Posting about the concerts at Jones Beach in Long Island reminded me that while I haven't been there in awhile--and, frankly, I prefer the New Jersey Shore (more on that later) as I like a quiet beach for contemplation--it is really wonderful fun if you're going with friends. It's a gorgeous vista and the boardwalk is 2 miles long. Some areas are more crowded than others...but there is a lot to explore, lots of concessions, mini golf, shuffleboard, etc.
Also they have the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center--located on on a barrier island beach. They have an exhibit area and stuff geared towards kids (outside the exhibit area kids can dig up whale bones in the Discovery Bone Cove, walk through the butterfly garden or view a shipwreck). An environmental boardwalk takes you out into the dune environment to see plants and animals that live there.
HOW TO GET THERE
Jones Beach is reachable in 45 minutes by the Long Island Railroad (leaving from Penn Station at 34th St and reachable by the Number 1,2 and 3) (here's the link to the lowdown --here's another link to the schedule to Freeport, LI.) and they have an excellent package--LIRR Jones Beach Package-- 16.50 from NYC leaving from Penn Station about every half hour. Once you arrive the LIRR has a shuttle bus to the East and West Boathouses and Mall. Buses run from and to the train on a limited schedule--you can still reach the train after these hours but you would have to take a taxi or walk...presumably a bit of a walk:
- Weekends starting at 8:49 AM, return up to 5:35 PM; 8:06AM/10:45 PM from 6/21-8/31
- Weekdays starting at 8:58 AM, return up to 10:45 PM
- Buses run later on concert evenings. Bus service is available before and following each performance, and the package will remain available through the final concert date.
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.
Yes, you CAN go bowling in NYC! It's not as cheap as it is in the suburbs, but the kitsch factor is worth it. And each of the alleys below has, apparently, a hot club or lounge to accompany it.
This is a super thing to do if you are in your teens or 20s. For families, not all the lanes are as appropriat (eg Bowlmor).
Actually the only time I tried to go bowling in NYC, the place (Bowlmor) was booked up for the whole evening for a corporate event. In fact most of these places seem to have a lot of corporate events, so you may want call ahead and reserve, tho you can also take your chances since some of these places, like Bowlmor and Lucky Strike, are as much about their club atmosphere and lounges as they are about bowling.
Here's a rundown courtesy of New York magazine:
Lucky Strike--college age or 30s. 624-660 West 42nd Street (on the West Side Highway--really out of the way so take a cab there). 646-829-0170.. Monday nites after 8PM there is unlimited bowling til the close for $22. Club atmosphere...
Bowlmor---Geared towards college age. 110 University Place near E 12th St. 212-255-8188. Kitschy. Lots of NYU students and the Pressure Lounge upstairs a "rowdy nightclub" (very pretty also). A real scene.
300- Chelsea Piers- Pier 60-212-835-2695. West Side Highway around 23rd St. Kids and families in the day. Nighttime it "goes more disco". "Postgame drinks in the Loft, a lounge that overlooks the entire alley. "
Leisure Time/ Frames-- 625 8th Ave. near 40th (Port Authority). 212-836-9695. Newly renovated, this looks good on the website at least. More commuters, more serious. Not the best location so you really have to want to bowl to go here.
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
I usually avoid Dylan's Candy Bar at Third Avenue and 60th St., since most of the time it's packed with kids and tourists. But my 85 year old mother and I went on a lark-- and she loved it! I finally lost my grumpiness as well when they started playing "Sugar, Sugar" (still one of my fave songs). Dylan's is-obviously-heaven for kids, but really it is fun for everyone. Let's face it-adults like candy as much, if not more than, kids. And they have a "nostalgia" section where you can find Sky Bars, Teaberry Gum, Buns, Mallo Cups, and more.
Another plus--the service is VERY friendly. Clearly the kids they hire are well-trained in customer management and they are patient and helpful.
Bulk candy runs $10.99 a pound, and they also have fudge, and a sweets cafe upstairs with ice cream and cupcakes (the cafe looked a little sterile however).
Lots of fun for the kid in all of us.
Midsummer Night's Swing is Lincoln Center's July 7-25th. Tues-Sat. outdoor dance event for professionals, amateurs, and just-watchers. It's one of those "only in New York" experiences that just makes you feel happy being there-whether you ware only walking by or decide to take the lessons they offer beforehand....or brave the dance floor. Most start at 6:30 with a dance lesson (free), and 7:30 with the live music. The bands are often world-renowned. This is fun for everyone, and a great thing for young kids also. You don't have to be inside the dance circle to enjoy hanging out...some of the best people-watching in town can be found here, and in New York that's saying a lot! All sorts of music and dance--from rockabilly to jazz to Latin to world music. Thursday July 9th has the Woody Herman Band (big band, swing); Friday, July 17th features the Best Dance in Town: Rockabilly.
When-Tues-Sat. July 7-25, 2009. Usually starts at 7:30 (lessons at 6:30).
Where: Damrosch Park, 62nd between Columbus and Amsterdam.
I have relatives on both sides of my family who were soldiers in the Revolutionary War and I really wanted to spend the day at the NY Historical Society, two blocks from my apartment, and which every Independence Day has a Revolutionary War re-enactors and Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and others. What a blast! My friend Michele and I went and got to chat with Ben (I warned him about the key and kite business but he wouldn't listen!)--and one of the soldiers (the guy on the left above) who showed us how to bayonet someone (SCARY as I was on the receiving end!) and load a musket (this may come in handy some day...?). They also had a 1776 copy of the Decalration of Independence (one of multiple copies that were sent out July 6th, 1776 to various colonies--broadsides were the Twitter of 1776...). They also had a lot of crafts for kids. Only one day a year of course-- but they DO have other events throughout the year for adults and kids. Anyway it was fun --and free! Closed July 12-Sept.
