Throughout the spring, summer and fall I try to eat alfresco all over the city while wiggling my toes in a patch of grass. Here are some of my highlights.
This is the park of all city parks, literally in the centre of
Manhattan. It is gigantic and impossible to see in one visit. If you want to check out
Conservatory Water (known by locals as the
Boat Pond),
Bow Bridge or
Bethesda Fountain in the lower half of the park, go to
Whole Foods in the
Time Warner Center first and take some of their dizzying selection of hot and cold prepared food to go.
If the Reservoir, Turtle Pond and Shakespeare Garden are more appealing to you, fill up your picnic basket at legendary gourmet food market Zabar's on 80th and Broadway. Go to www.centralpark.com to download free audio walking tours of the park.
Now this gated formal garden is actually part of
Central Park, but I think it deserves a special mention. Even though it is 30 blocks north of the park's
Alice in Wonderland statue, this flower-filled spot at 106th Street and 5th Avenue offers a more authentic "Alice" atmosphere. No Mad Hatter tea party would be complete without cupcakes, so on your way, make a stop
Make My Cake at bakery on 116th Street in
Harlem. The candy-coloured cafe makes a mean red velvet cake. If you’ve got some extra time duck into the
Museum of the City of New York across the street from the garden. It always has something interesting on show.
The High Line
This brand new park sits on a former elevated freight rail line. The
High Line will eventually be a mile and a half long, but for now only the
Meatpacking District and
Chelsea section is open from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street. After climbing a flight of stairs from the street, concrete pathways and planted areas with movable seating are revealed. It is a very unique spot in this urban jungle.
For a lunch to go in this area there is no contest. Head to Chelsea Market. Taking up a full city block, it houses more than a dozen gourmet shops offering everything from the most delicious brownies I have ever tasted, to sushi, pad thai, guacamole, salads, soups and much more. Two new spots deserve special mention, Jacques Torres chocolates and Bar Suzette Creperie bring a whole other level of decadence to the market.
Battery Park City Park
This is a smaller park sitting on a sliver of land between the
Hudson River and the luxury high-rise apartment buildings of
Battery Park City. In addition to lawns, a playground and ball courts, there are many hidden gardens and coves — all with a views of the Statue of Liberty. On your way towards the water, make a detour into the
Amish Market on
Park Place where you will find a delicious selection of salads and prepared foods.
I do not know of a park that offers a better view than this one on the
East River between the
Brooklyn and
Manhattan Bridges. This relatively new greenspace is still being developed and every few months there is something new to celebrate. One of the latest adds is a longer bike and pedestrian walkway. There are lots of places nearby to pick up provisions for your picnic or even bike front basket. My recommendation is either the
Bridge Fresh Food Market at 68 Jay Street or
Peas & Pickles Grocery at Washington Street and Front Street. The former has sharable snack packs of olives, cheeses, hummus and vegies in addition to the standard deli fare. The latter will certainly satisfy most cravings with its gourmet cheese selection, fresh produce and prepared burritos and wraps.
This is not a park in the traditional sense, but the
Socrates Sculpture Park located in the Long Island City neighborhood of
Queens is certainly worthy of a picnic if you have the time. The park is four subway stops out of Manhattan and requires about a 10 block walk once you get off the train, however the thought provoking modern sculptures and
Manhattan views make it more than worth it. Pick up some Italian cookies or pastries at any of the many bakeries that line
Broadway between the subway and the park. You may also want to pack some doggie treats if you want to make friends with the local population who enjoy a good run around the art. While you’re in the area you may want to check out
Noguchi the sculpture museum down the street.
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