With lovely sunny spring weather, we strolled from Midtown into Chelsea which has a slightly more residential feel to it. The Grey Dog is a trendy eatery popular with locals for brunch and it set us up for another day of sightseeing. Then on to the subway to make our way south for the Staten Island Ferry.
There are several boat tours taking in Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty but for fantastic views for free, the Staten Island Ferry is a great option. Operating every 30 minutes, take the leisurely 25-minute journey across to Staten Island and take in the spectacular views of lower Manhattan and sail past the Statue of Liberty. If you avoid rush hour and queue up well in advance, you should manage to get a spot on the deck. Head to the right side on the way out and left on the way back for Manhattan views. We stood on the Brooklyn Bridge side on the way back which was much quieter. Not quite the same wow factor but nice to see both aspects.
Battery Park is situated next to the Staten Island ferry terminal and is a pleasant place to wander and appreciate the views. There is also a good play area if you have young children with you.
Another iconic location, the Financial District is only a short walk away. Jampacked with towering skyscrapers making up the Manhattan skyline, we stopped for a few quick photos of the New York Stock Exchange and Fearless Girl statue, a symbol of gender diversity in the workplace. Be prepared for crowds here.
Making our way back towards Midtown, we stopped off at the fabulous Chelsea Market. Take yourself on a foodie tour here with so many different cuisines to sample. The place is buzzing day and night and has a really fun vibe. The tacos at Los Tacos were delicious followed by fresh mini doughnuts at Doughnuttery with an interesting choice of flavoured sugars. Located in the Meatpacking District, with a long history of trading, this former biscuit factory has been transformed into a unique dining space whilst retaining its character.
Offering a different perspective on the city below, the Highline is a 1.45 mile park and is ideal for wandering between Chelsea Market and Hudson Yards. The elevated green space which was once a rail track serving the meatpacking district takes around 30 minutes from start to finish with interesting art installations on route.
Hudson Yards is a relatively new and modern neighbourhood and features a huge shopping mall. It is also home to the viewing platforms of The Edge and Vessel (soon to reopen). One from my daughter’s list, we had a quick stop in the shopping mall for Banana Pudding at Magnolia Bakery. Hard to compare to anything else, this combination of creamy vanilla pudding, sponge and banana was very yummy.
Fam Full of Wanderlust 