This a full day spent exploring New York City. Starting off with a great brunch in Tribeca followed by a visit to the September 11th Memorial. After taking in the moving memorial and museum stretch your legs with a bike ride along the Hudson River Path stopping at the High Line in the Meatpacking District and eventually Columbus Circle and a cozy neighborhood Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side.
Start the day right with breakfast in Tribeca at one of the best chill brunch spots in New York City, Bubby's in Tribeca. It's a very relaxed country house spot serving up pancakes in half a dozen different styles, including one with Fried Chicken of course...if you like that sort of thing ;). Whatever your order make sure you also get a buttermilk biscuit and finish off your meal with a slice of homemade pie.
The 9/11 Memorial is amazing site to see. If you have several days in the city I would suggest taking an afternoon and spending at the Memorial and Museum, there is a lot to take in. If you're doing all of Manhattan in a day then at least walk by the memorial on Greenwich so can see the reflecting pools. The space is enormous and gives you some perspective on the magnitude of that day.
You can follow the High Line north until it ends around West 34th street and 11th avenue. From here you will find another Citi Bike docking station located at the corner of 11th and 34th street. This is a pretty convenient location for you to hop back on the West Side highway bike path. From this location it will about another 10-15 minute ride north along the Hudson to the 59th Street docking station at West End (11th avenue) and 59th Street. This is a good location to dock the bike and walk to Columbus Circle. If you’d prefer to keep biking north to the Upper West Side there are a number of other docking stations along the Riverside Park.
The High Line is a beautiful elevated park and walkway that meanders throughout the Meatpacking and Chelsea. Greenery, colorful flowers and a great view make walking The High Line a very different experience than walking the streets of New York! In the summer you’ll find bar set-ups and small markets along the line. Depending on your speed, walking the High Line will take about 30-60 minutes.
The origins of the elevated tracks date back nearly 100 years to when freight trains were elevated to allow for safer travel into Manhattan and easier access directly into several factories which is why the line runs right through several buildings. By the 1980s however the line was completely unused by trains. In the last ten years it has undergone a transformation from an overgrown unused eyesore into a park and one of the more geographically and historically interesting, geo parks in the city.
If you choose to dock your bike near Columbus Circle you can walk to the 59th Street subway station. Take in Columbus Circle for a few minutes. Enjoy the sights and sounds and when you’re ready either walk north on Broadway just 5 blocks to see Lincoln Center (there is also a 1 train stop at 66th Street Lincoln Center) or head into to the subway at 59th street to head directly to dinner. To get to Celeste for dinner via subway, catch the 1 train north to 86th street. From 86th and Broadway you will be just a couple blocks away from Celeste.
If you love simple authentic Italian food in a cozy neighborhood joint then Celeste is your spot. Historically this was a no reservations - cash only type of space. You walk up, put your name with the friendly and always Italian speaking host and wait for a table. They have since started allowing reservations but it’s still cash only. The prices are very reasonable as far as New York restaurants go typically $10-$30 for an entree. The seafood is very fresh and delicious and you can’t go wrong with any of the pasta and pizza. Looking for local gems, this is one of them!
Levain is the perfect end to a perfect day. Whether you've treked across Manhattan or just finished lunch or dinner on the Upper West Side, it's always a good time for a Levain cookie. Levain is an Upper West Side landmark that serves some of the most amazingly massive and delicious cookies I've had. Grab a couple and stroll the tree lined street of your choice. Enjoy!
