City Walks: New York: 50 Adventures on Foot

By Henry de Tessan

This city was made for walking—navigate the sidewalks of New York with this updated guide.

Featuring brand-new walks, neighborhoods, restaurants, shops, and more, this revised guide reveals New York’s best-kept secrets as well as its best-known landmarks, from the Brooklyn Bridge to the High Line to the new Freedom Tower.

Each of the fifty tours includes a full-color map, walking directions, and highlighted stopping points. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to make the most of NYC—be it transplant, traveler, or native.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Mar 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781452165578

Book preview

1

BATTERY PARK

Battery Park is where New York got its start, and the area is home to a surprising number of interesting specialty museums and several memorials. Although the park itself is a bit small and overrun with tourists, it is densely packed with sites of historical significance.

Take the 4/5 train to Bowling Green. Before you start, check out the map at the park entrance that points out all of the memorials (there are more than 20—too many to list here) in case there are any in particular you’d like to visit. Then head south along the main path, past the Netherland Memorial to the Peace Sphere (1), which was once situated in the World Trade Center Plaza and was brought here after 9/11. You’ll then pass the Immigrants Memorial (2), in memory of the many people who have disembarked here over the centuries. Up ahead is Castle Clinton (3), built in 1811 to defend New York harbor. (Today it’s a visitor center where you can purchase ferry tickets for the Statue of Liberty.) Head right, past the Korean War Memorial (4) and Pier A to enter Robert F. Wagner Park. Visit the Museum of Jewish Heritage (5; 36 Battery Pl.) or head across the street to the Skyscraper Museum (6; #39), where visitors can get a crash course in New York’s architectural history through photos, models, and architectural drawings. Continue along Battery Pl. to the National Museum of the American Indian (7; One Bowling Green), a Smithsonian outpost filled with a diverse collection of artifacts, photos, and art. Catch the subway back at Bowling Green, or continue south to catch the scenic free ferry to Staten Island.

2

WALL STREET

This stroll showcases a number of historic landmarks that played a crucial role in the evolution of the city during its early years.

Take the 4/5 train to Bowling Green. Head south on State Plaza, looping around to the left. State St. runs into Water St. On your right, wedged between two towering skyscrapers, is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (1; 55 Water), an understated but moving tribute that displays the names of all the New Yorkers who lost their lives in the war and includes a selection of quotes. Cross Water St. and head north on Coenties Slip. Turn left to visit Fraunces Tavern (2; 54 Pearl), a reconstruction of the historic pub favored by George Washington. (History buffs should check out the small museum here.) Backtrack, turn left on Coenties, then right onto charming Stone St., the first paved street in New York, which dates back to 1657. Today, the Stone Street Historic District (3) is packed with upscale restaurant tables, but plaques provide details about the area’s early days. Stone St. dead-ends at the British Memorial Garden. Head through the garden to Wall St. and turn left. Budding capitalists should visit the Museum of Finance (4; #48). History was made when George Washington was inaugurated in 1789 at the Federal Hall National Memorial (5; #26). The famed New York Stock Exchange (6; #11) occupies a surprisingly small building. Continue on to Trinity Church (7), straight ahead. When built, it was the tallest building in the city. Stroll through the picturesque old cemetery. Catch the 4/5 train at the Wall St. station out