Interesting NYC Experiences with Videos, Photos and Tips

Pros:

• Location - right next to the East River, overlooking midtown Manhattan skyline. The beach is open 7 days a week (from noon on the weekends) Memorial Day weekend (May) to Columbus Day weekend (October) so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and catch an amazing sunset over the skyline
• Sand - 400 tons imported from the New Jersey. Not like the fine white sand of the Caribbeans but feels equally amazing on the feet
• Activities - Volleyball nets are set up for free play during the day or night
• Atmosphere - very casual, no dress code, bring your own chairs/blankets, boozing outdoors. The atmosphere at Water Taxi Beach feels like a combination of being at the Bohemian Beer Garden (with its many picnic tables) and McCarren Pool Parties (with volleyball and sun-bathing opportunities and music)

Cons:

• Porta Potty - not much they can do here since there is no plumbing on the beach
• Food is somewhat limited to Hot Dogs and Fries. You may also find chef Harry Hawk grilling elk burgers, fish tacos, BBQ chicken or “soy” hot dogs
• Over-priced drinks - what else is new. You could get the $3 beer (PBR)
• Long Island City Location - in the sense that Long Island City is relatively deserted and the Water Taxi Beach will likely be the sole purpose of a visit to the Queens waterfront location. The 7 train (at Vernon Blvd) is the closest subway stations and a short Water Taxi ride from Manhattan drops you right on the beach for $4

Up for discussion

• Music - mostly house music with some live percussion, latin and afrobeats. Every Friday night is the “Turntables on the Hudson” party which is very energetic and usually gets everyone up and dancing until late into the night. Other nights could sometimes be a disaster as some DJs are obviously amateurs. What are your personal experiences?

Islandwoo (final word on Water Taxi Beach) and Tips to make your trip a little better: Don’t just go to the Water Taxi Beach for the music. Go with friends for the atmosphere. If the music is great, enjoy it. But there’s plenty of room on the beach away from the music to enjoy the evening of drinks outdoors. Arrive early on the weekend to lay out in the sand or play some volleyball. Definitely stay for the sunset as the transition from daylight to night lights always seem to bring people together! Bring a jacket for the cool windy nights.

(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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The Brooklyn Bridge spans over one mile connecting Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan and offering pedestrians who walk and bike across the bridge spectacular views of city skylines. Recently one of the four NYC Waterfalls is constructed underneath the Brooklyn Bridge visible from the Manhattan side.

Although walking across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan offers a more dramatic skyline view, the opposite path is equally charming. Of course be sure to stop once in a while and turn around to soak in the views.

Pedestrian access to the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn side is from either Tillary/Adams Streets (in between the auto entrance/exit), or a staircase on Prospect St between Cadman Plaza East and West. In Manhattan, the pedestrian walkway is accessible from the end of Centre Street, or through the unpaid south staircase of Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall IRT subway station.

The Brooklyn Bridge has a wide pedestrian walkway open to walkers and cyclists, in the center of the bridge and higher than the automobile lanes. While the bridge has always permitted the passage of pedestrians across its span, its role in allowing thousands to cross takes on a special importance in times of difficulty when usual means of crossing the East River have become unavailable.

During transit strikes by the Transport Workers Union in 1980 and 2005 the bridge was used by people commuting to work, with Mayors Koch and Bloomberg crossing the bridge as a gesture to the affected public. Following the 1965, 1977 and 2003 Blackouts and most famously after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, the bridge was used by people in Manhattan to leave the city after subway service was suspended.

Related Post: Scooting over the Brooklyn Bridge

(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)

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Hudson River Park runs along the west side of Manhattan offering greens for sunbathing, free concerts, and hundreds of outdoor activities.

The 850-foot long Pier 45 in Greenwich Village (cross at Christopher St) is NYC’s most picturesque pier for sunbathing and free activities. Amenities include shade structures, seating areas, wood decking and a stretch of grass lawn that has become a favorite spot for sunbathers. Nearby you can grab food and refreshments at the Regatta Cafe or catch the NYC Water Taxi. Pier 46 also has free fishing for all ages with Big City Fishing, as well as educational programs. Heat up, then cool down using Pier 45’s super interactive water feature -enjoy a spritz of fresh water right when you need it. The Hudson River Park Trust also sponsors free events on Pier 45 in the summer. Here is what’s going on this summer at Pier 45 & 46:

Sunset on the Hudson - Fridays at 7PM - Pier 45

Every Friday from June 6th to August 22nd, enjoy the beautiful sunset and mellow sounds of New York’s acclaimed guitar man David Ippolito from this spectacular grass-covered pier that stretches into the majestic Hudson River.

Stars of Tomorrow (Jazz and Classical Virtuosos) - Tuesdays at 6:30PM - Pier 45

Tuesdays hit a high note with jazz and classical performances from Mannes College The New School for Music and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music on one of Hudson River Park’s most beautiful piers by star students from around the city.

June 3 - Stu Bidwell Duo - Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
June 10 - Classical from MANNES COLLEGE THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC
June 17 - Becky Mimiaga Quartet - Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
June 24 - Classical from MANNES COLLEGE THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC
July 8 - Ross Clark Trio - Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
July 15 - Mallory Glaser Quartet - Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
July 22 - Classical from MANNES COLLEGE THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC
July 29 -  Classical from MANNES COLLEGE THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC
Aug 5 - Itamar Borochov Trio - Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Aug 12 - Classical from MANNES COLLEGE THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC
Aug 19 - Nick Paul Trio - Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

RiverFlicks for Kids - Fridays 8:30PM - Pier 46 at Charles St
Free movies for the whole family. And free popcorn!

July 11th - The Wizard of Oz (G)
July 18th - Bee Movie (PG)
July 25th - E.T. (PG)
August 1 - The Iron Giant (PG)
August 8 - The Goonies (PG)
August 15 - 5th Annual Showing of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971 Original Version, PG)
August 22 - Shrek (PG)

Big City Fishing - Tuesday to Sunday, July 4th - Labor Day, 10:30AM - 5:30PM - Pier 46 (& Pier 84)
Yes you can fish in the Hudson River and it’s Free!

Big City Fishing gives anyone and everyone the chance to fish. It’s an appropriate and fun activity for those as young as five. Because we practice catch-and-release fishing in Hudson River Park, all fish are returned to the river at the end of the program. All of the necessary supplies including rods, reels and bait, as well as formal instruction. Fishing poles are provided on a first come, first served basis, with a half-hour limit when others are waiting. Big City Fishing also provides participants with a first hand opportunity to learn about the Hudson River Estuarine Sanctuary. View plankton through microscopes, examine live specimens – caught that morning, either in traps or on someone’s line – and identify species using the Hudson River Park’s signature Fish Poster. Recently caught at Pier 46: American eel, striped bass, black sea bass, bluefish, oyster toadfish, cunner, white perch, flounder, porgy, blue crabs.

(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)

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Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is a great experience for anyone. Scooting over the Brooklyn Bridge is a unique experience that is becoming more common as New Yorkers look for more effective ways of navigating around the city.

Come along for a exciting ride on a Vespa across the Brooklyn Bridge, under the Manhattan Bridge and glimpse at the NYC Waterfalls in the evening sky.

(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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