Pretty places to go in NYC?
#1Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/17/11 at 10:45pmI'm coming to NYC in July and I've been to Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and 5th Ave, but now I wanna take me and my parents around to some of the prettier, calming, and other under appreciated places that are still cool? Any suggestions?
Shunterk
Chorus Member Joined: 8/9/08
#2Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/17/11 at 11:41pmThe High Line. The second part just opened and from the pictures, it looks breathtaking. I say this as an environmental architecture student. Don't Miss The High Line.
#2Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/17/11 at 11:43pmWalk around the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park. It's beautiful this time of year.
ahhrealmonsters
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/10
#3Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 12:15am
All the way West at the Hudson River, beyond the West Side Highway, there are a bunch of little parks and shores. The one near Christopher Street, in the West Village, is absolutely gorgeous.
The expansion/renovation of Washington Square Park recently opened, and it's gorgeous, but quite crowded.
Explore Central Park. Go to Zabar's on the Upper West Side, get some sandwiches/other picnic food, and eat in the park.
A friend of mine swears by Tompkins Square Park.
Aside from parks, I don't know if your parents are into LGBT history, but a walk through the West Village (Stonewall, Gay Street, countless other gay bars) is great. There are tours, but I'd recommend just going yourself. Also, explore downtown Manhattan. Soho has a lot of cobblestone streets that you normally wouldn't expect to see in Manhattan.
Oh! The church on 110th near Columbia (the name is skipping me) is absolutely gorgeous!!!
#4Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 12:19am
Take the Staten Island Ferry to Staten Island, go nowhere, and then catch the breathtaking view back, preferably just before sundown. Pack your own nice picnic lunch, bring a bottle of wine - ferry ride is FREE!
nomdeplume
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/05
#5Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 1:17amIt is St. John the Divine Episcopal Cathedral at 111th and Amsterdam Ave.
#6Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 1:20am
The Bronx Zoo! Fabulous! Not (everything) great is in Manhattan).
The Cloisters.
The Brooklyn Promenade.
siny
Broadway Star Joined: 2/8/07
#7Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 1:43amI second the Cloisters. You won't find a prettier, more calming place in NYC.
spike3
Leading Actor Joined: 5/17/11
#8Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 8:40amThe Cathedral of St John the Divine is the church just off of W.110, by Columbia. Morningside Park, right there as well is nice, waterfall and all. Just be aware of your surroundings. Take a walk in Riverside Park too.
#9Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 10:03am
I've just only now discovered Hudson River Park, as ahhrealmonsters already suggested (the park past the West Side Highway). I have no idea why I've never been there--I absolutely love it. The High Line imho is an acquired taste, but I'm getting to love it.
I'd also recommend the Boathouse Cafe. GORgeous. Touristy, but go off peak (before dinner) and have nibbles or drinks and enjoy the view. Really amazing. The food is well, kind of awful, to be honest, but the setting is incredible. Stick to apps and beverages and go for the atmosphere.
Q
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/3/05
#10Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 11:04amHave to throw in a 'third' for the Cloisters. You asked for pretty and calming - this is it.
pli1018
Broadway Star Joined: 4/16/07
#12Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 11:53amI'm a huge fan of Governor's Island, which is a great place to explore for the day.
spike3
Leading Actor Joined: 5/17/11
#13Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 12:10pm
the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center That is located downtown by the WTC site.
Regarding a post about the Staten Island Ferry. Stay off at all costs. In the first place the crowds are insane on the weekends, and the lowest of the low locals tend to inhabit the boats and terminals on the weekends. You still want to take it? Get on a boat between 7 and 9 AM.Less crowded and you will be able to enjoy yourself.
#14Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 12:58pm
Yes, Spike3. DEFINITELY ONLY on weekdays midmoring! (Staten Island Ferry)
Also, check out GOLDSTAREVENTS.COM (free membership) and ck. out the OThER fantastic, kinda unknown (bargain) boat trips. I live here and go on them ALL the time.
#15Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 4:59pmThe Bethesda Fountain in Central Park is a MUST. It's my favorite place in NYC. I can't believe nobody has mentioned it yet!
#16Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 5:08pmThat's my favorite, too, Em. I got engaged there. :)
#17Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:09pm
Aw!
#18Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:12pm
The tiny Frick Collection has more masterpieces per square foot than any museum I know, and its Palm Court is a lovely oasis of calm.
If you find yourself on the upper east side, check out Carl Shurz Park on the East River. It's the site of Gracie Mansion, where the mayor lives when he's not a billionaire with a better place. It has beautiful rotundas and a stone bridge and a statue of Peter Pan from the 1920s. And there are benches overlooking the river. The best part is even on weekends it's never crazy crowded like Central Park.
#19Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:31pm
The Promenade in Brooklyn Heights with a nice luch on Montague street. Or the Promenade and lunch at Grimaldi's and Kayaking in the new Brooklyn Bridge Park! Spectacular views of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge!
#20Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 7:11pmI suggest the Cloisters also. I also like sitting in Madison Square Park. Just something about it. They have a really cool face sculpture on the lawn right now and I love looking at the Flatiron Bldg.
#21Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 7:34pmUncageg, I work in the Flatiron--and I love looking at Madison Square Park from my window!
#22Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 7:57pmReg, I am going down there tomorrow to get some food from Eataly. Just discovered it the other day and I have to have some more of their focaccia.
#23Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/18/11 at 8:42pm
I love Madison Square Park too. I love that they have that penned in area for dogs. I like sitting near it and dog watching.
I also was on the new area of the Highline park today. It was nice, for the most part. I liked walking and seeing building structures that I probably would never pay attention to down on street level. But, my gripe is how crowded it was in certain areas. It was also a tad bit disturbing seeing parents stripping their children down to diapers and underwear to play in the area that was meant for cooling your feet down in water.
#24Pretty places to go in NYC?
Posted: 6/19/11 at 2:38pm
The Cloisters and The Frick Collection are amazing. It's staged as a mansion filled wall to ceiling with incredible artwork. It's probably my favorite art museum in the city.
I'm also a big fan of the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
Videos








.jpg?format=auto&width=200)