Walking in the City - Little Island NYC

 

A beautiful spring day provided the perfect opportunity to check out one of New York City's newest attractions - Little Island.

Opened in 2021 the island sits on the site of Pier 54 which until 1935 was used by the British Cunard-White Star Line for trans-Atlantic ocean voyages.  Among the many passengers who arrived at Pier 54 were the survivors of the Titanic.

 Like many of the New York piers, it fell into disuse for years and was then reclaimed for various social purposes. But in 2012 the pier was seriously damaged by Hurricane Sandy and it was decided to create a new kind of public space. 

It is certainly eye-catching.

Two bridges provide access to the island, one to the north and one to the south, but given the island is only just over 2 acres, they aren't very far apart. 

The North Bridge

The South Bridge

Walkways and stairs wind their way around well-tended lawns and flowerbeds, making the multi-level island accessible to all. 

An amphitheater overlooks the river. Free and low-cost performances are held throughout the summer months giving local artists a chance to showcase their talent. As it faces west I can imagine the evening audiences may also get to see some stunning sunsets. 

There's a patio where you can grab a bite and sit in the sun and enjoy the surroundings. The day I visited there was only one food truck in operation but from May 25 there will be more options available. I have to say the toasted cheese sandwich was remarkably good!

The park is so well-designed, even the restrooms have been built into the landscape.

Throughout the park, there are fun objects such as Spinning Discs and Dance Chimes. The latter seems popular with young and old judging from the amount of music being made. And it certainly wasn't just kids enjoying the spun chairs on the patio.

And this being New York, everywhere you look there are the iconic views:

It's well worth a visit. And it's free. Though in the busy summer months if you visit after 12pm Thursday thru Sunday (and holidays), you need to have a timed ticket for entry unless you have a ticket for a performance.

Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense. Her latest novel in the Detective Rigby series "No Stone Unturned" will be released on May 10, 2022. 

For more information about her books visit her website, or sign up for her newsletter.

Walking in the City - New York's Christmas Lights 2021

 

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is taking a trip into New York City to see the lights. There's always something new to see and this year even a short stroll along Fifth Avenue offered some fabulous decorations. 

Holiday sculptures made out of lights adorn the sidewalks between 47th and 60th Street. 

Saks of Fifth Avenue usually puts on the biggest show of all the stores and this year was no exception.

At regular intervals, the whole of the edifice lights up in a magnificent musical display lasting several minutes. 

 The attraction draws substantial crowds who wait patiently on the opposite side of the road for the show to begin, while others take in the sights of the Rockefeller Christmas tree and the parade of angels lining the route to the plaza. 

At street level, the Saks windows offer more delight. This year the windows were based on suggestions from NYC school children who were asked to share their dreams for the holiday. 

Dreaming of a sweet holiday at home

Dreaming of a holiday on the beach 

Dreaming of a holiday playland

Further down the road Dolce & Gabbana have opted for a window designed to make you feel hungry:

 A trio of trees made from lights is a recurring feature along 5th Avenue. They really are quite spectacular. 

Another store on 5th Avenue renowned for its decorations is Bergdorf Goodman. Each window is color-themed but with so much detail that every visitor is likely to find something different that catches the eye. 

Outside the Plaza Hotel, the Pulitzer Fountain has been turned into an icescape featuring penguins, sea lions, and polar bears. 

Turning towards Lexington Avenue, Bloomingdales stands out with its green and red windows on the upper floors.

At street level, the windows are a profusion of color, representing what Bloomingdales describes as a 'Give Happy' theme. 

As an avid knitter, I was rather taken by this cozy window. 

Walking south down Lexington Avenue, New York proves to be a city of lights even without Christmas decorations. A sliver of a crescent moon was visible above the Chrysler Building. 

Outside Grand Central, the recently completed pedestrian plaza looks elegant with its silver lights. The last time I was in the city this area was a construction site!

Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense. Her latest novel in the Detective Rigby series "No Stone Unturned" will be released in Spring 2022. 

For more information about her books visit her website, or sign up for her newsletter at http://bit.ly/melparishnews 

Walking in the City - Griffith Park, Los Angeles

Think of Los Angeles and the image it conjures might be of a sprawl of urban neighborhoods dissected by boulevards such as Hollywood, Sunset and Santa Monica, and congested multi-lane highways. But it is also home to Griffith Park, one of the largest urban wilderness parks in the United States.

Walking in the City - New York's Christmas Lights

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is taking a stroll around mid-town Manhattan to check out the holiday lights and window displays. 

Sixty at Sixty - Walking in the City - The Tribute in Light, NY

I don't often get to walk in the city in the evening. The length of the commute from Westchester County makes it difficult to find companions willing to venture into the city for the evening, and safety issues rule out solo adventures, so when I heard about a Shorewalkers' walk in Brooklyn on September 11th to take in the sights of the Tribute in Light it seemed an ideal opportunity.

Walking in the City - The New York Botanical Gardens in May

After my trip to the New York Botanical Gardens in November I was determined to return at frequent intervals to enjoy the changing vistas provided by the seasonal plantings. A Christmas gift of an annual membership reinforced this determination, but somehow it's taken me until this week to make a return visit. I wish I hadn't put it off so long. I'd missed the daffodils and the cherry blossom, and the lilac was fading fast.

