New York City is amazing for shopping, shows, people watching and nature walks. Oh, did that surprise you? Earlier during our séjourn Charlie at Hotly Spiced commented and asked what JT does whilst I am shopping — he explores — mainly to find cool spots to show me when we get together. I love that he gets excited about showing me his discoveries. This post will tell you about two new discoveries and one we did last year too. They absolutely knocked my socks off (well, they sure would have had I been wearing socks, but it was just too hot!).
I’ll tell you about the High Line first (or better yet, I’ll let the experts tell you about it) Excerpt from thehighline.com:
“The High Line is a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It is owned by the City of New York, and maintained and operated by Friends of the High Line. Founded in 1999 by community residents, Friends of the High Line fought for the High Line’s preservation and transformation at a time when the historic structure was under the threat of demolition. It is now the non-profit conservancy working with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to make sure the High Line is maintained as an extraordinary public space for all visitors to enjoy. In addition to overseeing maintenance, operations, and public programming for the park, Friends of the High Line works to raise the essential private funds to support more than 90 percent of the park’s annual operating budget, and to advocate for the preservation and transformation of the High Line at the Rail Yards, the third and final section of the historic structure, which runs between West 30th and West 34th Streets.”
Now if you are going to NYC, I strongly suggest a visit to this surprising nature walk. Norma (From Garden to Wok) mentioned it to me when she saw were were going to New York this spring, but fortunately we had already been the year before, so I was able to tell her how excited we were to be able to see it expanded even more!. Splendidly landscaped with a huge variety native plants and trees, this gorgeous raised walkway provides a quiet retreat for a hectic day in a hectic city; New Yorkers alike love to take a break for a picnic, a little reading or even sun bathing (believe it or not). On the Sunday we were in NYC, we did not notice a large number of tourists, just a few; I would guess that the majority of visitors are native New Yorkers.
Every part of the High Line is set up for the enjoyment of the visitor, taking in views, nature and art specifically designed for the High Line. One of my favourite parts is the stage overlooking 10th Avenue. It is equally as cool from the High Line as it is viewing up from the street (we did that last year).
The other surprising escape is a wonderful path along the Hudson River down on the Lower West Side’s famed Financial District. Beginning at Chambers Street, this path goes all the way to Battery Park at the base of Manhattan. The 2.4 km (1.5 miles) walk will entertain you with sculptures, moments to pause and reflect on various memorials and spectacular views of New Jersey across the Hudson River. The New York CIty Police Memorial is a beautiful fountain and engraved wall with Police Officer names who have died in the line of duty; the Irish Hunger Memorial which is is dedicated to raising awareness of the Great Irish Famine during which about a million Irish died (we even spotted wild strawberries on this memorial). There is a bicycle boulevard that spans directly to the New World Trade Centre, it is really awe inspiring.
We walked all the way to Battery Park at the base of Manhattan, it was so incredibly hot and sunny (not complaining) we had to stop and pick up some water from a street vendor. I would like to point out that the water in NYC is quite reasonable even in the touristy areas like Battery Park. In Toronto, our vendors seem to enjoy taking advantage of the lowly wonderer and charge sometimes as much as $4 for a bottle of water they bought in bulk at Costco for 10 cents! We continue towards wall street to a very special area…an unexpected surprise…the old part of NYC. We pass by a 400 year old house, Fraunces Tavern est 1762 http://www.frauncestavern.com/. Very cool but they don’t have outdoor space and we want to sit on a patio for lunch so we continue to Stone Street. Basically just one restaurant after another; I highly recommend a visit, even if you don’t eat there. Original cobble stones line the streets, the buildings are old and quaint and they close the street down so that the restaurants can put their patio tables into the street. It’s very festive. We were there early as we had a 3pm plane to catch at Newark, but JT didn’t want me to miss this experience, and boy am I glad he saved some time to share it with me. This is a side of New York that is very unexpected.
We selected a cute little restaurant for lunch, but I’ll save that for another Restaurant Review Post.
Thank you for sharing a little of your trip and JT’s finds with us
My dad always says that the best way to explore a city is to walk, it is amazing what wonderful things you can find
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Absolutely true Sawsan, walking is really the best way to explore a city. We’ve done the bus tours but they really only give you a fleeting moment, no time to stop and admire something interesting.
