Manhattan In The Rain: What To Do?

We're in Manhattan for a couple of days and it's raining.
Yes, raining -- again!
We've had an exceptionally wet summer. Only last week, some parts of our area got eight inches of rain in just one day.
But we've had these plans to come into Gotham for some time and we weren't about to change them just because it's raining.
Would we prefer sunny weather? Of course we would.
But, not to worry. New York provides lots to do, no matter the weather.
After checking into the legendary Algonquin Hotel on 44th between 5th and 6th we headed on over to a certified national historic landmark, Grand Central Station. On the way over we saw former Senator (and former vice presidential candidate) Joe Lieberman entering the Harvard Club on 44th. He briskly exited a cab steps ahead of us and was greeted cheerfully as he entered the club.
Anyway, our trip to Grand Central was twofold: We wanted to see spectacular photos of the massive east end connection being constructed 18 stories below the ground to connect the Long Island Railroad to Grand Central from the east side of Manhattan. And, we wanted to pay homage to this great, gilded edifice during its centennial. Yes, this is the 100th birthday-anniversary of Grand Central Station.
Of course, it was lunchtime so, while at Grand Central we headed to the concourse restaurant area and ate at one of our favorite haunts, Junior's -- the famous Brooklyn eatery noted for its burgers, deli delights and other treats.
All we can tell you is this: Junior's half-pound hot dog must be seen (and eaten) to be believed! We'll try to post a photo of it (with apologies to Anthony Weiner as THIS wiener beats all the competition) as soon as we can.
But, back to Grand Central. There will be events and activities throughout the rest of the year at Grand Central to mark this major milestone for an American treasure. For more information go to www.grandcentralterminal.com/centennial.
From Grand Central we headed on over to the main branch of the New York Public Library at 42nd and Fifth for a wonderful new exhibit on children's literature.
The ABC of It, Why Children's Books Matter is an examination of why children’s books are important: what and how they teach children, and what they reveal about the societies that produced them. Through a dynamic array of objects and activities, the exhibition celebrates the extraordinary richness, artistry, and diversity of children’s literature across cultures and time.
We can't even begin to tell you how much you will see in this outstanding exhibition but we can tell you that you will see original manuscripts, drawings, historic books and letters and some of the library's most prized processions -- the original stuffed animals that inspired the Winnie The Pooh books by A. A. Milne. This includes Pooh bear, Tigger and the others.
The exhibition is worthy of your attention if only for this. But it contains so much more.
The ABC of It draws on collections across the Library to present the literature for children and teens against a sweeping backdrop of history, the arts, popular culture, and technological change. The books and related objects on view reveal hidden historical contexts and connections and invite second looks and fresh discoveries. They suggest that books for young people have stories to tell us about ourselves, and are rarely as simple as they seem.
For more information go to http://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/abc-it.
And, BTW: Both the Grand Central photo exhibit and The ABC of It are free!
We'll keep you posted as we dodge the raindrops and continue to enjoy lil 'ole Manhattan. More to come . . .