Updated April 2019.

New York City: A Bite of the Big Apple

Anyone who has ever been to NYC knows the sights, from “Showtime, showtime!” on the MTA to human traffic in midtown. For the uninitiated, “Showtime, showtime!” is entertainment performed by teenagers on the subway during rush hour.

I’ve almost been smacked by a whirling foot, still, tourists eat it up. This unmissable experience is one of the “baptisms” you get when experiencing our lovely subway system. Lol.

 

1. South Street Seaport

  Walkability, Cruises, History and Food

Also known as the Seaport District, this genuinely unique part of New York City is in downtown Manhattan with the Financial District and seat of city government. The Seaport District is my favourite part of the city with cobbled streets, history, an array of food and drink, spectacular views and general ambience. I worked in the area for four years and the South Street Seaport was my addiction.

I would take an 80 minute break (because I was allowed to *flips braids*) to Pier 15 and people-watch on the huge deck chairs that overlook the East River. This is where Hornblower cruises arrive and depart for their tours of downtown Manhattan and the Battery.

The Seaport has the Wavertree and tickets are available at the South Street Seaport Museum. Before Wavertree, the Peking was its predecessor and was at the pier since 1974 before returning to Germany in 2016. One time, a decommissioned French naval ship docked and everyone had a grand tour of the ship’s history. It was super fun.

Pier 15 has food spots – Industry Kitchen, an industrial-chic outdoor restaurant offering wood-fire pizzas and small chops with a view of the East River, and the Watermark Bar, where concerts, beer tastings and other events are held in summer and early fall.

The Seaport District is also a prime spot for television shows. I remember a cordon on Pier 15 marking filming in progress so I ask about the show and hear “Shades of Blue”, the cop drama with J-Lo.

Another time, I spy large trailers and when I eavesdrop, I hear that “Person of Interest” is filming. Jim Caviezel!! *cue internal screams*. I never did see him or any celeb during my lunch break, though. Bummer!

Beyond films and TV shows, the Seaport District is my ideal place to relax in New York City because of its chill ambience. I think the East River lends to its ambience too.

There are numerous restaurants with amazing food, ice cream shops, boutique stores and so much more to see, eat, do and explore on these historic cobbled streets.

Memorable spots here include:

• Pier 17: Roof deck, East River and DUMBO views, Two Bridges view, Heineken Riverdeck.
• Pier 15: Roomy deck chairs to lie on and ponder this existential existence we’re currently in.
• 10 Corso Como: Go for the store and unique pieces within, stay for the delish Italian…food.
• Van Leeuween Ice cream for my fellow lactose-intolerant brethren.
• Big Gay Ice cream for more ice cream
• Chase Sapphire Lounge with big screen for games. Access with a Chase Sapphire Card.
• The Seaport Museum

 

Update

Pier 17 opened in 2018 with a rooftop bar over the South Street Seaport and seasonal activities like an ice-skating rink, summer concert events, fitness classes and so much more. There is a 5-star restaurant, The Fulton, as well as a new California farm-to-table restaurant called Malibu Farm.

 

2. Ferry & Cruise Rides

I mention Hornblower Cruises but there is Sea Streak, a private ferry company that plies trade between NYC and New Jersey. It sails to Martha’s Vineyard, Highlands, Nantucket and Boston.

Zephyr Yacht Harbour Cruise takes you on a tour of downtown Manhattan and turns into a party boat at night. Yes, I have been on two party boats: one from Pier 15 and another from Pier 40 on the Westside.

The Pier 40 party boat takes you to the Statue of Liberty and seeing Lady Liberty looming and feeling close to touch is indescribable. Just don’t try to reach out or do the Titanic pose, please.

NY Water Taxi  is available from the East River and goes to Brooklyn and past downtown Manhattan.

Alternatively, NYC ferry service sails directly and via free transfer at major ferry stops; think of it as an aqua subway. Their schedules change depending on weather and season so check routes before deciding on a destination.

If on a budget-friendly trip and Lady Liberty tours demand your first-born with a year-long queue, hop onto the Staten Island ferry, position yourself on deck and have cameras ready for the  Statue of Liberty. On the Staten side, take a picture of the skyline and trust me when I say that it is beautiful at night.

