I love New York City. I especially love Brooklyn, New York. From 2000 to 2011 I lived in first northern New Jersey (where my beloved Mithril was hatched), then midwood Brooklyn. Along the way I discovered places I never knew about when I was tourist back in the 1990s coming with my boyfriend to visit his family living in the area. Most of these places tourists never hear about. Allow me to share with you my top picks for going off the beaten path when in the area.
Carriage Rides at Columbus Circle, Manhattan
Okay, people have heard about these. And yes, they are mostly about tourists than residents. But I absolutely loved the carriage ride I took during a date in May 2011. Traveling around Central Park (Columbus circle is the southern edge of the park) it was not only romantic, but transported me back in time. A history-lover’s dream experience! It took me eleven years living in the area – barely more than an hour’s travel time from my apartments – to take the plunge and try one. Whether you are a tourist or resident, the experience is worth the price. Absolutely one of the best ways to spend an hour or two in Manhattan, especially if you love history. Nothing takes you back in time better than traveling in 19th century style. Plus the horses are generally very gentle and friendly, as are the drivers. Cost: between $40 and $150 on average, depending on the length of the trip you take.
Bryant Park (Midtown)
Located between 5th and 6th avenues east to west and 40 and 42nd streets north to south, Bryant Park always has something fun to do, depending on the time of year. In the colder months it hosts a public ice skating rink and a Christmas market in December. But it’s also just a nice park unto itself with the main branch of the New York Public Library sitting on its east side. Perfect place to sit on a sunny day and read your latest discovery from the library.
At 9.6 acres, it’s big enough to offer plenty of space to run, play, and picnic, but small enough to be accessible both in terms of time traveling and navigation. Reach Bryant Park by taking the B, D, F, or M to 42nd Street- Bryant Park or the 7 train to 5th Ave.
Herald Square (Midtown)
Located between 32nd and 34th streets and between 6th and 5th Avenues, most people are too busy taking the subway to notice the relaxing mini-park or town square above the station. Besides sidewalks to help you pass through quickly, the park has tables, chairs, and vegetation for a relaxing break from the flurry of activity around it. With New York Pennsylvania Station parallel to it at 7th Avenue, Herald Square is the very heart of Manhattan and one of the best if you want to meet a friend, catch some lunch, or wait outside for your Long Island Railroad, Amtrak, or New Jersey Transit train, all of those departing from Penn Station and just ten minutes away. The B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W trains all stop at Herald Square, as does the PATH train from New Jersey. With so much activity, it’s easy to see why people fail to notice this park, but it’s actually one of my favorite places with many happy memories attached. Next time you are in the area, take a few minutes to literally smell the roses there and take a relaxing break from the bustle of Midtown.
Madison Square Park (11 Madison Avenue)
Formed by the intersection of 23rd Street and Broadway and located between 23rd and 26th streets and Broadway to Madison avenues, Madison Square Park sits among some of the most iconic buildings in New York. Named for Dolley Payne Todd Madison’s husband, President James Madison, it is one of those great little parks that both tourists and native New Yorkers tend to forget about unless you work in the area as I did for about four years. Like Herald Square, you will find people cut through the park to get to the nearby subway stations, especially the 23rd/Broadway station for the R and W trains. Great food is everywhere just outside the park with plenty of benches in the park to eat lunch in. Madison Square Park is also well-known for its dog park and its proximity to the famous Flat Iron Building.
Step outside of the park slightly at 26th street about midway between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue and you’ll find what looks on maps like an alley way. This is one of those hidden gems most people do not notice. Instead of a simple walk-through to 27th street, you find a small park with round picnic tables, the chairs attached for comfortable seating even in windy weather. You can also sit on the ledges adjacent to the many flowers planted in the area. It’s a wonderful, out of the way spot to relax and eat any food you decided you wanted to take out to eat instead of fighting for seating in the cafes and restaurants.
