Last weekend we were up in the Big Apple for a quick trip to meet up with a college buddy of Tom. I took full advantage of this to suggest a couple of things we hadn't done before - touring the Statue of Liberty and exploring Central Park. Coincidentally (or not) they both have Doctor Who connections. Funny how that works...
So... Central Park.
First, get their app -- Central Park. This was much more helpful than just using goole maps to find our way through the park. It has an interactive map with GPS, so you know exactly where you are. Everything's tagged with a pop-up for more information -- walks, points of interest and luckily bathrooms. There's even a guided audio tour.
We took the subway to 81st street and entered the park close to the half-way point, by the Museum of Natural History. We strolled down the paths while the kids climbed all over the large rocks all over to make our way around the Great Lawn and by the Turtle Pond where lots of people were enjoying the lovely weather.
We spent three hours walking to the south east end of the park, and we could have easily spent another three hours (especially since the kids saw the rides at the Victoria Gardens amusement park). But what I really wanted to make sure we saw were places that they used during the Angels Take Manhattan episode of Doctor Who.
So, back on our walk just south of Belvedere Castle is the winding, overgrown Ramble area which leads to the Lake. At the center point is Bow Bridge, used by Matt Smith as he ran back through the park at the end of the episode to find the last page of the Melody Malone book he ripped out - and Amy's afterword.
Once you cross the bridge it's back to lush green grass. Walking on the eastward path will lead you straight to the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace - and perhaps a few weeping angels. When Rory walked through here it was deserted, which is how he got zapped back to the 1930's by a cherub from the fountain.
This fountain...
Right behind the fountain the terrace stretches under the road with a beautifully tiled ceiling and walls. Rory and the Doctor both walked thorugh here.
If you walk up these stairs, they'll lead you to the Mall walk, with statues of poets and musicians on the side paths. And lots of "performance artists" all throughout - including one guy dressed as Batman riding a bike around. The Doctor sat on one of the benches to read Amy's afterword.
Keep following the walk south and you will be pointed towards the Wollman Rink. Right next to the Dairy are two large hills of rocks. It'll be easy to spot the larger group where they filmed Amy, Rory and the Doctor sitting. You should be able to see this in the background. (I found this photo from TardisMusings. Click on the photo to be taken to that post with more info on US filming for Doctor Who).
Of course, the building behind them is no longer under construction. Here's my kids posing on the rock.
"Afterword, by Amelia Williams. Hello, old friend, and here we are. You and me, on the last page. By the time you read these words, Rory and I will be long gone, so know that we lived well, and were very happy. And, above all else, know that we will love you, always. Sometimes, I do worry about you though; I think, once we're gone, you won't be coming back here for a while, and you might be alone, which you should never be. Don't be alone, Doctor."
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