1
Brooklyn Bridge Park
1
334 Furman St.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, as its name would suggest, is stationed under the Brooklyn Bridge. It draws thousands of visitors each week who come for awe-inspiring views of Manhattan and idyllic picnic spots along the waterfront. The park is also the site of special events, including the free Movies With a View, kayaking, rowing and fitness classes. The appealing coastal attraction comprises a series of piers filled with recreational facilities, gardens, playgrounds, greenways and grassy areas for hanging out. Pier 2 holds basketball courts, an in-line skating rink and a pop-up pool. A sandy "beach" serves as a (nonmotorized) boat launch at Pier 4; You'll find kid-friendly play areas at both ends (and some in between); the ones at Pier 6 include swings, slides, a giant sandbox and a water feature. There's also a seasonal ferry from that pier that serves Governors Island.
2
Times Square Alliance
2
1560 Broadway
The Times Square Alliance works to solidify the position of Times Square as the "crossroads of the world" and to cultivate the creativity, energy and edginess that have made the area so important to entertainment culture and urban life for over a century. The Alliance works to encourage economic development and public improvements, advocates on behalf of its constituents and helps to coordinate numerous major events in Times Square, including the annual Broadway on Broadway and New Year's Eve celebrations.
3
Hudson River Park
3
Hudson River Waterfront
Covering 550 riverside acres along the western edge of Manhattan, Hudson River Park runs from West 59th Street in Midtown all the way down to Battery Park in the Financial District. Along the way, New Yorkers and visitors can enjoy a jogging and biking path, waterfront benches and tables, snack stands and free entertainment all summer long, like film screenings and live music.
4
Bryant Park
4
Sixth Ave. btw. 40th–42nd Sts.
Bryant Park is an urban oasis in the heart of Manhattan that features landscaping, monuments, Le Carousel, concerts, and free summer outdoor movie nights. The rink is the centerpiece of Bryant Park’s winter season, which also includes the annual Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. The rink offers free admission for ice skating, high-quality rental skates, ice shows, special events and other activities daily from late October to early March. Whether you’re looking to skate before work or through the lunch hour, with friends or with a date, or go for a spin under the stars, Winter Village at Bryant Park is the perfect destination. Note that the rink may be closed for special events.
5
Bien Cuit
5
120 Smith St.
This pretty little storefront bakery has free WiFi, a collection of vintage bakeware on display and the most beautifully burnished loaves of bread this side of Paris. At breakfast are exquisite croissants, Danish and brioche, and at lunch excellent sandwiches and quiche. For snacktime are hard-to-resist tarts (caramel–pine nut, pistachio-cherry-chocolate, boysenberry-mango-coconut). The baker is devoted to traditional bread-making methods, brooking no short cuts, which means some loaves take up to three days to produce, from mixing and fermentation to baking. It's a lovely place to meet a friend for quiet conversation and a cup of tea or cappuccino.
6
Governors Island
6
Governors Island
Governors Island is a former military outpost—it played a role in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and the Coast Guard used it until the mid-1990s. Today the 172-acre island has blossomed into a recreational oasis just off the Lower Manhattan shore. A free seven-minute ferry ride brings fun-seekers to an idyllic setting where they can cycle (with their own wheels or a rented pair from Bike and Roll), picnic with a great view or enjoy free programming including art exhibitions, concerts and sporting events. The Hills, a topographic installation on the island, comprises four mounds; each offers incredible views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Meanwhile, much of the island's military architecture lives on as the Governors Island National Monument.
7
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
7
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
This pedestrian walkway offers spectacular views of Downtown Manhattan, the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a favorite destination for joggers, walkers and Rollerbladers, but it also offers a quiet atmosphere for those who prefer to just sit, chat and enjoy the view. The Promenade is lined with grand town houses and mansions, and is part of Brooklyn’s first Historic Preservation District.
8
Rucola
8
190 Dean St.
On the corner of a tree-lined street, Rucola is Northern Italian restaurant good anytime of day. The seasonal menu changes regularly but include house-made pastas, salads, salumi, cheese and entrees like whole roasted brook trout. The farmhouse setting is adorable, and the wine list short but sweet.
9
Maman
9
239 Centre St.
The South of France comes to life south of Houston Street at Maman (French for "mom"), a rustic little bakery and café appointed with white-washed brick and weathered wood, farm tables, vintage signage and pressed tin ceilings. Displays of gorgeous cakes, brioche, tarts and cookies will get your mind to cast aside any caloric concern. Founders Armand Arnal (from the Michelin-starred La Chassagnette in Arles), Benjamin Sormonte and Elisa Marshall collected and updated family heirloom recipes, combining the best from France and the US. Nutty chocolate chunk cookies sprinkled with French sea salt are mind blowing. Nutella-filled madeleines, dulce de leche bars, a changing roster of soups, salads, quiche and sandwiches, plus a tantalizing Instagram feed should turn you into a regular.
10
Jane's Carousel
10
Brooklyn Bridge Park
No child's visit to Dumbo would be complete without a visit to Jane's Carousel, in Brooklyn Bridge Park. This 1922 merry-go-round was moved from Ohio, painstakingly restored and added to the neighborhood landscape in 2011. Its 48 horses prance near the East River year-round, protected from the elements by a jewel-box structure designed by architect Jean Nouvel. Rides are just $2.
11
Cobble Hill Park
11
Clinton St.
Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood dates back to the mid-17th century, when Dutch farmers first settled the land. Fast forward a few centuries to the 1960s, when a neighborhood movement saved the trapezoidal area now known as Cobble Hill Park from becoming a six-story apartment building. The park was dedicated in the 1965 and reconstructed in 1989 in a formal, geometric pattern that synched with the area’s 19th-century architecture. Today it’s a crown jewel of the cozy enclave, drawing locals of all ages, including children, who take full advantage of the park’s small playground.
12
Edge
12
30 Hudson Yards (Tenth Ave. & 33rd St.)
On the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards is the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere and the fifth highest in the world. Walk onto the deck and you’re 65 feet from the building at the furthest point, and 1,000 feet from the ground below. Enjoy unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River, including sunsets to the west. For the truly adventurous, step onto part of the deck made of glass to get a thrilling glimpse of the City below.
13
Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge
13
485 Seventh Avenue
Magic Hour, located on the 18th floor of the Moxy Hotel, is a playful year-round, indoor and outdoor rooftop bar and lounge. The outdoor areas face the Empire State Building on the east side, and the west side contains a rotating seating area. The space is completed with Foreplay, a mini golf course. A menu of shareable light bites inspired by the world of the state fairs includes modern takes on classics including corn hush puppies, lobster rolls and boozy cupcakes.
15
Squibb Park Bridge
15
Everit St. at Cranberry St.
Squibb Park Bridge connects Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 1 with Squibb Park in Brooklyn Heights, allowing visitors to come and go with ease and putting them within a stone’s throw of public transportation.
22
Loulou Petit Bistro
22
176 Eighth Ave.
Loulou Petit Bistro is a cozy French bistro located on the corner of 19th Street and Eighth Avenue in Chelsea. The gorgeous restaurant, named after owner Mathias Van Leyden’s adorable rescue dog, serves French classics for lunch, brunch and dinner. The lower level speakeasy features an extensive cocktail menu with creative and classic cocktail options and lively atmosphere with music nightly.