This site is closed to new comments and posts.

Notice: This site uses cookies to function.
If you are not comfortable with cookies then please don't browse this website.

Day off....what touristy thing to do? — Brooklynian

Day off....what touristy thing to do?

verucasalt
verucasalt
edited November -1 in Park Slope
I have this Friday off and I want to do something outside the house. Something kinda touristy and explorative. Any suggestions?

Love the movies but don't want to do that unless it rains.

So give me your best ideas and little known secrets of Brooklyn or Manhattan. :)

Comments

  • possibly_maybe
    possibly_maybe
    Head down to Coney Island! Lots to explore down there, and you can even do some more "conventional" things like check out the aquarium, ride the Cyclone, buy some trashy food, and sit on the beach as the sun sets and stick around long enough for the fireworks.

    If you have a bike, even better. There's lots to explore down there, including streets lined with old, small bungalows. If you head further east to where the Belt Parkway first enters the area, you can find the bike trail that does a 14-mile loop through the Canarsie area, into the Howard Beach area of Queens, across the bridge and along the wildlife refuge in Broad Channel, across another bridge into Rockaway Beach, and then follow the boardwalk to Riis Park & the Marine Parkway bridge, crossing that and heading up a bit to get back to where you started. It's a reallllly nice ride, close to the water most of the way.
  • booklaw
    booklaw
    Go horseback riding on the beach. The stable is off the Belt Parkway between Flatbush Avenue and the Canarsie Pier.
  • MOD
    MOD
    Museums, Parks, Shopping! The Met, Picnic in Central Park, MOMA, Chinatown: dumplings and cheap hand bags, visit all the historic cemeteries: greenwood & the lower manhattan ones. Governers Island picnic and rent a bike, Ikea and a meal in red hook.

    Personally I like to go shopping on weekdays, less crowds.
  • new2hood
    new2hood
    I vote Coney Island as well. Was there yesterday, and had an absolutely amazing old-school time. And, topped it off w/a cyclones day. I'm still having that "I love NY" feeling....
  • berit
    berit
    Go to Governor's Island. Free -- bike rentals on Fridays, ferries, concerts, movies.

    http://www.govisland.com/
    http://www.govisland.com/Visit_the_Island/default.asp
  • j0518
    j0518
    what never gets old to me is a walk down the Battery Park City Esplanade. there seems to be an invisible wall that keeps the tourists away once they hit that turn after Battery Park, and it just becomes incredibly beautiful. you can then brave a few tourists at the Winter Garden, where you can have yourself a nice Ciao Bella gelato, a great burger at P.J. Clarke's, or a nice fancy drink at Southwest NY. You can take a stroll at the Irish Hunger Memorial, check out that cool waterfall park thingy on one of the sidestreets in there, or cool down with a movie at the Battery Park City movie theater, which is my non-Ziegfield favorite in the city.
  • j0518
    j0518
    another idea.....take the 1 up to Marble Hill and explore the amazing northern stretches of Riverdale, which are like nothing you'll ever see in NYC. then check out Wave Hill.
  • tajmb
    tajmb
    Go check out the waterfalls. I read that if you take the free Ikea water taxi you can see all of them during the ride.
  • livetotravel
    livetotravel
    I also agree with Governor's Island. And the Brooklyn museum, Botanical Garden and Library are all world class - if you have never been, go, and make a day of it. Also...

    NY Water Taxi tour of The Waterfalls
    http://www.nywatertaxi.com/waterfalls?gclid=CJjqq4KDwJQCFQRJFQodSB2VUQ

    A tour of Crown Heights led by a Lubavich Chassidic Rebbe - www.jewishtours.com.

    Brooklyn Pizza Tour
    http://asliceofbrooklyn.com/
  • verucasalt
    verucasalt
    What awesome suggestions everyone. Thank you!
  • homeowner
    homeowner
    Rid your bike across the bridge and head uptown via the west side. When you get near the Circle Line (42nd Street) park, lock and hop on the speedboat that goes up and down the river. Its a great way to cool off before the ride back to BK.
  • j0518
    j0518
    homeowner wrote: Rid your bike across the bridge and head uptown via the west side. When you get near the Circle Line (42nd Street) park, lock and hop on the speedboat that goes up and down the river. Its a great way to cool off before the ride back to BK.
    I did the Beast once. First, they pull out teeny water guns to squirt you with. They continue to raise the ante until, by the end, they're dumping entire water cooler bottles on people's heads. Great fun, as long as you're not the unfortunate idiot getting the water cooler blast.
  • kikintina
    kikintina
    It's not super-touristy, but you could take a walk or bike ride (get a map at the entrance) through Green-Wood Cemetery. Bring water and a snack. (Yeah, I'm a mom.)
  • possibly_maybe
    possibly_maybe
    Oh, yes, Greenwood!
    I've been meaning to check it out for a while now since it's right across the expressway, and I've got plans with the gf to explore this coming weekend. I can't wait!
  • bill c
    bill c
    i think there was a previous thread about this but i believe there is no bike riding allowed in greenwood. still, it's a great place to explore on foot.
  • 1st_streeter
    1st_streeter
    Go watch the cute lemurs at the Madagascar exhibit in the Bronx Zoo.
  • sprite
    sprite
    If you haven't been to the Cloisters, you should check it out. Even if it's a really hot day, the cloisters are surprisingly cool, and they're very quiet and peaceful. It's a schlep to get up there, but it's worth it.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In

Categories