Day 2 NYC: Downtown, Boats, Bridges & Rain 🌉🚢🌧️

My second day in New York was packed. I started at the World Trade Center, walking over to visit the deeply moving 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The reflecting pools, set in the footprints of the Twin Towers, were somber and powerful—a place of quiet reflection in the heart of the bustling city. From there, I headed to Wall Street. I joined not one, but two lines to get my chance to touch the famous Charging Bull statue for that classic tourist photo—gotta feel that capitalist energy at its source! 💹🐂 Afterward, I caught a distant but clear view of the Statue of Liberty standing proudly in the harbor. Next up: a scenic ferry ride from Lower Manhattan to Dumbo, Brooklyn 🚤. The views of the skyline from the water were absolutely stunning—definitely a must-do! Once in Dumbo, I made a beeline for that iconic Manhattan Bridge view on Washington Street. Yes, it’s a total Instagram hotspot, and yes, I joined in and snapped a bunch of photos! 📸✨ The area had such a cool, creative vibe with its cobblestone streets and converted warehouses. But then... the weather turned. 😅 It started drizzling, then pouring, and I was completely unprepared. Things got pretty messy and chaotic as I hurried through Dumbo, wishing I could’ve explored more. Determined to stick to the plan, I walked onto the Brooklyn Bridge. Let me tell you—it was no joke! The wind picked up, the rain came down, and the bridge felt looooong. 🥶 By the time I reached the other side, I was soaked, chilled, and seriously hungry. It was a true "hangry and damp" traveler moment. Still, there’s something magical about seeing this city from its famous bridges and waterways. Even a rainy, exhausting day in New York feels like an adventure. 🌃❤️ #NYC #TravelDiaries #BrooklynBridge #DumboNYC #WallStreet #911Memorial #CityViews #FerryRide #UrbanExploration #RainyDayAdventures #NYCscape #Wanderlust #IconicViews #CityLights #TravelGram