Get out of Midtown! Top Five Ways to Spend The Day In New York City (A Family-Friendly Guide) Get out of Midtown! Top Five Ways to Spend The Day In New York City (A Family-Friendly Guide)
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Get out of Midtown! Top Five Ways to Spend The Day In New York City (A Family-Friendly Guide)

Boston and New York City–Two Major Cities with Rich Histories fueled by waves of Immigration, especially at the turn of the 20th Century. But that’s pretty much where the similarities end. While Boston is quite small and easy to manage (some drivers may disagree), New York City is massive and dense. So if you’re planning a trip or considering a move from Boston to New York City, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed.

Many visitors to The City (you should adjust to calling it that ASAP–do not say NYC!), spend their time around Midtown; they catch a Broadway show, “Ooh” and “Aah” at Times Square…but just like Boston is more than Faneuil Hall, the Midtown tourist area is far from the true depiction of life as a resident of The City. Whether you’re just visiting or you’re planning to relocate, check out our Top Five Ways to Spend the Day, a list of (family-friendly) Itineraries that we’ve compiled to help you get out of Midtown:

  • Lower Manhattan, Hudson Greenway, The Battery

Hop the Subway downtown to Chambers (1 or 2 train) and meander through the quaint TriBeCa neighborhood, cross the West Side Highway and stroll through the Greenway along the Hudson River all the way down to Battery Park. There are several great playgrounds, a system of connected indoor shopping/ food options and a large movie theatre if the weather isn’t cooperating. Don’t forget to slow down for a moment of peace and introspection at the 9/11 Memorial

  • Staten Island

Take a (FREE!) ride on the Staten Island Ferry, snap some pics of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as you cruise by. Once on The Island, head to Gavel Grill for lunch or hop the bus (S51) to Fort Wadsworth for a picnic and breathtaking city views under the Verrazano Bridge. If you plan to make a day of it, there are a number of beaches, parks, (indoor) skating rinks and even a small zoo; and don’t miss Denino’s Pizza for dinner!

  • Washington Heights, The Bronx

It’s no secret that The Met is one of The City’s major attractions, but their uptown branch is truly a hidden gem–so avoid the crowds and head up to Washington Heights (A train to 190) to Fort Tryon Park. Explore the Fort and lush Gardens before stopping into The Met Cloisters. This satellite branch of The Museum specializes in medieval art/ architecture in a peaceful, library-quiet setting. Next, consider a “lateral move” (walk East on Broadway for 15 minutes and jump on the Bx12-SBS bus) to check out the Bronx Zoo or NY Botanical Garden. Afterward, head to the Soundview Ferry (Bx39 bus) terminal for an evening cruise back down to Manhattan.

  • Rockaway Beach, Coney Island

Where do you go on a hot summer day in The City? Take your pick! Leaving hourly from Wall Street, the Rockaway Ferry will bring you straight to Rockaway beach: a 5.5 mile long quirky beach-side area of Brooklyn (Q Train to the End). Or go back in time with a trip to the storied Coney Island where you can get soaked on the Flume, ride the wooden Cyclone Coaster, admire stunning views from the Ferris Wheel, catch a Sideshow or hit one of the Arcades. Hungry? Grab a hot dog, fried clams, lobster roll or nice cold beer on the Boardwalk before relaxing on the beach. Expect some great people-watching in either of these spots!

  • Brooklyn Bridge, Park Pier 1, Dumbo, Prospect Park

Locals and Tourists alike flock to the Brooklyn Bridge on a daily basis (an average of 10,000 pedestrians per day!) and it’s worth doing at least once. A good place to start is City Hall Park (N/R/W Train) and once across the bridge head down to Park Pier 1 directly below and you’ll find a number of restaurants, storied pizzerias (Juliana’s vs. Grimaldi’s), the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory and the Jane Carousel (a few blocks over in Dumbo). If you’d prefer a less social area, take the Subway to Prospect Park (F train from York St to 15th St) and enjoy tons of green space, outdoor ice skating or live music at the Bandshell (depending on season).

The best way to explore ANY city is to venture into the neighborhoods beyond the conventional tourist areas, especially if you’re scouting locations for a future move! And if you are planning a Move to New York City, we can help:

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