Easter Sunday in NYC City 2017

Easter Sunday in New York City means it's time for the annual parade of Easter bonnets. Fifth Avenue between 49th and 55th Street is closed to traffic for several hours for the event which is not really a parade, but more of a chance for those so inclined to show off their creations, mingle with the onlookers and pose for photos.

This year, pink proved to be a popular choice:

Walking in the City - Inwood Hill Park, NY

A planned walk in Inwood Hill Park on Saturday with Shorewalkers turned out to be more of a treat than expected following last Thursday's snowfall which blanketed the park. While the snowy conditions made walking harder work than normal, the additional exercise was more than compensated for by the wintry views.

Looking across the Hudson River towards the Palisades.

Walking in the City - Edinburgh

Looking out towards the Firth of Forth

Apparently, on average, Edinburgh gets 192 days of rain per year. Which means you take your chances with the weather if you go for the day. I'm not sure how many windy days the city averages, but unfortunately the day we visited it was both wet and windy. So wet and windy that we decided to head straight for the Castle in the hope we'd find some shelter. The Castle dominates the city skyline meaning even on an overcast day you can see for miles from the battlements.

Walking in the City - Christmas Lights in London

A recent early evening walk from Gloucester Road to the South Bank in Central London gave me the opportunity to take in some of the city’s Christmas Lights.

Outside the National History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum the trees were decked with lights and a small ice-skating rink had been set up in the grounds adding a festive spirit to the grand buildings.

Walking in the City - The Christmas Lights of Mid-town Manhattan, NY

It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost upon us once again. This year I'm spending the holidays in England but wanted to fit at least one trip into New York City to see the lights before I leave. Yesterday's relatively mild weather offered the perfect opportunity for an evening stroll.

My first stop was the Lord & Taylor store on 5th Avenue at 39th Street. Famous for its elaborately staged Christmas windows it is a delight for children and adults alike.  This year the store is surrounded by scaffolding, but the designers didn't let that detract, turning the sidewalk into a grotto of lights and greenery.

How to conceal scaffolding.

Walking in the City - The New York Botanical Garden

With higher than normal temperatures for the time of the year, the last Sunday in October offered the perfect chance to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the New York Botanical Garden

In 1888 Botanists Nathaniel Lord Britton and Elizabeth Gertrude Britton visited the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, England and returned determined to create one of the world's great botanical gardens in New York. The 250-acre garden in the Bronx was founded in 1891 and is now not only one of the world's great botanical gardens but also an international center for plant research.

Walking in the City - West Side Monuments and Sculptures, Riverside Park South, NY

One of my favorite activities in Manhattan is walking by the river. Nowadays, it is possible to walk almost all around the island via either park or greenway, enjoying river views on one side and the cityscape on the other. One of the newest stretches of the river walk is through Riverside Park South which runs from 59th Street to 72nd Street on the west side and offers not only great views but some interesting sights as well.

Walking in the City - Snug Harbor, Staten Island, NY

In the eighteen years that I've been in New York I've been to Staten Island twice and both of those visits were many years ago. Having recently extended my exploration of New York City into Queens and Brooklyn, it only seemed fitting to venture out to Staten Island too, especially as the trip from Manhattan requires a delightful ferry ride across the harbor offering a fabulous view of the Statue of Liberty.  

Walking in the City - Sheepshead Bay and Rockaway Park Beach, NYC

After my recent trip to Coney Island, I was delighted to find another walk involving beaches in New York City, this time a 12 mile hike organized by the Appalachian Mountain Club, 

from Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn to Rockaway Beach in Queens. 

Walking in the City - the Brooklyn Shore Line and Coney Island, New York

The last Saturday of February promised to be a spring-like day, offering the perfect opportunity to get out in the fresh air for some much needed exercise, so I jumped at the chance to join a Shorewalkers walk along the Brooklyn Shore Line to Coney Island. With the exception of a short visit to Coney Island fun fair many years ago, I'd never been to this part of the city before and, to be honest, if I hadn't seen the advertised walk, it's not an area that I would have ever thought of visiting.

Easter Sunday in New York City

Couldn't resist a trip into the city this weekend to see the annual display of Easter finery. Fifth Avenue between 45th and 60th Street is closed on Easter Sunday to allow locals and visitors alike to show off their creations. 

Of course, there are the hats: 

Walking in New York City - Jefferson Market Library

On a recent walk in Greenwich Village I spotted this beautiful building just below 10th Street on Avenue of Americas:

On closer inspection I discovered, to my delight, that it was the Jefferson Market Library.

Walking in the City - DUMBO and Downtown Brooklyn

Up until now most of my walks in New York City have centered on Manhattan, but I'm well aware that there is plenty of interest to check out in the other city boroughs too. With that in mind, a walk organised by Shorewalkers last year, to take in the street art in DUMBO (Down under Manhattan Bridge Overpass), Downtown and Brooklyn Bridge Park, seemed a good introduction to the area. 

Walking in the City - The Christmas Lights of Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY

Christmas - a time when some decorate a tree, perhaps a room or two, or add a few decorations to their yard while others... well, others go all out with quite spectacular results, especially when it's not just one or two homes, but a whole neighborhood.