Kids plus – Page 3 – kaysnycways

An Inside Walk Worth Taking

NO UMBRELLAS NEEDED ON THIS WALK!

The Oculus at WTC — Inside The Oculus-Photo by me

I was with my Tribeca family and we walked from their apartment thru Brookfield Place down the escalators across the walk and onto Westfield which recently opened in the soaring space of The Oculus.

The Oculus! The Transportation Hub at the World Trade Center designed by the internationally renowned architect Santiago Calvatrava of Spain.

I thought it was stunningly beautiful! How do you combine a subway station and a mall into a grand open shining space…call on a famous architect that’s what you do. Amazing!

Best way to do this walk? I always suggest to check out websites to see what’s happening not only at Westfield, but also at Brookfield Place. They are connected and you’ll never have to go outside. Often special events are taking place that will just add to the fun. This is not a quiet walk, but it sure is exciting, especially the first time you do it. By the way, stopped at the new Eataly and enjoyed a lovely wine and pizza with my family overlooking the World Trade Center and the new Liberty Park.

It’s a huge place so when you go be sure to plan your day, don’t rush, people-watch, perhaps walk over to Brookfield Place and take in a view of the Hudson or do it all in reverse. Along your way, you’ll find many places to stop for something to eat plus, of course, a glass of wine or an old-fashioned to give your feet a rest and decide where your next steps will take you on this inside walk!

Enjoy!

Kay’s Notes:

Important to know: It can get a little crazy during commuting times – so keep in mind it is a transportation hub.

Websites: About The Oculus, Westfield and Brookfield Place

http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/transportation-hub.html

https://www.westfield.com/westfieldworldtradecenter

https://brookfieldplaceny.com/

Cost: Seeing the buildings- free. shopping, eating and drinking? As the old song goes sung by Frank Sinatra and Ruth Etting (back in the day) “It all depends on you”!

Where to eat: A huge selection of places- as of this post – not all opened but will be very soon.

Restrooms: Plenty

Kid Friendly: Without a doubt

*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.

Summer Streets Starts Today FREE! …Kay’s Free Pick

PARK AVENUE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR SUMMER STREETS

ONLY ON SATURDAYS – THREE DATES – TODAY AUGUST 6TH, AUGUST 13TH AND THE 20TH FROM 7 AM TO 1 PM!
Summer Streets 2016

Summer time and the walking is easy!

It’s fun to do. Lots of activities like music, a water slide, games, Zipline and lots and lots of people. But, only walkers, bikers, roller bladers, scooters, strollers, skater boarders, etc., are allowed. And, because I live on the UES, a stop at St Bart’s outside restaurant for a Mimosa is definitely in order to stay cool and watch the fun! Event is free – the Mimosa ??? Nope!

Citi Summer Streets Returns to NYC: Saturday’s 8/6, 8/13 & 8/20

From Summer Streets 2016 website -NYC Department of Transportation. Check it out – website below

“Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City’s most valuable public space—our streets. On three consecutive Saturdays in August, nearly seven miles of NYC’s streets are opened for people to play, run, walk and bike. Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation. In 2015, nearly 300,000 people took advantage of the open streets.

Summer Streets is modeled on other events from around the world including Ciclovía in Bogotá, Colombia and the Paris Plage in France and has since inspired other such events around the world such as CicloRecreo Via and London’s Regent Street Summer Streets.

Held between 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, Summer Streets extends from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, along Park Avenue and connecting streets, with easy access from all points in New York City, allowing participants to plan a trip as long or short as they wish. All activities at Summer Streets are free of charge, and designed for people of all ages and ability levels to share the streets respectfully.

Summer Streets is a project of the New York City Department of Transportation.”

Kay’s Notes: This post is a little late for today’s events – but in plenty of time for the 13th and the 20th.

Important to know: It’s a great walk – see the City along Park Avenue from a different perspective. Police are very helpful because cars still want to go cross town – and there are volunteers with signs that say “stop” or “go” or something like that. Definitely check out the website to see where along the route the activities take place.

Restrooms – Hotels along the way – couldn’t find if they are having any of those portable conveniences. But plenty of Starbucks and other restaurants a block east or west of Park.

Remember it starts at 7 AM and ends at 1 PM.

Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes – but no guarantees people.

What to do with a teenager visiting the City for the first time since she was three, I ask!

HERE’S WHAT!

Uniqlo and Bloomies, Zara, H & M

A pop up store in SOHO we went to all of them

We gave a wave to Liberty then ate at Battery Park

Met up with her cousin for fries at PJ Clark

Heading to see “Wicked” on a very stormy night

Traffic traffic everywhere, did gives us a fright

But rest assured we made it with extra minutes too

We settled in our seats and both gave out a.. whew!

Made it home by twelve … like Cindy at the ball

Into bed and ready for that early morning call

MOMA was exciting with the artist “It’s all true”

The temperature was rising, loved this cool venue

The Guggenheim! A treasure, thanks to Mr. Wright

Then Lincoln Center and its Plaza glowed for us one night

Along the shady Central Park, we strolled Fifth Avenue

We saw Met’s Manus x Machina, so beautiful to view

A get together with a friend she hadn’t seen in years

Oh those hugs and kisses and oh those many tears

But as the famous saying goes, “All good things must end!”

She left for home, but this I know – she’ll be back again!

Thanks to my beautiful niece (soon to be 17) for showing me a wonderful time in 4 short days!

Kay’s Notes:

Important to know: Go with the flow- my niece knew what she wanted to do. I just hit the highlights in my little poem… We spent more time at The Met to see on the roof the replica of the house from Psycho – and The Temple of Dendur. All the museums were packed because it was that notorious “heat dome’ weekend. We saved for a cooler time to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and do the Empire State Bldg among other sites.

I found out when she was leaving that the next time she’s here – she wants to go to several parks – and sketch. Sounds good to me…. blankets, some food, love it!

Good to know: Manus x Machina at the Met. It’s part of the Costume Institute at the Museum and the clothing is beautiful – well worth going to before it closes September 5.

*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.