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Entertainment NYC

5 Things to Do Downtown

 

 

Entertainment in Downtown NYC

Downton Manhattan is a tourist’s dream. Your choice of entertainment is really only limited by your imagination. There is something for everyone on this life-affirming island. Whether you’re after a taste of history, mouth-watering food, or incredible views, you’ll find it in downtown NYC. You’ll need a few days to take it all in, so make sure you book a comfortable hotel. You’ll want to spend your downtime chilling on your comfy hotel bed watching movies or playing online casino games (no need to worry about a casino dress code) and resting your weary feet in between some truly awesome experiences.

Ride the Ferry

So where to begin? Let’s start with daytime entertainment. If the weather is good, take yourself off for a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. You’ll get glorious views of Lower Manhattan, and as an added bonus you’ll get to see the Statue of Liberty from the water – for free! So, if you don’t manage an actual visit to Ellis Island to see the Lady up close and personal, at least you’ll be able to say that you got a good look, albeit from a short distance. Having said that, if you’ve got the time and inclination, we do recommend taking that trip to Ellis Island for a proper visit. Be sure to plan your trip and book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Walk the Bridge

Visitors on a budget, fear not! There are plenty of ways to experience Downtown NYC without spending a fortune. The Staten Island ferry is free, so that’s a good start. But walking is also free. And walking across the Brooklyn Bridge will undoubtedly give you the New York feeling you’re looking for. The views are magnificent, and the experience is unforgettable. Follow that up with a visit to Battery Park and discover the parks’ monuments dedicated to soldiers, inventors, explorers, and immigrants. 

Explore the Seaport

After you’ve taken your rest, head back out and make your way to the South Street Seaport. Explore the charming, cobbled streets, gawp at the gorgeous buildings, take photos of the Brooklyn Bridge, and then stop for a bite to eat at one of the many yummy eateries that you’ll find dotted about the place. If you’re visiting in winter, look out for the ice-skating rink. Or pop into the local maritime Museum for a short, but sweet history lesson.

Dine Somewhere Historic 

When evening rolls around, you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you entertained and well-fed. However, if you want to celebrate the occasion, head to Pier A Harbor House. You can choose to eat outside by the water for a casual dining experience (we recommend an early, sunset dinner), or you can take it up a notch and head up to the 2nd floor for a more formal dinner. Either way, you’ll get to enjoy your meal while in a historic, NYC landmark. Harbour House first opened its doors in 1886 and has since been lovingly restored to reflect its historic importance.

View the Night-Time Skyline

NYC is the city that never sleeps, so taking in views of the city at night can be just as spectacular as the city by day. Why not head up to the One World Observatory (Freedom Tower) for an incredible view of the big city in all its bright lights. During the summer season, the Observatory allows visitors to enter up to 8 pm and then stay as late as 9 pm. You certainly won’t regret an evening visit. Just as you won’t regret an evening walking tour. Plenty of tour companies offer night tours, and these can be a great way to escape the heat and bustle that comes with day tours. 

Categories
Bars Dining Featured NYC

The Greens New Rooftop Pier 17 Summer 2020

A new rooftop food & beverage experience features 28 mini lawns for responsible alfresco dining, summer cocktails, special programming, and lawn games

Living in Lower Manhattan has so many perks when we first launched Downtown 11 years ago, we had the tagline living high in Lower Manhattan. At the time where else could you find bowling allies and indoor pools with spas, putting greens in any other place in New York City?

Even as COVID is knocking our cities every which way our incredible, developers are looking at ways to keep you safe, offer unique dining, cocktail, and relaxation opportunities. We have not had the pleasure of experiencing The Greens but we will be back to you in a few days with our top 5 years to add this to your “must-do” list for 2020 Summer.

The Greens, New York City’s premier open-air rooftop venue transforms into the ultimate outdoor dining retreat this summer. Looking for something unique and fresh versus the typical New York City summer rooftop experience, The Greens is a casual, socially distance-minded destination launching this August on The Rooftop at Pier 17®.

Why not consider fun and a beautiful scenic escape for trend-forward cocktails and seasonally focused fare against the iconic New York skyline?

The Greens comprises 28 individual 14 x 14 square-foot mini lawns to accommodate up to eight diners with cabana-style lounge chairs, an umbrella, installed Yeti Cooler for beverages, USB port for charging electronic devices and more. Designed with the health and safety of guests as a top priority, each mini lawn provides plenty of space coupled with proper cleaning procedures to dine and socialize responsibly.

Safety measures include hand sanitizers throughout the rooftop and touchless ordering directly from the guests’ personal mobile phones.

Each mini lawn features a unique QR code that when scanned will populate an online menu to order from. Chase is the preferred payment partner of The Greens. Should the mini lawns be fully occupied, the North and South patios on The Rooftop will also be open and operating for dining service with a view.

The all-day menu provided by the rooftop restaurant R17

Blending an approachable New American cuisine with a complimentary beverage program using only top-quality, seasonal ingredients. Sample dishes and cocktails include:

  • Salmon and Summer Squash Kebab, grilled with salsa verde
  • Tomato, Strawberry and Cucumber Salad, feta, sourdough, and nasturtium vinaigrette
  • Crispy Organic Chicken Sandwich, chili mayo, iceberg and tomato
  • Fish and Chips, remoulade and lemon
  • Frozen Jalapeno-Watermelon Margarita, Hornitos, jalapeno-infused watermelon juice, agave, kiwi liqueur float
  • The Sapphire, Grey Goose, blue curacao, fresh lemon juice, blackberry syrup
  • The Greens, Sipsmith Gin, basil, thyme, mint, citrus juices

 

The Greens New Rooftop Pier 17 Summer 2020
The Greens Rooftop Seaport New York

 

The Greens will also feature four gaming lawns to be enjoyed for groups of up to eight people.

Spanning 12 x 48 square feet, each gaming lawn will have available games to rent such as bocce ball, cornhole, giant Jenga, and more. Additionally, a stage featuring a 32 feet-wide LED screen capable of streaming live TV will adorn the north side of The Rooftop.

Guests can look forward to special experiences this summer including sports broadcasts, live music, and DJs as part of Seaport Sounds presented by Heineken®, and the return of Seaport Cinema, Seaport FIT and Seaport Kids programs. Throughout the season these visitor experiences and others will also be elevated through engaging consumer activations by Pier 17’s founding partners including Heineken®, Chase, Lincoln, and PepsiCo.

As part of the Seaport District’s mission to support local community initiatives, each online reservation will incur a $1 booking fee which will be donated to a local civic organization.

“With the launch of The Greens, the Seaport District has created a way for Lower Manhattan to enjoy the perks that our rooftop experience has to offer while remaining in strict compliance with social-distancing guidelines,” said Saul Scherl, President of the New York Tri-State Region, The Howard Hughes Corporation®. “When the rooftop is open, public access will also remain available for all visitors as required, which this year includes shaded covered areas. We look forward to welcoming people back to the historic neighborhood this summer, and have made sure that all government guidelines have been put in place to ensure a safe and fun time for all.”

Following two memorable seasons that named The Rooftop at Pier 17 “Best New Concert Venue” by Pollstarthe 2020 Summer Concert Series will be on hiatus this year but will be returning in 2021 with a strong lineup and exciting third season.

 

 

The Greens New Rooftop Pier 17 Summer 2020
The Green Pier 17 Rooftop

The Greens – open 7 days a week from 11 am – 11 pm, weather permitting. Online reservations for the mini lawns and gaming lawns are preferred and can be made in advance by visiting Pier17ny.com.

 About The Rooftop at Pier 17®

The Rooftop at Pier 17® is New York City’s premier open-air venue set against panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan skyline. The 1.5-acre rooftop, located within the revitalized Seaport District, serves as a year-round community amenity and cultural event space accommodating a wide array of programmings such as live music, sports, movie nights, and fitness classes. R17, The Rooftop’s restaurant, and cocktail lounge, also changes its menu to coincide with The Rooftop at Pier 17’s seasonal transformations from a Winterland experience, complete with the city’s first open-air rooftop ice skating rink, to an outdoor performance venue in the summer.  Recently named a VenuesNow “All-Star” and awarded “Best New Concert Venue” by Pollstar, The Rooftop at Pier 17 hosts an annual Summer Concert Series presented by The Howard Hughes Corporation® in partnership with exclusive booking partner Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. For additional information, visit www.pier17ny.com.

 

 

Categories
Architecture Design Lifestyle Living

5 River Park has the BEST Views of Brooklyn and Manhattan

Written and Photographed by Addison Franz

Where Cobble Hill meets Brooklyn Heights, River Park emerges as Brooklyn’s newest luxury neighborhood, encompassing an area of nearly 1-million-square-feet.

River Park will eventually be a collection of seven new residential properties: Polhemus Residences, Polhemus Townhouses, and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 River Park. Polhemus Residences and Polhemus Townhouses are completed and expecting residents soon. 5 River Park is celebrating its recent construction topping out. 1 and 2 River Park are the next to rise, and 3 and 4 River Park will be in the last phase of the development.

I had the opportunity to visit 5 River Park, a beautifully-designed building by architect Douglas Romines. This coveted condominium is being developed by Fortis Property Group and will be comprised of 25 larger-than-life residences. Each floor is different, and the building offers one- to four-bedroom living spaces along with three levels of amenity spaces. This will include dual-level garden promenades, a resort pool, an outdoor kitchen, a private playground, steam and sauna rooms, and more.

With its enticing location, the building is a photographer’s paradise; it is the perfect median between land and sea. From the top of the 16-story building, you have a spectacular view of Manhattan on one side and of Brooklyn on the other. On the ground, it’s conveniently located near a Trader Joe’s, several coffee shops, a few parks, and anything else that you could want. Not to mention, the building is less than ten minutes away from Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the rest of the waterfront.

In an attempt to capture the feeling of a townhouse, the upper floors will be exclusively accessible by key. As soon as you exit the elevator, you are greeted by your own hallway leading to your lavish living space.

If you have any interest in making 5 River Park your new home, it is located at 347 Henry St and apartments are currently on the market from $1.15M to $4.4M.

Categories
Culture Entertainment Events

Where to Watch The Fireworks This 4th of July

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The 4th of July is one of those holidays you either love or hate. My family is in the latter camp because for us, the holiday was always spent coddling our terrified border-collie. The loud unpredictable bangs were too much for her neurotic demeanor. I however, unlike my dog, and most house pets, love the 4th of July. Something about the gathering of friends and family under a lit-up night sky reminds me of New Years Eve, hope and excitement for the future. I am also a sucker for a classic burger and seasonal attire.

Many New Yorkers will flood the highways this weekend to escape the city for a relaxing few days. However, staying here does not mean you will have to miss out on the wonders of 4th of July fireworks. New York City is full of rooftop bars with breathtaking views of the skyline, perfect for watching the colors erupt over the city. Another special way to witness the celebration is from a sailboat or cruise.

Here are some picks from Downtown for great places to watch this year’s fireworks:

 

Penthouse 808 at Ravel Hotel

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The Standard, East Village

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The Ides Rooftop Bar at the Wythe Hotel

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Hudson Hotel Sky Terrace

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South Street Seaport

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World Yacht 4th of July Cruise

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Shearwater or Clipper City Sail

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