My Latest Down to Earth Adventures in NYC part 1!

As we all know, I like to go and spend a weekend in the city once in a while.  NYC is that spot that always has something new and interesting to do.  Every time I go, I feel like an explorer, finding a new form of transportation, a new neighborhood, a new event, or a new place that has been recently placed in the city.  This time was no different, because I found all of those things and had a great couple of days.

Let's start with the New York City Ferry Service.  We wanted to go to Williamsburg for some unique experiences, so the best way to get from our home base in South Manhattan to Williamsburg was to catch the ferry from Pier 11 and take it to North Williamsburg where our desired activities were located.  A ferry ride costs the same as a subway trip, so it's really inexpensive.  You can stay inside the boat or go to the roof outside, depending on the weather. 

It was my first time on this ferry, not to be confused with the NYC Water Taxis which I've taken and enjoyed, but this is a different company, therefore different pricing. 

We went to NYC on a unique day, so we had some unique experiences, starting with the ferry.  The New York City Marathon was in full swing when we arrived at the docks.  Because of the security necessary during the race, we ended up waiting a long time for the ferry.  As the largest group of runners were crossing the East River at that time, the police stopped all boats in the East River until they crossed.  So, if you go during an event such as the marathon, you may find yourself detained.  If that is the case, do what we did, and give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going.  We had no timely plans that day, because we were aware of the race, and it was just fine with us to wait until the police had deemed that the river was safe.

The ferry makes three stops on this trip.  The first is under the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO at the amazing Riverside Grille restaurant.  The second is under the Williamsburg Bridge in South Williamsburg close to Domino Park.  The third stop was ours at Kent Street.  I would put the address up there, because it is the name of the development, but I was censored on another site, because they thought I was referring to a date that has a notorious innuendo. 

Williamsburg has been many things over the years.  Once an industrial center and home of the Domino Sugar Company, most of that has gone by the wayside.  The neighborhood from south to north is home to many groups, including Hassidic Jews, Puerto Rican folks, artists, and gentrifiers.  The gentrifiers are turning North Williamsburg into the place to be, and the prices to live there have skyrocketed.  They are a group of people who live life their own way and are doing it well.

Our first stop was Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea.  These two markets operate in the parks all summer long, and have become so popular that they found a great indoor space for the winter at 25 Kent Street.  There's great gourmet food and drink, and the flea market is full of unique items both old and newly artistic.  The space also comes with random piano music in the eating area and 8th floor high 360 views of the city.  Beat that.  Admission is free.  All you pay for is what you buy.  They are there every weekend Saturday and Sunday 10 - 6.  I found this wonderful project by watching Samantha Brown's "Places to Love" on PBS.  Samantha Brown lives in Brooklyn, so when she says you need to go; I go.

Williamsburg is famous for its street art.  We weren't even in the world famous Bushwick Avenue art scene, and we saw all kinds of great stuff.  Even the ads are art here, and we even met some of the muralists at work.  Everything we did in North Williamsburg was within walking distance of the ferry, and we were never bored.

The architecture in Williamsburg is well worth a look too.  The William Vale is an upscale hotel with a public second story park that comes complete with a food stand.  It's directly across the street from the building that currently houses Smorgasburg and it's an amazing structure.  Boutique hotels are all over the area and they are each very unique.  Just watch out for the prices.  We loved the idea, but I'll stay at my hotel in Manhattan and take the ferry.

As we looked at the art and met the muralists, we made our way around the corner from Brooklyn Flea and to the Brooklyn Brewery.  This is a great place that helped kickstart the micro brewery trend in the country that we all love.  This brewery was founded in 1989, and is now known around the world.  They have a great list of micro brews on tap in the tap room, and they give free tours of the brewery during tour hours every half hour.  It's an informative and entertaining tour and I learned a lot about how beer is made.  I then tried some great beer before we headed on our way.

Oh the architecture, the parks and the views.  We walked around and absorbed more of the art and architecture, and then stopped by a couple of great parks.  Williamsburg is home to a New York State Park.  The East River State Park is a great riverside park with some amazing views of the Manhattan Skyline.  Right next to it sits the local Bushwick Inlet Park with ball fields, picnic tables and equally amazing views along the river.  Well worth the stop and once again; free.

After a great afternoon of beer, food, architecture, art, shopping, parks and amazing views, we caught the ferry back to Manhattan.  The November afternoon was already ending in sunset and we had a great view of the Statue of Liberty and the harbor on our way back to Pier 11.  I will take the great discoveries from that point next time.  Enjoy!

http://brooklynflea.com/
https://www.smorgasburg.com/
https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/the-williamsburg-hotel?utm_content=non-brand&msclkid=163a14b341b0126fa55e496196d67302
https://loving-newyork.com/things-to-do-williamsburg/
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/155/details.aspx
https://bushwickinletpark.org/
https://www.dominopark.com/
https://www.thewilliamvale.com/
https://brooklynbrewery.com/verify
https://www.newyorkertips.com/bushwick-street-art/
https://friedavizel.com/
https://www.ferry.nyc/
http://web.mta.info/maps/submap.html
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https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts