NYC 1 Day Adventure: Riverside Park, Grant's Tomb, Columbia University

The adventure will take you from Pier I near 72^nd Street, up along the Hudson River, through Riverside Park to the Columbia University area.

First, get a coffee or drink at the Pier I café by the river—enter through Riverside Park around 72^nd and walk west, down the stairs to towards the river. The café is there by the pier. Then, if you can bear to leave (and it will be hard!)—begin your walk uptown. You’ll walk along the Hudson for awhile, then can enter Riverside Park around 79^th Street (walking all the way up along the river is not recommended—there is a lot of bike traffic and it is next to the West Side Highway and not very pleasant). With its spacious paths and large, gentle shading trees, it has something in common with Central Park --but is also quite different. On 88^th Street you’ll find the Soldiers and Sailors Monument..

Then you can get out on 120^th- 122^nd St.--the exit here is Grant’s Tomb, which actually has a great gift shop underneath with stuffed eagles and historic items. On  120^th Street, you’ll find Riverside Church, which is worth a quick visit. You may be able to climb to the bell tower-if it’s open. Then, walk up 120^th then down Broadway to Columbia University on 116^th Street (this is also a subway stop). With its spacious green campus and lively student life, and imposing but somehow gentle stone buildings, you’ll experience a piece of history while at the same time surrounded by the energy of youth. There’s a great bookshop with gifts here, as well as a Joe’s Coffee, where you can sit with a view of the historic Butler Library.

A walk down Broadway will show you a seedier side of NYC…but once you pass 96^th Street, things clean up and you’re back on the more serene Upper West Side of 79^th Street on down.