One balmy October day, while riding a CitiBike from the lower Bowery to Sheridan Square, I came across an arresting garden called the Elizabeth Street Garden. It is the former site of a large, important school house. The now vacant lot was reclaimed in the 1990s by a local artist/merchant who reorganized it into a sculpture garden filled with his architectural reclamations posed as sculptures, and which is now busy with people calming themselves, eating their lunches, performing fashion shoots and otherwise utilizing the grounds in a way that I see only in New York.
To be honest, I don’t really see evidence of the kind of energy it takes to reclaim such a site, or the creativity it takes to develop it, in other, younger cities I visit. Not really a destination, it serves as a point of (self) discovery and, perhaps, chance meetings with others who live or work nearby, or who have also stumbled upon it.
The site is located in what used to be Little Italy but is now a kind of no man's land, neighbourhood-wise, as Little Italy has morphed into something indescribable, ‘rebranded’ as NoLita, Chinatown or some other name that will further rent increases, real estate speculation and development.
It is development that threatens this precious space now. See it while you can because the city issued an eviction notice to the Elizabeth Street Garden in September 2021.
Find your way with 304 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
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Taco toppings include cheese (Cotijam, oaxaca and mozzarella), pineapple, jalapeños and pico de gallo. Norteñas & Cubanos sandwiches are not to be missed.
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"Dinastia" is a great Cuban-Chinese restaurant in New York City. They definitely make soul food here. Consider the squid and rice: it's always good...
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"Studio Museum in Harlem" in New York focuses on local, national and international artists of African descent and other work inspired by black culture...
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Its bright neon sign is easy to spot. Stand Up NY feels like a proper theater as it has a street-level entrance and the programming is mad extensive,
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This year's "NYC Pride March", World Pride, will be held in the city to commemorate the Stonewall Riot of 1969. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime event!
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A walk through Central Park in New York is probably your best way of appreciating the folliage change colors. I recommend walking along the allée of elms.
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The American Folk Art Museum in New York hosts free live jazz and eclectic concerts, with thoughtful exhibits and a folksy gift shop worth browsing.
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"Sisters" in New York is a Jamaican restaurant. Let's put it like this: when I go to Jamaica, I don't seek a restaurant until I come back!
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"Patisserie des Ambassades" in New York has extensive opening hours and prepares dishes & desserts for every time of day. It's refreshingly old-fashioned.
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