Wednesday June 4, 2025
We pulled up anchor from our stunning harbor hideaway and cruised deeper into the iconic waters of New York Harbor, accompanied by our trusty Looper friends aboard Goldilocks and 2nd Miss-Conduct. After a couple of scenic hours, we tucked into a well-protected anchorage where all three of us picked up mooring balls—our floating homes for the night.
The plan? Head into the city that never sleeps and soak up as much as we could in an afternoon. This was a big deal for our friends on Goldilocks—they’d never been to New York and were a little apprehensive. Naturally, we offered to be their city guides.
We didn’t make it into Manhattan until after 2 p.m., after hopping a train from Great Kills and then catching the Staten Island Ferry—complete with postcard views of Lady Liberty herself. First stop: Ellis Island. Walking through the halls of immigrant history was a powerful reminder of just how many journeys began right there.
From there, with stomachs growling, we set our sights (and taste buds) on Katz’s Deli. But when we got there just after 5, the doors were shut tight for a private event. Closed until 9 p.m. Ugh! So close, yet so pastrami-less.
But all was not lost—2nd Miss-Conduct, who had been to NYC before, had a fantastic Plan B. Off we went to Ellen’s Stardust Diner, right near the Broadway theaters. This retro spot is famous for its waitstaff made up of aspiring Broadway performers who belt out show tunes (and more!) between delivering burgers and drinks. The place was electric—singing, dancing, and such infectious energy that we completely forgot about missing Katz’s. Bonus: the food was great too!
After dinner, we wandered through the neon wonderland of Times Square, soaking up the sensory overload and snapping more than a few photos. By the time we made our way back to the mooring field and climbed back aboard, it was just after 11 p.m.—our feet were tired, but our spirits were sky-high.
A full day in the Big Apple, and fun was absolutely had by all.
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