No matter where you go in New York City, there’s sure to be a park nearby. It’s one of the best things about the city. They’re our little ways to escape the hustle and bustle of the buildings, people, and cars around us. There are a ton that aren’t frequented by tourists, which is surprising, because some of them are absolutely beautiful.
One of my favorite parks is located on the other side of the East River and provides an unparalleled view of the skyline. Gantry Plaza State Park is accessible by the ferries as it is one of the stops, or just off the 7 train in Long Island City. It used to be the railyard and docks where rail cars were loaded and unloaded onto barges to cross the river. The gantries still stand on the water's edge, above ends of tracks left in place to remind visitors of its history. This park is beautiful during the summer with tons of places to lay out in the sun and see the city from a new and beautiful angle.
Find your way with 304 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
I stumbled across a store about which I had read but never visited—the very inviting and colourful playground of Dawn Harris-Martine), retired teacher, now famous—named Grandma’s Place.
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"Sisters Uptown Bookstore" in NYC is a hidden shop/cultural center w/ an eye-opening trove of books by African diaspora authors. A true neighborhood spot!
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Take a sip of history with a classic cocktail at Campbell Bar, right by Grand Central — once an office, then a jail, now an elegant jazz venue worth a visit.
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Look behind the grey steel doors and find El Sabroso! A satisfying wayback experience rewarded with good-tasting Ecuadorian food, lovingly prepared.
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Color World sets up on the corner of 116th and 2nd Avenue, rain or shine. There they serve beef, pork, goat, oxtail, and chicken for $10 a plate.
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Their prices are in keeping with the neighborhood: a plate of two eggs, two pancakes, 'home' fried potatoes and your choice of sausages or bacon, is $12.
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There are three houses not far from each other in NYC of three icons: James Dean, James Baldwin, and Dorothy Parker...
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"Heckscher Field" in Central Park, New York, is used for softball. Here you can see games played for the Broadway Show League. Celebrity stars may be seen.
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Juilliard dazzles NYC with stunning free recitals, world-class talents, and a legacy that echoes through every note played within its storied halls.
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Among its offerings are a $10 breakfast special and its enormous $15 lunchtime hamburger, a price unobtainable anywhere else within walking distance.
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This sun soaked park bench is a destination neighborhood residents know, spending time there in observation. It’s one of the more fabulous NYC stages.
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"Monumental Women" has erected this monument in Central Park, NYC to especially important figures in the United States women's equality movement...
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304 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
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