Union Square (14th to 17th streets, Union Square West to Union Square East)
Union Square is best known for its subway hub below ground and its park above ground. Along the south and west edges, Union Square hosts of the largest of the metro area’s farmer’s markets – and most famous. Not only will you find farm fresh produce, meat, eggs, flowers, and baked goods – normal farmer’s market fare – but also many artisans selling their creative work, including custom drawn paintings popular with tourists. Upstate New York and Long Island based wineries frequent the market which is usually held twice a week. Most of these wineries offer free samples to customers which is especially nice and is usually successful in getting me to buy a bottle or five upon tasting them. It helps too that many of these wineries selling at the Union Square Farmer’s Market also have shelf space at the nearby wine shops along Broadway and 14th street. Walk around the square and inevitably you walk into Union Square Park which is one of my favorite places to relax. Artists are often to be found in the park proper as well any day of the week, many of them creating their masterpieces there when the weather is pleasant. Located very convenient to excellent shopping both within the confines of the Square properly and just outside it, I very much enjoy every trip down to the area. It’s convenient, relaxing, and simply a good time.
Trivia point: the grapevine perches in my main cockatiel cage and my travel cage were all bought at the Union Square Petco (44 Union Square East). Whenever possible, grapevine and java wood perches should be bought in store so you can personally pick out the least straight perch that will promote healthy feet for every bird in your flock. Of all the pet stores in NYC/greater NYC, this Union Square Petco is my favorite.
Fraunces Tavern (54 Pearl Street)
Fraunces Tavern is one of those great 18th century restaurant pubs that rarely gets noticed by tourists – at least the tourists who aren’t Revolutionary War history buffs. Originally built as a private house in 1719 and first established in 1762 by Samuel Fraunces as “Queen’s Head Tavern,” it operates as both a working restaurant/pub and a museum.
As a restaurant, I find the food reasonably good. With a lower Manhattan location, you can expect the prices to be a little higher than average – but not outlandishly. I’ve dined several places on Pearl Street and Fraunces Tavern is the same price range as its nearby competitors. But what sets this place apart is less the cuisine than its history. Like Minis Tavern in Savannah, Georgia (owned and run by Founding Mother Abigail Minis), Fraunces Tavern was a key gathering place for Patriots who opposed English rule, especially without a single American sitting in the English Parliament in Westminster.
In late November, 1783 George Washington hosted his farewell banquet to his officers in an upstairs room here, a room preserved and on display with period furniture, tableware, and so forth. The museum features this historic room along with several others filled with unique artifacts from colonial New York. In addition, the museum hosts lectures and special events in its Flag Room along with unique exhibitions – such as a visiting copy of the Magna Carta (October, 2009). These are an absolute must-see if you are at all interested in colonial or early republican American history.
Federal Hall (26 Wall Street)
Like Fraunces Tavern, Federal Hall is a must-see for those interested in the Early Republic. The original building on the site was completed in 1703 to serve as Manhattan’s City Hall. In 1765 it became home to the Stamp Act Congress and was taken over by the Sons of Liberty in 1775. In 1784, after conclusion of the American War of Independence, Federal Hall became home to Congress as it convened under the Articles of Confederation, beginning on April 13th, 1784. In 1789 it was renamed “Federal Hall” when New York City became the official capitol of the United States.
It was here that both George Washington and John Adams swore their oaths of office as president and vice president of the United States. It was here that the first sessions of Congress under the United States Constitution were convened. As a public National Park, the site is dedicated to celebrating and educating the public about the history of both the American Revolution and the Early Republic. It routinely hosts special events – some of my favorites ever – along with special exhibitions. On one occasion I was able to visit a tour of Medici family portraits that were shown in the many galleries at Federal Hall. On another, I attended a free lecture on how the English soldiers experienced the War of Independence.
Every time I go to Federal Hall I find something new and interesting. If you love history, this is one of those great places you must not miss.
Whatever your tastes, New York City has something fun and interesting going on – especially when you get off the beaten path and take a look at what is around you.
Laurel A. Rockefeller 