Exploring these neighbourhoods is an adventure for locals too. The fare is $2.75 but you have to buy  ferry tickets at the pier.

RELATED: Are You Ferry Shy? Adventures on the NYC Ferry

 

3. Governor’s Island

Governor’s Island is an unmissable summer experience for everyone. You hear me? Everyone! If it’s the only aquatic experience you have on your Big Apple itinerary, I won’t be mad.

Take the NYC ferry from either DUMBO, Pier 11/Wall Street or the Water Taxi. As the name implies, Governor’s Island is car-free so if walking is not your forte, you better start strengthening those gams and glutes.

The Native Americans referred to it as “Pagganuck” (Nut Island) because of its plentiful oak and chestnut trees. The British take over from the Dutch, build forts and garrisons and its use switch between coastal defense and POW holding facilities to barracks for enlisted men and their families.

Read more on the island’s history here.

There are several activities here: tandem biking, quadra-cycling, rock climbing and zip-lining. I attempt the latter two for the first time and feel like Wonder Woman. I zip-line twice despite my acrophobia and I now have the zipping bug!

Walking from the dock to Castle William to get to Leggett’s Terrace for the food trucks is a distance and we work up a strong appetite! Food is a necessity if you intend to rock-climb or zipline multiple times like I do.

If you’re the lazy kind – no judgement, kindred spirit! – amble over to Hammock Grove and plop into an empty hammock. We all need a breather and this is the ideal spot for that.

If you want a glimpse of Lady Liberty, see her from the biking path leading to Outlook Hill. This is best if you want to escape the Liberty Tour crowds but still have a free photo for keepsake.

The views of lower Manhattan from the island are stunning and the best place for this is Outlook Hill where you walk up blocks of granite called, The Scramble, to get better views of downtown Manhattan.

The New Yorker in me wonders how large the fort interiors are for a 2-bed apartment. Hmmn.

 

RELATED: Daytripping Activities on Governor’s Island

 

4. Walking Tours

My first walking tour is in 2014 aptly named, a History of Downtown. It covers historic buildings, Trinity Church, Wall Street, and remnants of the city’s Dutch history. Until I experience this walking tour, I have no idea of the deep history of the area.

How many of you know of the African burial ground in the area? Long story short, the Dutch controlled New Amsterdam (now New York) at the time, captured African males (most likely from Congo or Angola) and enslaved them to build the forts, homes, markets, churches that Europeans required to resemble home. Over time, the population of enslaved Africans swelled in the city and not just in Manhattan.

The burial ground was created because enslaved Africans and the free Black population were not permitted within the city cemetery therefore the English founded the Negro Burial Ground, as it was called back then. It was unknown to non-historians until construction workers discovered the site when laying foundation for a federal building in the early 1990s.

Read more on this history here.

In addition, there is a walking tour called Sarah’s Fire, part of Black Gotham, created to educate people on the unknown and important contributions of enslaved Africans in the construction of the New York City we know and love today.

From the construction of Wall Street to the slave auctions right on Wall Street, there are many unknown stories and the ghosts of enslaved Africans on these cobbled streets.

More history is present at the National Museum of the American Indian at Bowling Green, a former U.S. Custom House. It is free and I highly recommend this for everyone to learn and acknowledge the original inhabitants of Manhattan and North America.

I have no idea that many familiar words are Native names; Winnebago, for one. Huh? Shooketh! There are summer markets in the area selling pendants, gemstones and other trinkets for $1 or slightly more and I stock up on them like a magpie.

Nestled within these cobbled alleys is Stone Street around Pearl, South William and Broad Streets and it is a truly unmissable New York City experience. In summer, it is open-seating served by historic taverns in the area. Many Irish and German pubs abound here.

The amateur history buff in me loves this area and if you have time, read the plaques on buildings and on the ground to learn about history of the area. Pop into historic Fraunces Tavern on Water Street for food and a mini American history.

You see why downtown is my fave part of the city? Let this be an unmissable experience in NYC.

 

5. Freedom Tower/Westfield/Brookfield

Everyone knows the history of One World Trade Centre, the Memorial and the malls that sprung up in the area but not many know of the Observatory in the Freedom Tower. Similar to those in the Empire State building and 30 Rock, the views here are much higher as the Freedom Tower is the tallest in the city.

Buy tickets online in advance or book a time slot in person at the Tower and return for the ride. The best part is the elevator ride 102 floors up depicting moving images of the changing city.

The views are another experience to see Lady Liberty, New Jersey, Brooklyn and popular midtown buildings. It is a highly recommended unmissable New York City experience.

Westfield and Brookfield Malls are my addiction and I can write a full page of what I love but I will refrain. There is a hidden Japanese dessert store on the upper level of Westfield Mall and I never leave empty-handed.

Eataly is present but you need a reservation for their restaurant. If you pop in spur-of-the-moment like a friend and I do, wait times are about 40 minutes max, but the pizza is worth it.

Brookfield Mall is my absolute weakness. It has more high-end boutiques than Westfield and the atrium transforms into different themes depending on events and seasons. There are light shows, virtual reality try-outs, Chinese New Year events and a skating rink every winter.

My faves at Brookfield Place are the French food stores: Le District boulangerie, fromagerie, and winery.

 

6. Prospect Park 

Let’s skip across the bridge to Brooklyn, shall we? Tourists are realizing the beauty and history of the outer boroughs and are visiting in droves. If Manhattan is not your thing, Prospect Park is the alternative to Central Park.

It is beautiful and serene and in winter, has a skating rink and sledding. I must confess that I hibernate and only emerge in spring so I am yet to try sledding. There is a Farmer’s Market at the Grand Army Plaza entrance and a Smorgasburg on summer Sundays to refuel the spirit.

Lefferts House

This is where the Dutch colonist, who lent his name to the area, lived and it has its original garden, veranda and wood-cutting area. To show you how short people were back then, I have to stoop when going upstairs, and I’m no 6-footer!

Brooklyn has a strong Dutch history and so does NYC.

In fact, it was New Amsterdam before the Duke of York did his thing. Think of the Lefferts, Lefraks, Bergens, Van Wyck, Van Cortlandt names that we mention so casually. They are all Dutch! There is so much history to read and listen to here and I strongly recommend this cultural experience for all.

Additionally, biking, roller blading, walking, picnicking or lazing under a tree is highly recommended during summer and I do this regularly.

 

7. Zoos

Prospect Park Zoo opened in 1890 as a Menagerie and is a family-friendly experience but if you prefer a larger zoo, Bronx Zoo is ideal. Bronx Zoo opened in 1899 and is the largest metropolitan zoo in the U.S. with diverse animal collection and several exhibitions. Make this a day trip because there are fun activities here.

 

8. Botanic Gardens

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, located within the Prospect Park neighbourhood, contains numerous plant collections, ecosystems and “gardens within a garden”. There is so much to explore that you need comfy walking shoes as this is no place for fancy footwear.

April sees the Japanese Cherry Blossom festival at the BBG so make sure you get advance tickets to avoid the long queues.

 

 

9. Cloisters

Located in Fort Tryon Park, Upper Manhattan, the Cloisters overlooks the Hudson River comprising of five medieval cloisters imported from France and filled with artifacts. Its marble columns, high ceilings and arches transport you to a different era and the gardens and tapestries are simply stunning.

Make this a day trip because it is a long subway ride up – A to 190th St – but it is definitely worth the escape and an unmissable NYC medieval experience to have.

 

10. Free Entertainment

This is by far one of my favourite parts of living in such a cosmopolitan city.

From the ever popular Shakespeare in the Park that sells out in the blink of an eye to weekly free jazz performances at the Lincoln Center to film nights at Central Park, Pier 40, Brooklyn Bridge Park, there are so many events to choose from.

• FAME! at Central Park
• Sekouba “Bambino” Diabate, the Guinean singer, at Prospect Park Bandshell.
• Femi Kuti at Prospect Park Bandshell.
• Burna Boy at Prospect Park Bandshell
• Davido and Antibalas at OkayAfrica sponsored concert at Dammrosch Park-Lincoln Center
• Nigerian film screenings – Green, White, Green & Ojukokoro.

Some free events list on Eventbrite, but for most, you either have to visit the particular event website, scour social media or good old fashioned word-of-mouth.

Registration fills up quickly for these free events and you have to arrive extra early for seating.

On your next visit to New York City, or if you live here, explore these unmissable experiences on a federal holiday or weekend.

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