Water Taxi Beach-Family & Over 21 Fun...!

One thing I love most about living in NYC is its proximity to the water. Downtown--both on the east side near South Street Seaport, and the west near Battery Park-the sailboats, the water and sky vista, the working commuter ferries, and steady breeze, the general good vibe from visitors, can make me feel as if I'm in Maine, not NYC!
One particular spot seems to be worth exploring. Water Taxi Beach is in South Street Seaport, north of Pier 17, and looks like it offers a lot of fun for both families and, after 8PM, for the over-21s only, with dancing, djing, live music, and more.
For over 21s, they have a Sunday Dance Party from 4PM -2AM, and live music and djing almost every night. Events are on their website. It looks like they also have some kind of Sunday Brunch as well. Events run every night except Monday night.
Saturday nights they offer DJing from 8-2AM. It looks like a blast--one of the Djs was a Studio 54 spinner back in the day...
Costs seem to run about $10 for entry.
Food is available while the beach is open-a Fish Shack and Pop Bar serves decently priced "beach fare" (hot dogs, watermelon, ice cream, wings, etc), and there is a raw bar on weekends (market price).
For families, they offer ping pong, skeeball, and 9-holes of miniature golf. You can also go on The Shark (loud and large speed boat) or the New York Water Taxi for fun, or the Clipper, which I mentioned earlier in the blog.
A bit more from their website:
"Water Taxi Beach South Street Seaport is 18,000 square feet of fun, food, sun, recreation and relaxation. Located along the water’s edge on the north side of Pier 17, this Beach offers the most spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River in the city. Stop by and catch some rays or build a castle in the sand. Head under the tent and grab a drink or play a game of ping pong, or skeeball then hit the greens for 9-holes of miniature golf. Maybe you’ll win a free thrill ride on The Shark and New York Water Taxi. Check out our Fish Shack for respectfully priced beach grub like our authentic Baja Fish Taco, award winning Motz burgers or grab bucket of popcorn and an international soda pop at our Pop! Pop! Pop! Shop featuring fresh popped popcorn, soda pops from around the world and pop rocks. Once the sun sets, Water Taxi Beach South Street Seaport becomes a playground for the 21+ crowd with rotating DJs all week long, and parties all weekend long."
Hours
11AM-2Am-Fri-Sunday. 11-11 Mon-Tues. 11-1AM Wed-Thurs.
Getting there
Water Taxi Beach South Street Seaport is located along the East River on the north side of Pier 17 a toss of sand away from the center of the Brooklyn Bridge. The closest street address is Fulton Street at South Street. You can get to Water Taxi Beach South Street Seaport by foot, bike, car, bus, subway and of course by New York Water Taxi
Subway
2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, M, Z lines to Fulton Street/Broadway Nassau. Walk east on Fulton Street to Water Street.

New in Town: Clipper City Tall Ship in South Street Seaport

Manhattan By Sail has just introduced a 160' tall ship--Clipper City --to the the South Street Seaport (downtown Manhattan), at Pier 17--and this experience of being on a genuine 19th century schooner (extensively refurbished) is not to be missed if you are even remotely adventurous. The 90 minute sail around the tip of Manhattan, with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, The Statue of Liberty, and more, is spectacular. There are places to sit-- but this is NOT a comfort-voyage, in the sense that you're not sitting on padded seats. Still, it worked for my 85 year old mother. And frankly, no one in their right mind would sit throughout the voyage when you can hang on the edge of the boat and take in the view, and feel the sheer joy of the wind and water.
A nice touch was the young and totally hip bluegrass band that played throughout the trip. They were VERY good, and it added verisimilitude to the atmosphere.
Once they raise the sails, you can imagine, if just briefly, what it was like to be on the open seas a century ago...except. of course, for the great advantage of having a 21st century lunch in one of the many outdoor cafes in the Seaport afterward!
And yes --South Street Seaport is VERY touristy. Really the only designated tourist-spot in Manhattan, with lots of shops and overpriced stuff. But it's great for families, kids love the ships as do adults, and the many restaurants are quite decent.
I will add that this is not the same type of trip as the Adirondack Schooner & Yacht Cruise Tours --I still highly recommend the Schooner Tours from Sail NYC. They are smaller schooners and have a different feel. I recommend the small schooner for those wanting a more intimate atmosphere.
Clipper City tall ship hours and costs
7 days a week- 90 minute sails-10AM 12:30PM 3PM 7PM
Tickets: $39 for adults- $17 for kids (18 and under)
Clipper City is docked on the east dock of South Street Seaport at Pier 17

River to River Festival- FREE music and more in downtown NYC

The River to River Festival takes place from June to August each year in various public downtown NYC spots--Chambers Street down to the Battery Park/South Street Seaport. They have a series of FREE events: concerts, ranging from opera to hip-hop; and other events, such as the Public School Dance Contest, special events for kids, etc. Here are a few interesting, free upcoming events (go to the website for full schedule):

• Movie Nights On The Elevated Acre: The Seven Year Itch -July 6 8PM-55 Water St. (Multiple nights for movies)

• EAT: World Financial Center Restaurant Showcase- July 9 -Winter Garden-11AM

• Seaport Music: Casiokids, The Wave Pictures and Slow Club-Aug 7 6PMCasiokids (Norwegian electro-troupe playing afro-beat, techno and out-and-out pop), The Wave Pictures (“sweetly, simply soporific”), and Slow Club (“UK’s answer to The White Stripes”)... FREE 6PM South Street Seaport Pier 17

• Richie Havens- Four Nights of Peace, Love & Music: A Castle Clinton Tribute to Woodstock- July 23 7PM Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park / State Street and Battery Place / 212.835.2789Tickets will be distributed 2 per person outside Castle Clinton on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 5:00PM on the day of the show.

• Arlo Guthrie-Four Nights of Peace, Love & Music: A Castle Clinton Tribute to Woodstock- July 30 7PM (see above for tickets and location)

• John Kelly Sings The Joni Mitchell Songbook: "Songs for a Shiny Hot Night" Four Nights of Peace, Love & Music: A Castle Clinton Tribute to Woodstock- Aug 6 7PM Castle Clinton-tickets will be distributed 2 per person outside Castle Clinton on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 5:00pm on the day of the show. FREE. his is a HOT ticket.