Pretty places to go in NYC?

[phantomcrazy14]

Posted: 6/17/11 at 10:45pm

I'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]

Posted: 6/17/11 at 11:41pm

The 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.

[Kad]

Posted: 6/17/11 at 11:43pm

Walk around the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park. It's beautiful this time of year.

[ahhrealmonsters]

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!!!

[thetinymagic2]

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]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 1:17am

It is St. John the Divine Episcopal Cathedral at 111th and Amsterdam Ave.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 1:20am

The Bronx Zoo! Fabulous! Not (everything) great is in Manhattan).

The Cloisters.

The Brooklyn Promenade.

[siny]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 1:43am

I second the Cloisters. You won't find a prettier, more calming place in NYC.

[spike3]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 8:40am

The 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.

[nygrl232]

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]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 11:04am

Have to throw in a 'third' for the Cloisters. You asked for pretty and calming - this is it.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 11:41am

The Cloisters most definitely.

[pli1018]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 11:53am

I'm a huge fan of Governor's Island, which is a great place to explore for the day.

[spike3]

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.

[thetinymagic2]

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.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 4:59pm

The Bethesda Fountain in Central Park is a MUST. It's my favorite place in NYC. I can't believe nobody has mentioned it yet!

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 5:08pm

That's my favorite, too, Em. I got engaged there. :)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:09pm

Aw!

[Reginald Tresilian]

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.

[SNAFU]

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!

Updated On: 6/18/11 at 06:31 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 7:11pm

I 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.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 7:34pm

Uncageg, I work in the Flatiron--and I love looking at Madison Square Park from my window!

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 7:57pm

Reg, 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.

[Marianne2]

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.

[trentsketch]

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.