The goal here was: DUMBO (down
under the Manhattan/ Brooklyn Bridges). And again—the ferry I fell in love
with! We first went to South Street Seaport again, and from there, took the
ferry to DUMBO. The cost is only the price of a NYC transit ticket--$2.75, via
the NYC Waterway app, or tickets at the dock. The NYC Waterway ferries take you
to Williamsburg, DUMBO, Wall Street—etc. In this case the ride to DUMBO
provides magnificent views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan. Getting off in
DUMBO, we walked through he courtyard of St. Ann’s Warehouse, down to the water
and discovered the Time Out NY Food Court—a multi-level haven for foodies. We
explored that a bit , and then walked the cobblestone streets and took the
obligatory photo on the Insta favorite street crossing at Washington and Water Streets.
There are several cute cafes
here—such as _______-- but we wound up getting an iced coffee and the Brooklyn
Roasting Company—a larger café, and a great place to unwind. Then, back to the
Time Out NYC food court where we had a most delicious margarita pizza. This has
an outdoor sitting area --though hard to get a seat. So we took our pizza to
the park by the water, then walked back to the ferry—past the Water Club, which
is fun to look at if too expensive to eat at. You can also walk back to
Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge instead of taking the ferry. Or leisurely
walk the streets and look at the historic buildings in Brooklyn Heights, visit
the lovely stores and restaurants around Clark Streeet, and take the train back
to Manhattan. But I recommend the ferry or walking across the Bridge for the
most fulfilling NYC experience. (There is also a great—if crowded! —ice cream
place on the Brooklyn side of the bridge!)
Back at South Street Seaport, we
stopped in at the Paris Café/ Bar and had a soda.
FURTHER ADVENTURES WALKING THROUGH
TRIBECA, SOHO, AND GREENWICH VILLAGE
Then we walked up from there
through the Courthouse area and up via West Broadway towards Tribeca and Soho
then Greenwich Village. It really is not a long walk and a great way to take in
all the lower neighborhoods of Manhattan.
First, we ran by accident into the charming Roxy Hotel, on Sixth Ave. between White and Walker Streets, a couple blocks below Canal Street-—we went in and it has a lovely spacious bar area with a piano player, and a coffee/ café (Jacks’ Coffee) area for the mornings. They also have a most unexpected treasure—a tiny cinema downstairs that shows rotating films, both indies and oldies.
First, we ran by accident into the charming Roxy Hotel, on Sixth Ave. between White and Walker Streets, a couple blocks below Canal Street-—we went in and it has a lovely spacious bar area with a piano player, and a coffee/ café (Jacks’ Coffee) area for the mornings. They also have a most unexpected treasure—a tiny cinema downstairs that shows rotating films, both indies and oldies.
We then walked up through Soho and
passed some of our favorite places—the Greek café Pi Bakerie at 512 Broome St.,
and the French Lauduree, at 398 West Broadway,
with Its outdoor garden. It was nicely quiet because it was late afternoon. I
investigated the Soho Hotel , with another interesting bar area. Then up to Greenwich
Village/ Washington Square –where you can go to Café Reggio or any of a dozen
other cafes (the first café I ever went to when I came to NYC, Lanterna, still exists,
and has a nice outdoor garden café on MacDougal).
Then there is the famous
Washington Square Park with it’s arch and fountain. Around here are a number of
magnificent historic homes and areas, such as Washington Mews, and the home
where Louis May Alcott lived.
You can always end with an indie film
at Film Forum or the Quad for a relaxing end to a busy day. Or if you have a
lot of energy—walk east to the East Village (ca 8th St and 2nd
Avenue) to explore there—or walk further uptown and catch a subway to the Upper
West Side along the way.
