A part of the river-walk along the Hudson, Pier I is one of the best-kept-secrets of the upper west side (though it may seem busy, many NY friends I have know nothing about it). A beautifully renovated, expansive pier, with an extensive outdoor cafe (tables and chairs are for both customers and non-customers), this is a great place to hang out. The pier itself has a gorgeous, uncluttered view of the Hudson. A wonderful place to relax on a Friday night--or any night--though the live music events, movies, etc. can really interfere with your solitude, so it is hit and miss in the summer if loud music bothers you (you can guess how I feel about it). You can check for upcoming events online. This is also a GREAT place to sit as long as you want in the morning with a coffee and croissant (bring your own, or they have coffee and pastries there). It's much quieter on weekday mornings than weekends, of course. The Pier I Cafe can get crowded but it's a far better choice than the way-overrated 79th Street Boat Basin cafe (which is getting noisy and dirty and beer-y). You can reach the pier by walking down along the river-walk, which you can enter from various exits in Riverside Park...or take the path from 72nd and Riverside, walking west, past the Eleanor Roosevelt Statue and dogrun. This takes you down some (steep) steps; or, there is an entrance at 68th and Riverside that takes you under the West Side Highway (I have yet to find this--but I have been told it is there!).
There is also a lovely boardwalk continuing down (south) from the cafe, with sweeping prairie grasses, and space for kids to run and play.
Oh--don't miss the FREE kayaking there as well! It's loads of fun and just scary enough to be exhilarating...and you can say you kayaked on the Hudson. One more cool thing about NYC!
Cafe Hours (May 1-mid, Oct-weather permitting)
Pier I Cafe is at W. 70th St. and Hudson River. RESTAURANT Hours: Monday-Thurs @ 12PM-11PM Friday 12PM-12:30AM Sat 11AM-12:30AMSunday @ 11AM -11PM. CAFE hours (coffee and pastry): M-F 7AM-1PM Sat and Sun. 7AM-4PM
Nearby Subway Stops: 1, 2, 3 at 72nd St.
I've spent some lovely times here. A wonderful place to get some peace from the busy-ness of the city, though it takes some effort to get here. Take a blanket and a book and relax on one of the hills between the pines not far from the entrance and the outdoor cafe (though you are only supposed to picnic on the tables by the Children's Adventure Garden).
Especially interesting is the 50 acre native forest, with many paths, and a lot of solitude. If you have hard time getting around, they have a hop-on hop-off tram as well.
Additionally they are open now some evenings. At Christmas they have a wonderful model train landscape that is made from all-natural materials--truly amazing, although you need to buy tickets ahead of time, generally, and it is a long wait even then to get in (at least it was for us). So be cautious about bringing young children as it can be a wait.
They have a decent cafe with outdoor and indoor tables near the entrance, and another cafe further inside the garden. It's a nice place to wait with a book if you get tired, and your companions want to do EVERYTHING...;)
This is fairly easy to get to by Metro-North--much more difficult by public transportation, where you have to take a long subway ride and then wait for a bus (or walk 8 blocks) in a not-so-great neighborhood to get you to the entrance. Spend the extra few dollars for the train from Grand Central. Oh, and by the way, when coming back by train, MAKE SURE you are on the right track going in the right direction! They change tracks occasionally and it can be confusing. Check the electronic board and/or ask your fellow passengers to make sure you are going to NYC and not upstate before you board! :
TO THE GARDEN BY METRO-NORTH-GRAND CENTRAL
By Metro-North Railroad: Round-trip tickets can be bought before boarding. Take the Metro-North Harlem local line to Botanical Garden Station. Walk across Kazimiroff Boulevard to the Garden's Mosholu Gate entrance.
Just 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan
Also convenient from other locations
HOURS
The Garden is open year-round, Tuesday to Sunday,10 a.m.-6 p.m. The Garden is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Mondays, except for the following dates: - September 7, Labor Day: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- October 12, Columbus Day: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
A part of the river-walk along the Hudson, Pier I is one of the best-kept-secrets of the upper west side (though it may seem busy, many NY friends I have know nothing about it). A beautifully renovated, expansive pier, with an extensive outdoor cafe (tables and chairs are for both customers and non-customers), this is a great place to hang out. The pier itself has a gorgeous, uncluttered view of the Hudson. A wonderful place to relax on a Friday night--or any night--though the live music events, movies, etc. can really interfere with your solitude, so it is hit and miss in the summer if loud music bothers you (you can guess how I feel about it). You can check for upcoming events online. This is also a GREAT place to sit as long as you want in the morning with a coffee and croissant (bring your own, or they have coffee and pastries there). It's much quieter on weekday mornings than weekends, of course. The Pier I Cafe can get crowded but it's a far better choice than the way-overrated 79th Street Boat Basin cafe (which is getting noisy and dirty and beer-y). You can reach the pier by walking down along the river-walk, which you can enter from various exits in Riverside Park...or take the path from 72nd and Riverside, walking west, past the Eleanor Roosevelt Statue and dogrun. This takes you down some (steep) steps; or, there is an entrance at 68th and Riverside that takes you under the West Side Highway (I have yet to find this--but I have been told it is there!).
