I am Tony, one of the tour escorts working with Croswell. I have been traveling around the United States and Canada with the company since 2017 – loving every moment of it! I have had so many memorable experiences in places such as Durango, Colorado, Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, Washington DC, Banff, Canada, and, of course, New York City among so many more.

Each trip I go on is special because of the amazing people that join me as passengers. Even though I have been to New York City many, many times, the reward I get is by experiencing the city through the eyes of the folks on board with me…the wide-eye wonder as we pull through Times Square, the somber reverence of walking across the September 11th memorial, and the smile creeping across their faces as they take that first bite of a cannoli. This trip was no different.

Our first day was an on-the-road day. We left the Cincinnati area and headed east toward the Big Apple. Through the farmlands in Ohio, the Mountains in West Virginia, and the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. We ended up in eastern New Jersey, where we checked in to our hotel. We spent 3 nights at the Courtyard hotel.

After a good night sleep, we got up to a good breakfast and hit the road to experience New York City for the first time. After going under the Hudson River through the Lincoln tunnel (about 92 feet under the water’s surface) and popping out in mid-town Manhattan, we were suddenly surrounded by skyscrapers. Now we were experiencing the concrete jungle of one of the biggest cities in the world. We cruised up 8th Ave and picked up our step-on guide.

Our step-on guide took us around uptown Manhattan, including a beautiful stroll through Central Park. We walked down to Bethesda Terrace, getting our picture taken by the fountain. We walked along part of The Lake, taking pictures of the Bow Bridge and the tall buildings peaking over the trees in the distance. After getting back on board our motor coach, we took in many famous landmarks uptown. We saw the Plaza Hotel, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Times Square, and the most expensive street in the world – 5th Avenue. After a morning well spent seeing the upper parts of Manhattan, it was time to set sail for a river cruise. We boarded our boat at a pier on the western side of Manhattan Island. We traveled down the Hudson River, through New York Harbor, and up the East River. The views of the city skyline were amazing. From the building made famous by a giant ape, the Empire State Building, to the north, and then the tallest building at 1776 feet tall, One World Trade Center, reaching for the sky to the south, and then on to on to the statue of Lady Liberty standing proud in the harbor, our boat ride gave us breathtaking views of the city.

Our next stop was Rockefeller Plaza. We saw 30 Rock, famous for its television studios and broadcasting, and where the Christmas Tree stands during the holiday season. Folks that were interested in a little bit of a walking tour came with me along 5th Avenue for an up-close view of some of the landmarks and high-end stores along the famous avenue. Once we explored this part of the city, we climbed back on board the coach and went off to have a delicious dinner at Legend’s Restaurant.

Our first day could not be complete without a view of the city from above. So, we walked around the corner from the restaurant and went into the Empire State Building. Into the elevators we went and visited the observation deck on the 86th floor. The views of the city as the sun slowly sank over the horizon were absolutely stunning. The carpet of lights and bustling activity below stretched out in all directions. We could see The Statue of Liberty off to the south and a bright glow rising from the street among the surrounding skyscrapers marked the location of Times Square. After taking it all in, we went through the gift shop (of course) and out at street level. Then around the corner, back on the coach, and back to the hotel for a good night’s rest.

All of that and it was just the first day!

Our second day brought us more excitement as we took in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of New York. We started off the day with our step-on guide who took us around the downtown part of Manhattan. We saw Battery Park, walked along Wall Street, stood in front of the Stock Exchange, and visited Trinity Church among so many more landmarks. Then we had lunch in Little Italy, having a delicious Italian meal of baked ziti, chicken parmesan, and spaghetti with meatballs. Of course, we had fresh garlic bread and fantastic salads. Then, for dessert, came the cannolis.

Once we finished stuffing our faces, we walked through the quaint streets of Little Italy and got back on board the motor coach. Next thing we knew, we were standing at the base of One World Trade Center. This building was built on the location of one of the previous World Trade Center buildings. If you look straight up the side of the tower, it appears to rise forever – it’s an incredibly cool optical illusion. Then we walked across Fulton St. to what can be called ground zero. Today, there is a beautiful – and respectfully somber – memorial to those that were impacted or lost their lives by the attack on the Twin Towers. We spent some time exploring the memorial before going into the September 11th Museum. Built underground in what was once the parking garages for the Twin Towers, the haunting museum illustrates how the day unfolded as well as objects from lost souls and the towers themselves. Each artifact is accompanied by its story.

Our last activity of the day was time on our own. Some folks had purchased tickets to one of the many amazing Broadway shows. Others were content to do some shopping and have dinner on Times Square. There were two opportunities for travelers to go back to the hotel so if people wanted to just have dinner and go back, they could. If folks wanted to have dinner and catch a show, there was a ride for them, too.

Our last day was a day to sit back and enjoy the countryside as we travelled home. It was a lot of fun, and the group of passengers were a real treat to share New York City with. I very much love visiting the Big Apple, and when I can take so many awesome people with me, it makes everyone’s trip that much better.

From the Escort Seat of,
Tony Gettler

It’s About the City that Never Sleeps