New York City: Day 3

September 6, 2025

Life in Pictures: Slowing Down in the City

Welcome to Life in Pictures: New York City Day 3. After a whirlwind second day, we slowed down with a Big Bus Tour, a quiet lunch, a final stroll through Times Square, and capped it off with an evening at The View.

Hard Rock Café Breakfast

After the whirlwind of Day 2, we knew we needed a slower start. Our first stop of the morning was the Hard Rock Café, where we fueled up on a big breakfast surrounded by walls of rock-and-roll history. Everywhere we looked, there was something to take in — from guitars and costumes to signed memorabilia from some of music’s biggest names.

Signed guitar from Adam Levine of Maroon 5 displayed in a frame at the Hard Rock Café in New York City. — A signed Adam Levine guitar adds to the Hard Rock Café’s collection of music history.

Framed photo and plaque of the rock band Disturbed on display at the Hard Rock Café in New York City. — Chicago roots on display — memorabilia from the band Disturbed at Hard Rock Café New York.

Wax figure of Madonna at Madame Tussauds, standing in front of a wall of guitars inside the Hard Rock Café in New York City. — A nod to New York’s music icons — Madonna stands surrounded by guitars inside the Hard Rock Café.

Big Bus Tour

After breakfast, we decided to see New York in a different way — from the top of a Big Bus Tour. It was one of those hop-on hop-off tours, but instead of jumping off at different stops, we stayed put and let the city come to us. From our seats on the upper deck, we rolled past some of the city’s most iconic views.

The Empire State Building rose above the skyline — towering, timeless, and still commanding attention in a city full of skyscrapers.

View of the Empire State Building surrounded by other buildings in New York City. — Looking up at the Empire State Building from the Big Bus Tour.

Down below, the streets buzzed with energy — a blur of yellow taxis and splashes of unexpected color.

Yellow taxis and traffic on a busy New York City street, viewed from above. — A blur of yellow taxis — everyday life in New York seen from above.

Colorful mural painted on a city building wall in New York. — A splash of color — street art that brightened our ride through the city.

Soon the bus carried us into the financial district, where symbols of the city stood side by side — the Charging Bull surrounded by crowds, and the gleaming tower of One World Trade Center rising above it all.

Charging Bull statue in New York City surrounded by tourists taking photos. — The Charging Bull — Wall Street’s busiest photo spot.

One World Trade Center skyscraper rising above surrounding buildings in New York City. — One World Trade Center, a modern landmark shining above the city.

Staying on the bus turned out to be exactly what we needed: fresh air, big views, and a slower way to experience the city.

Lunch at Playwright Celtic Pub

By midday, we were ready for a pause. We ducked into the Playwright Celtic Pub just off Times Square — the kind of spot where you can sit outside, relax, and recharge before carrying on.

Entrance to Playwright Celtic Pub in New York City. — A welcoming stop just steps from Times Square.

Plate of coconut shrimp and a spritz cocktail at Playwright Celtic Pub in New York. — Coconut shrimp and a spritz — just what we needed to refuel.

Cora sitting at an outdoor table at Playwright Celtic Pub in New York. — Cora enjoying a quiet break before we headed back into the city.

One Last Walk Through Times Square

Before returning to our hotel at the Marriot Marquis, we took one last stroll through Times Square. The energy of the city was nonstop — costumed characters, candy shops, and quirky surprises tucked into every corner. It felt like the perfect “only in New York” moment before heading into the evening.

Gorilla character in the middle of Times Square with billboards in the background. — A larger-than-life gorilla surprising the crowds in Times Square.

Exterior of Hershey’s Chocolate World in Times Square, featuring Pokémon displays. — Hershey’s Chocolate World — where even Pokémon made an appearance.

Statue of Liberty–themed chicken lamp in a shop window in Times Square. — One of the quirky, only-in-New-York window displays we stumbled across.

Capping Off the Night at The View

Back at the Marriott Marquis, we capped off the night at The View, the hotel’s revolving restaurant — the only one in New York City. As we sat down, the city slowly moved beneath us — lights flickering on, the skyline shifting with each quiet turn. It was the perfect way to wind down Day 3, watching New York transform from day to night.

andle and drink on a table at The View restaurant in New York City. — A candle, a drink, and time to simply soak it all in.

Aerial view of New York City skyscrapers at dusk, with colorful lights beginning to glow. — The View slowly rotated, giving us a moving panorama of the New York skyline.

Day 3 was about slowing down… If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out Day 1 and Day 2 for the earlier parts of our New York adventure.

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