Kayaking on the Hudson

At 72nd on the Hudson, of Riverside Park, the Downtown Boathouse offers FREE kayaking on Saturdays and Sundays, May 6- Oct 11, 10-5PM. They provide the kayak, paddle, life jackets (thank god) and brief instruction. My boyfriend and I did this once and it was a blast; lots of laughs and just nerve-wracking enough to provide a frisson of excitement. It's not as easy as it looks. Which makes it a bit more fun. There can be a wait but it is worth it to say you kayaked on the Hudson...and in the 400th anniversary year of Henry Hudson's voyage up the Hudson!

Boat Basin Cafe on 79th and Hudson...

While I am not a super big fan of the Boat Basin Cafe anymore (I think I have been "aged out": it has gotten more like a frat party on Friday and Sat. night and seems more geared towards singles and younger people than I...), it is a real party atmosphere and great for mingling and hanging out. They have a Happy Hour M-F 4-7PM--drinks $2 off. It is really a scene here. And fun to be outdoors, I have to say.
Here's the rundown from their website.

The Boat Basin Café is a casual outdoor restaurant, arranged in three sections & located in Riverside Park at the end of 79th Street on the Hudson River. There is an open air patio that overlooks the Marina and the Hudson River with breathtaking views of the sunsets over New Jersey. The covered Rotunda section in the middle of the restaurant has limestone arches overlooking the open air patio. All BBQ Grill parties are held underneath this covered area. The last section is our circular open air area where most of our bar parties are held, weather permitting.

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Wednesday – 12 noon till 11:p.m.

Thursday and Friday - 12 noon till 11:30 p.m.

Saturday 11 am till 11:30 p.m.

Sunday 11am till 10 p.m.

(All Weather Permitting)

(See Home Page for Spring and Fall Hours of operation)

GMA Concert Series now in Central Park

I was interested to read that Good Morning America is now filming its summer concert series in Central Park at Rumsey Playfield...(enter at 5th and 69th and it is right there...or walk east across at 72nd at Central Park West....). While of course these are limited 'concerts" (generally 3 songs, I think) they do tend to get excellent artists. And of course it is free..first come first served, and they recommend you be there at 6AM (when the park opens). "Concerts" start around 8:30AM.
Here are the remaining concerts for August:
Friday, Aug. 7 -- David Cook, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert
Friday, Aug. 14 -- Kenny Chesney
Friday, Aug. 21 -- Reba McEntire

Jones Beach -The Ocean, and Everything Else

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.

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.

High Line- It's a Park! It's a Club!

I've yet to visit the High Line park downtown-- but today's story in the Times shines a light on the progress that's been made on this park, creatively constructed on top of an old elevated railway. The atmosphere sounds hip --without the annoyance factor of hip.
Since it runs from Little West 12th/Ganesvoort up to 20th Street on the West Side, it attracts an interesting mix of people, while at the same time offering visitors a chance to interact freely--and for free. From the story, it sounds as if it prompts that odd friendliness I've experienced among Manhattanites whenever they're in the midst of something unique and new (which seems to give us license to talk to each other) :
"It even inspires crusty New Yorkers to behave as if they were strolling down Main Street in a small town rather than striding the walkway of a hyper-urban park — routinely smiling and nodding, even striking up conversations with strangers."
While it isn't about to beat Central Park for natural beauty (you may be elevated--but you're elevated on top of a road), it's one more "only in New York" place.
A park on top of an elevated railway. I love it.
High Line Hours and location
Open 7AM -10PM
Enter at 20th, 18th, 16th, 14th and Gansevoort Streets at 10th Avenue.

Learning to Fly-Trapeze Lessons in NYC!

The NY Times has a story today about Trapeze School New York --aka "that place where Carrie goes to conquer her fear of heights, and, metaphorically, more....".
If you're not a Sex and the City fan, in plain English, that means "that outdoor trapeze thing next to the Hudson that I look at when I am passing in a cab and think 'one day I'll do that...!".
On West Street at Houston, they offer various classes in various aerial arts. They also have some indoor classes (tho what fun is that...?) at 518 West 30th.
Classes in flying trapeze are $60 for 2 hours (plus $22 "first time reservation fee") and 10 people max. Here's their backgrounder: "Classes are 2 hours long and are taught in groups of up to 10 people. No prior experience is necessary. First-time students will learn the knee-hang and may even be able to try a catch. All students will have the opportunity to advance their skills."
It sounds like fun--tho the cringe factor for people like me who hate embarrassing themselves sports-wise appears rather high. Oh well, who cares. "Only in New York"!

More free music-Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival

I just received notice from City Winery--one of my fave music spots in Tribeca (Varick and Spring) of FREE summer Tuesday nights of wine and music...what they are calling the 1st Annual Hudson Square Music and Wine Festival. Every Tuesday from 5-7 they'll have free music as well as a Farmer's Market and...wine. Well, I've had enough wine, thank you very much--but the rest of it sounds pretty interesting, and it could be a hot young crowd. We'll see. I like the City Winery for music --they have great shows at a great price--so this might be a fun event. Every Tuesday 5-7PM through Aug 11th. Aug 4th they have country rock; Aug 11 afro-soul.

Concerts in the Parks-NY Philharmonic, live and free

The New York Philharmonic gives a series of free outdoor concerts each July. This year on July 14 and 17th they'll be performing in Central Park on the Great Lawn (enter at 81st and CPW or 81st and Fifth Avenue to get there). The concerts start at 8PM and are free, of course. Like most Central Park concerts, this is really more of a "scene" than a musical event. The musical picks are usually crowd-pleasers (or classical- music -crowd pleasers), and frankly it is really for hanging out and saying you went there. I usually avoid it but it is an event, and out of towners will be impressed by the beauty of the location and the fact that so many New Yorkers manage to get together in one place without killing each other (though there is a definite divide between the music buffs who actually come to hear the music, and the "rest" who come to hang out in the park on their blankets and drink wine and eat cheese and talk and let their kids and dogs wander. ..which is fun too. But....really only if you ...like. Being. With. Lots. Of. People. In a crowded space. Not really for the music. But...an event!!!