Autumn takes Manhattan is not the name of the latest Muppet caper but what happens when the season grips the world’s most robust city. On a rainy day, the leaves’ fiery ombre colors assume a more industrial tint, melding with the city’s urban culture. Getting around with the addition of a portable umbrella that duals for crowded sky space, inevitably experiencing its demise in a trash receptacle from the havoc bestowed by wind tunnel blows, along with the constant splatter of cool wetness, is a natural deterrent for a city day. Mustering on and you will find a worthy adventure heroes in quests are familiar with. Begin at the top, literally, at Top of the Rock that offers 360-degree Midtown views 70 floors above street level. We swiftly pass through all checkpoints due to the lack of visitors who forfeited to the rain, given a gentle warning by the ticket attendant that sections of the observation decks are closed, and if we would like to continue. We’re game.
Westside views with skyscrapers and Central Park grant an interpretation of the city like no other.
The second elevator shuttles us to the top with space age lighting above, adding to the expectation of the views ahead. We stop directly at the entrance and it seems deserted, almost illicit from the red streaming lights. An encounter with the security guard grants us access to the observation deck. We step onto the windy terrace, almost losing the umbrella that’s been so faithful up to this point, and are sloshed with rain. The views may not be crisp and autumnal but they offer a more gothic beauty, eerily set in this month of ghouls and witches. While Rockefeller Center has its Art Deco modernism, through the film noir lens of a rainy day it seems apt to have a gargoyle perched aside us to take it all in.
The rainy day provides a mythical view that’s perfectly set for October.
We leave inspired and hungry. There’s only one place worthy to extend this enchanted mind frame: Serendipity 3. This iconic comfort food destination that has been around since 1954 offers a more classic appeal than the trendy birthday party venues that are routinely popping up on Yelp. Enter through its secretive doors and you are assaulted by happiness. There’s an explosion of today’s drugstore finds with sparkly unicorns and colorful erasers for sale. You are seated at an old school fountain soda table with a haphazard arrangement of Tiffany pendant lamps, mirrors, bright walls adorned with silver caps that have a futuristic candy dots effect. If fairies were to raid a place after hours, Serendipity 3 would be the place.
Classic and modernism decor collide in the main dining area of Serendipity 3.
The menus are oversized with seductive choices that appear to be inspired by Alice’s tea party on a sugar fix. The waiter is patient from our hesitation to decide. We order the French Toast Challah and Strawberry Fields Sundae. Once the food is served, we realize this is a marathon level of consumption–whether it will be finished is unknown. The table is cleared for the delivery of the drugstore sundae. There’s a moment of awe. It doesn’t look real with its pyramid of rippled cream and glistening berries, a slice off cheesecake protruding from the side. It sparkles and, upon closer inspection, you’ll see a coating of iridescent glitter–perhaps left by the after hour fairy raiders.
A cozy tale by the train clock distinguishes the experience as a memorable occasion.
Unfinished dishes are collected, which is a trend here, our bellies and minds full of enchantment. The day may not have been a caper with frantic muppets escaping evil doers, but it certainly held the basis of an itinerary for one. We leave on the train exhausted, wet and thrilled.
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- French challah toast is a sweet primer for the Sundae.
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- Strawberry Fields Sundae with a slice of cheesecake as adornment.
A common challenge for parents is to break their kids from their electronics, and what better way to do that than a day devoted to metro activities. Ask your child what they remembered about playing on their iPad and the response will be unremarkable. Ask how they recalled that rainy day in the city and the superlatives will easily be shared.
