I’m so lucky to have met so many wonderful friends through my photography connections.  Meagan Dwyer, a very talented photographer from just outside of the city, has become so dear to me.  She and her adorable children decided to come into the city for a visit again this month.  The last time they came, we had so much fun and her son especially was fascinated by the skyscrapers here in Manhattan.  I thought ahead and got tickets to visit Top of the Rock, an amazing observation deck at the top of Rockefeller Center, looking out 360 degrees over the city.  Meagan decided to keep this a surprise to her kids.

When I met them at Grand Central, Michael leapt up into the air when I told him we were going to the top of one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city, and Caroline very sweetly smiled and gave me a warm hug hello; at 4, I don’t think she quite understood where we would be going.  After a short walk, we found ourselves entering a pitch black elevator (they do a light show on the ceiling of the elevator, and it’s not super kid friendly…) where Caroline became quite frightened.  Meagan is such a wonderful mom and distracted her from the darkness while simultaneously sharing in Michael’s enthusiasm 🙂

Stepping out of the elevator, both kids were so excited to see the city below them.  It’s literally one of my favorite views in all the world.  The Manhattan skyline is just so iconic and breathtaking; I’ve seen it hundreds of times and I’m still not tired of it.  It was wonderful to take it all in from the kids’ perspectives, to use the tourist binoculars to take it all in, visit the 3 levels of observation decks including a VERY kid friendly interactive light room where the kids danced and laughed.  The sun shone warmly and we even took out jackets off (and yes, Michael decided to take off his sweatpants to reveal he had put on a pair of shorts that morning underneath, as well as his t-shirt!!!)  it really was a wonderful pre-spring sunshiny day!!

Psst!  Now that you’ve taken in the amazing view from Top of the Rock, please go check out the idyllic countryside in Scotland through the wonderful viewpoint of my friend, Sophie James from Bluebells on the Green Photography!

Here are a few more photos from our afternoon together in New York, outside of the 30 minutes on Top of the Rock:

(We went inside St Patrick’s Cathedral, played in a revolving door, and went to Times Square)