Enjoy New York!
New York City : Summer 2014
A where to go, what to do Guide
Courtesy of Mr. JFK Matthews & The New York Story Class
Summer Streets – Three Saturday’s in August (Aug. 3, 10, 17 – 7:00 AM -1:00 PM) Lafayette St, onto Park Ave, up to 72nd St & Central Park is closed to traffic & becomes a walker, biker & skater paradise. NOT a street fair (although at certain intersections food, drink, rest facilities are available) the emphasis is a delightful city walk.
Go to nyc.gov and search for Summer Streets
Governor’s Island –if you’ve never been - this is the summer to explore an amazing island in the harbor minutes from downtown. Free ferries available hourly on weekends & Monday holidays. The ferry terminal is next to the Staten Island Ferry terminal. There are various fairs & festivals all summer – and the island is a walker & biker paradise! Also explore a great War of 1812 Fort – Castle Williams.
The Staten Island Ferry – this magnificent, cool breeze filled ride is FREE! You can’t beat the harbor & skyline views. And a twilight or night ride? Beautiful!
The Brooklyn Bridge – walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a great way to spend a sunny day or enjoy a harbor sunset. The Bride itself rises like a gothic Cathedral –it’s still one of the great wonders of the world.
Brooklyn Bridge Park & Empire Fulton Ferry Park – one of the newest jewels of NYC – this park has to be seen to be believed! Amazing skyline views, hidden coves, a carousel, food stands, the park goes on and on. It’s under the Brooklyn Bridge. Also while there- walk the cobbled old industrial streets of the DUMBO neighborhood. (Yes – DUMBO – Down Underneath Manhattan Bridge Overpass), enjoy a chocolate with Jacques Torres.
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade – at the foot of Montague St. this much loved treasure is the perfect place for a romantic stroll, a quiet afternoon reading or a picnic lunch on a park bench. (pick up sandwiches & a black & white cookie from Lassen & Hennings – 114 Montague St.) Be sure to also explore the charming back streets of Brooklyn Heights.
Battery Park City – created on landfill from the original WTC construction, this lower Manhattan neighborhood has wonderful parks, cafes, museums (The Skyscraper Museum), memorials (The Irish Hunger Memorial), great people watching a wonderful yacht cove. It’s the perfect summer day!
The new One WTC & the 9/11 Memorial – if you haven’t been yet – this might be the time. The Memorial itself is deeply moving, reverent & appropriate. Check on line for ticketing & times. www.911memorial.org
As for One WTC – the spire went up a few weeks ago – brining the building to its touching & symbolic height of 1776 feet.
Brooklyn Flea – amazing flea market, arts & crafts, food – Brooklyn Flea has it all! This is a great new Brooklyn tradition. On Saturdays it’s in Fort Greene – on the track behind Bishop Loughlin High School (Lafayette Ave/Vanderbilt Ave) and on Sundays it’s on the waterfront in Williamsburg. (At the foot of N.6th St) – L Train to Bedford Ave.
Smorgasburg – a Brooklyn Food Flea Market! Saturday’s on the waterfront in Williamsburg, and Sunday’s in SUMBO at a unique site called the Tobacco Warehouse. The food stands are amazing, the vibe lively & fun!
Red Hook – give yourself a chance to explore this unique old Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood as it recovers from Hurricane Sandy. Plenty of little shops, cafes, art galleries. Unrivaled maritime views of the harbor. We especially recommend The Red Hook Lobster Pound, Hope & Anchor & Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies.
Go to Brooklyn.about.com and search Red Hook.
Roosevelt Island – take the F train, or the tramway – and you’ll find great places to walk, unique midtown views, and head to the southern tip of the island and pay a visit to New York’s brand new official memorial to FDR – Four Freedom’s Park – a simple, symbolic and quite stunning memorial that celebrates the legacy of a great New York president.
Gantry Plaza State Park – if you haven’t walked the LIC waterfront – now is the time! The old berths for unloading LIRR cars, newly built piers, grassy fields – it’s beautiful - and again – stunning East River & midtown views – and breathtaking at night as well! Plenty of nearby cafes & restaurants – we heartily recommend The Waterfront Crabhouse. (2-03 Borden Ave)
There’s also plenty of nearby parking for the park – and it’s a short walk from the Vernon-Jackson stop on the 7 Train.
The High Line – from the Village, through the old Meatpacking District (now MePa), through Chelsea – this stunning new jewel of NYC just gets better and better. At the north end (28th St) you’ll see the beginnings of a huge new project – Hudson Yards – and the planned third section of the High Line. At the south end (Gansevoort St) – see the amazing new home of the Whitney Museum taking shape. The High line itself also has food & drink stands. It’s especially a delight in the evening as the lights twinkle on the Hudson River.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – if you haven’t been in a while – the Met rooftop in the summer is a delight! Remember – you can pay what you wish for admission. The official price is ‘Suggested’ – so even a dollar or two is acceptable.
The Frick Collection – Fifth Ave/69th St (and on Sundays from 11:00 – 1:00 it’s ‘pay what you want!’ – This is a great museum/ mansion – and the headphone tours are highly recommended!
The National Academy Museum (Fifth Ave/89th St) – This little known gem is actually quite amazing. See the beautiful landscapes on the second floor – and the real treasure is a room on the fourth floor of 100 great paintings –it’s a stunning room!
Hudson River Park – stretching along most of the river the length of Manhattan Island – this is a wonderful place to bike, jog or stroll, with plenty of diversion, interesting piers and art exhibits.
Other Random suggestions:
*Eat seafood at the more than 40 restaurants on City Island in the Bronx
*Head to Sheepshead Bay, explore the fishing boats & eat at Randazzo’s
*Coney Island is back – and better than ever. Have a famous Nathan’s!
*Explore Green – Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn – a treasure of monuments, landscaping & views
*Of course – Central Park, Central Park, Central Park!
Helpful websites to keep up with NYC:
www.timeout.com/newyork - great listings of all cultural events
www.gothamist.com – great for nyc news
nycurbed.com – fascinating on real estate & neighborhoods
ny.eater.com – excellent for food & restaurant trends
forgotten-ny.com – amazing tours & explorations of nyc neighborhoods.
Nyc.gov – the ultimate resource for all things New York
Theatermania.com – great discounts to nyc theater events.
www.clubfreetime.com – an interesting listing of free events in nyc – and by joining ($19 a year) you also get lots of free tickets to other events.
So – realize – millions of tourist will pay big money to travel and stay here this summer – BUT! – you’re already here! So take advantage of this amazing city. Go.
e-mail your suggestions and we will post mjohnson@stjohnsprepschool.org
