like, “Has spring rotted and exploded as a curse?” I actually liked how bold and provocative the collection felt.
Unlike the Museum of Modern Art I visited two days ago, the Whitney wasn’t crowded, so I could take my time enjoying the exhibits. But when I returned to the lobby, it was suddenly packed.
Later, I saw a sign outside and realized that Friday nights are free admission. I kind of wished I hadn’t found that out.
Watching Annie at Madison Square Garden Theater
In the evening, I met my friends at Madison Square Garden Theater (see on map) to see the musical Annie. A ticket for one adult cost $39.
I had been looking forward to seeing Whoopi Goldberg perform, but although she played an important role, she didn’t sing very much. So overall, my impression of the show was just “okay.”
The girl playing Annie had a good voice, but her singing didn’t move me deeply.
Honestly, yesterday’s Back to the Future musical was far more entertaining.
