Manhattan daytrip: Battery Park City

The Esplanade at Battery Park City

We live in Manhattan, and this is where we take everyone — and I mean everyone — who visits us from out of town. Without exception, it has been one of our visitors most favorite NYC experiences. Battery Park City is a great outing on its own, and is also a lovely place to spend some time before or after visiting other downtown sights, such as Wall Street, Ellis Island, or the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. (If you are visiting those sights first, do this itinerary in reverse.)

Rockefeller Park

If you have kids, start your day at the playground at Rockefeller Park, which is at the northern most end of the Battery Park Esplanade. (The Esplanade is a beautiful river-front pedestrian walkway.) If you are not visiting with children, start your day at Rockefeller Park anyway because the park is so pretty, but follow the itinerary below starting at “afterwards you can.” (Scroll down to the bottom of this post for directions on how to get to Rockefeller Park by train, or by car.)

Your kids will love the playground at Rockefeller Park. There are sprinklers; great climbing apparatus; a foot-pedaled carousel as well as the bounce-on balls and tumbling tunnels you can borrow for free (just remember to bring photo ID) at the kiosk just north of the playground. Outside of this kiosk you’ll also find two pool tables, ping-pong tables and table hockey. Basketball courts are a few steps further north.

You’ll love the view. It doesn’t get much better than this—grass, trees, flowers and the Hudson River.

When you’re ready for a change of scenery, head across the street to Teardrop Park. You’ll find a huge children’s slide, just-big-enough rocks for the kids to climb on and spouting fountains for water play.

Getting to Teardrop Park: Exit Rockefeller Park playground, turn right on the walking path and walk towards residential apartment buildings. When you exit the park, you will be at the intersection of River Terrace and Murray Street. Cross River Terrace and walk on the left side of Murray Street. Walk past the corner building until you reach grass and trees. Turn left onto the path there and follow it to the park.  

The Esplanade is loved by joggers, bikers and strollers.

Afterwards you can:

Have takeout with a view. Walk south along the Esplanade for just a few minutes until you reach Brookfield Place. Inside, you’ll find Hudson Eats, an upscale food court with a gorgeous view of the yachts and sailboats docked in the marina. Choose from the vast array of food options, then grab a water-front table outside.

Eat at a river-front restaurant. Nearly half a dozen of them dot the length of the Esplanade. There are a two across from the marina and, further south, there are others. If you follow the Esplanade until you have to turn left, you will reach two restaurants with outdoor tables that have a gorgeous view of the Statue of Liberty.

Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. Walk south along the Esplanade until you reach the ferry terminal. It’s one of the most beautiful walks in the city. The ride on the ferry is free and the view of the Statue of Liberty and the sunset is priceless.

Visit the World Trade Center Site. Walk through Brookfield Place, cross the West Side Highway and you will see the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

Go shopping. Check out the upscale shops inside Brookfield Place.

Getting to Rockefeller Park:

By train: The 1, 2 or 3 to Chambers Street. Walk west until you reach the Esplanade. Turn left and walk south until you reach Rockefeller Park.

TIP: The walk west from the train will take you past a few cafes and restaurants where you can stop for breakfast or lunch or get take out food for a picnic later in the day. 

By car: West Side Highway to Chambers Street. Turn right on Chambers, then turn left on River Terrace. Go about 4 blocks until you reach Murray Street. (You will see a big white ferry tent when you look out at the river.) There is a ramp on the corner of Murray Street that leads directly to the playground. Look for street parking, or park in one of the local garages.

TIP: The parking regulations are very strictly enforced in Battery Park City so make sure you read all street signs and are parked the full regulation distance away from any fire hydrants.

By bike: If you are biking south on the Hudson River Park bike path, turn right onto the esplanade when the Hudson River Park path reaches Stuyvesant High School.

Text and photos by Irene Daria