July 20, 2004 – Gray Line New York Sightseeing's deluxe Uptown double decker bus tour now stops at the historic Fort Tryon Park. Gray Line is the first New York City sightseeing company to offer daily and hourly services to this often overlooked part of Manhattan. The new service entitled the Uptown Loop / Fort Tryon Park / Heather Garden / The Cloisters Tour showcases Manhattan's northern sections, with stops from the famous museums and churches to the vibrant neighborhoods of Harlem. Highlights of the tour feature The Cloisters, the branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Over five thousand works of art dating from 1000 A.D. are in exhibit, including illuminated manuscripts, stained glass, metalworks, enamels, ivories and tapestries. The Cloisters is nestled inside the historic Fort Tryon Park, site of where Margaret Corbin, the first American woman soldier during the Revolutionary War, fought until she was severely injured. The former British Fort is named after New York's last colonial governor, William Tryon, and designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., son of the man who designed Central Park. The park features spectacular views of the George Washington Bridge, the Palisades, the Hudson River.
Thomas Lewis, President of Gray Line New York Sightseeing, said: "There are countless visitors citing Central Park as their favorite stop in New York City – it is an rare opportunity that we are able to introduce this hidden treasure to the rest of the world. Prepare to allow us the pleasure of taking your breath away!"
"For years I have been extolling the beauty and hidden treasures of Northern Manhattan," said Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, "The Cloisters is one such destination. I am glad that Gray Line New York Sightseeing is now taking tourists to this important part of our city and showcasing the beautiful sights and wonderful neighborhoods of our great borough."
"Upper Manhattan has long been known for its beautiful historic parks, and now Gray Line's newest tour will introduce tourists and New Yorkers alike to the beautifully restored Fort Tryon Park and Heather Garden," said Commissioner Benepe. "I encourage visitors to make a day of their tour by stopping by The Cloisters, enjoying a meal in the New Leaf Café, and taking a long walk in the garden, with views of the spectacular Palisades."
"We are delighted with the inauguration of the new bus tour that will provide increased access to The Cloisters," commented David E. McKinney, President of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The Cloisters is an uptown jewel of New York City, a totally unique adjunct to the Metropolitan that shows off the museum's medieval treasures in a breathtaking setting. This hop-on, hop-off bus tour will be a great benefit to visitors to New York, as well as the most seasoned New Yorkers, as they explore northern Manhattan." Customers will be able to hop-on and hop-off at the park, Heather Garden, The New Leaf Café and The Cloisters at leisure from the double decker bus, as well as other stops in Harlem, the Museum Mile and mid Manhattan. Hourly departures are scheduled for this tour.
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Editor's Notes:
Gray Line New York Sightseeing operates double-decker buses, motorcoaches, trolleys and mini-buses throughout New York City and has been operating sightseeing and ground transportation services since 1926, offering everything from daily tours to special event planning, and is one of the largest bus operators in the region.
Gray Line New York Sightseeing is a Stagecoach Group company, of Perth, Scotland. Stagecoach Group is a leading international transportation group, with operations in the UK, the USA, Canada and New Zealand. The Group's businesses, which include bus, train, tram, express coach, and ferry operations, operate around 16,000 vehicles and rolling stock and employ around 30,000 people. In the UK, Stagecoach is one of the biggest bus operators and also runs the largest rail franchise, South West Trains. Formed in 1980, the company floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1993 and now has an annual turnover of around £1.3 billion.