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Fabulous photos Eva! I just love glimpses into vacations. It’s like living vicariously even if only for a few minutes. 🙂 I love the wild strawberries – such a juxtaposition. So glad you had a great time!
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Thanks Kristy, I was rather surprised by the wild strawberries too! I can hardly wait to get back to NYC. Porter airlines is teasing us again with really reasonable airfares ($214 return, taxes in) but NYC in the summer is brutal.
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Hi Eva, I thoroughly enjoyed looking at your photos. I feel like I joined you on your trip to NYC. You’ve inspired me to start taking some photos outdoors of life in the city.
– Michael
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Thanks Michael, that’s very nice of you to say. We really enjoyed the trip,.
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It’s been so long since I’ve been…thanks for sharing this, I feel like I was there with you…might be time to visit again, very soon!
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Thanks SM, glad that I have inspired you to check out NYC again.
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Looks like you had an awesome holiday. Wonderful photographs. Loved reading this post and seeing the pictures.
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Thank you kindly Asmita, it surely was a fun-filled trip.
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Hi Eva,
How nice to see a well known city such a New York from a different angle-glad you had such a good trip!!
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Thank you kindly.
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Forgot to ask in your shopping blog if you bought additional suitcase/s for all the shoppings you did.
Next time you visit the high line, try to add to your schedule a guided tour (it is free), currently it is scheduled for Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. reason we went on a Tuesday.
Did you go to the 9/11 memorial?
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Hi Norma, great idea about the tour, thanks! No, sadly we didn’t get to the memorial, I had no idea you had to line up…we left it until Monday and it didn’t open until 11:30 which was too late to be able to catch our plane home. I’ll work it in next time, hopefully the construction will be finished by then!
No I did not bring extra luggage;) I had about 14lbs and JT had 12lbs extra left over from the 50 we’re allowed so there was space for all my shopping! The $28 per bag each way is also a deterrent!
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It sounds like you had a terrific time in NYC. I love the way you color coordinate with your surroundings.
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Thanks Karen, it truly was one of our best trips. I can hardly wait to return.
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Looks like JT did a good job of scouting out some hikes. Feel like I was there…but wish I had been! Sounds like a fantastic trip Eva.
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He always finds something new and different to do Barb, it’s always an adventure, that is for sure.
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You both sure have enjoyed your time in NYC. Good for you! And I’m glad you didn’t let the heat bother you, too. It’s been over 10 years since I’ve gone and your posts have me thinking that maybe I should consider going back again. As much as I love it here, there really is only one New York!
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Thanks John, we sure did. Chicago and New York are my two North American cities bar none. I could and would live in either without a moment of hesitation! I’m glad I inspired you to think about another visit!
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Great photos Eva – I remember seeing that converted rail/garden installation on another blog before – it looks so cool! A great use of old structures too!
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Yes, I posted about it last year when we were there. They’ve doubled the length now do its a good long walk. So nice to have such a sanctuary in an urban environment, because Central Park just has too much traffic for my taste.
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I’ll have to read your posts carefully so when/if I go, I’ll know where to visit. 🙂
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Thanks Maria, it’s quite the city.
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My nephew is living in a B&B in New York (Midwood in Brooklyn, actually) right now until August. He offered to drive me up with him but as my passport had expired and I couldn’t afford the time off from work, or the loss of a paycheque, I had to turn him down. One day though, I’ll see the place. I hope. 🙂
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You should, if you can Maria, it’s quite the experience. Brooklyn is also quite the up and coming place. We’ve considered staying there on a trip to NYC for the experience. We’ve been to the outdoor Brooklyn Flee Market and it was quite cool. DUMBO is supposed to be amazing for music. Perhaps next time, sigh. So many places, so little time.
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Thanks for the gorgeous tour around NYC 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Thanks CCU.
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Wonderful photos and a very interesting, less known side of New York. Some are really hilarious and I love of course your strawberries find! I would never believe if I hadn’t seen your photo!
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Thanks Sissi, I was quite surprised by some of the areas too!
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I went to New York for the first time last May. My favorite part of being there was just walking around and discovering streets, parks, flower boxes on stoops. I didn’t get to the High Line — maybe by the next time I do they will have finished it.
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I think they’ve expanded it to its maximum Sharyn, now they are building the headquarters of Friends of the High Line. It’s to be completed in 2015.
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