HIGH FIVES
FIVE BEST FREE VIEWS
ONE
Esplanade
WHAT? BATTERY PARK CITY ESPLANADE- North Cove to Pier A. Subway E to World Trade Center, R to Cortlandt St. Then walk west along Vesey St. toward the Hudson River.
WHY? To see North Cove marina with its sailboats; to admire the lawns, thickets, sculptures and follies along a path next to the mighty Hudson. Stroll south towards Lady Liberty and the grand sweep of the harbor.
WHEN? Late afternoon for some of the most stunning sunsets you've seen.
WHY? To see North Cove marina with its sailboats; to admire the lawns, thickets, sculptures and follies along a path next to the mighty Hudson. Stroll south towards Lady Liberty and the grand sweep of the harbor.
WHEN? Late afternoon for some of the most stunning sunsets you've seen.
TWO
From Gapstow Bridge
WHAT? GAPSTOW BRIDGE, CENTRAL PARK - North end of The Pond (Tel.:212-360-2726 for walking tour info.) Subway N/R/Q to 5th Ave. Enter Central Park at 5th Ave. and 60th St. and walk north along the edge of The Pond.
WHY? It's the contrast: you're standing in a pastoral landscape and yet just beyond the trees the skyline soars.
WHEN? In summer, just after a visit to the Frick Collection. Or in winter, before skating at Wollman Rink just north of The Pond.
THREE
Harbor view
WHAT? MANHATTAN BRIDGE - St. James Pl. off Canal St. Subway 6, J/Z, N/Q to Canal St. Head east along Canal St.
WHY? The little known Manhattan Bridge walkway runs alongside the bridge's outer edge looking south, under the clattering subway line and just above the Chinatown rooftops. Great views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the harbor beyond. Spooky, majestic, and evocative of real, gritty New York.
WHEN? When the Brooklyn Bridge's central walkway is just too comfortable (or crowded).
FOUR
To and fro
WHAT? STATEN ISLAND FERRY - Ferry Terminal, Battery Park. Subway 1 to South Ferry, R to Whitehall St., 4/5 to Bowling Green.
WHY? Possibly the best sightseeing bargain in the world: it passes close to the Statue of Liberty and offers dramatic downtown skyline views.
WHEN? When it's not too cold to stand outside.
FIVE
Broadway razzle-dazzle
WHAT? THE GREAT WHITE WAY - Broadway from 59th St. to 42nd St. Subway A/C, B/D, 1 to 59th St. Columbus Circle.
WHY? A law mandates 1,000 square feet of neon for every 50 feet of building frontage along Broadway, making the stretched out double triangle of Times Square the flashiest place in the city.
WHEN? At dusk, when the neon really pops out, and the rush hour crowds mingle with the pre-theater diners.
FIVE UNDERUSED HOTEL BARS WITH GREAT VIEWS
Times Square The outside terrace at Nicole at the Novotel
Looking south towards "the crossroads of the world" and yet, undiscovered by most.
| World Trade Center Indoors/outdoors at the W Downtown
The terrace looks north directly onto the World Trade Center site. Quiet during the day, it gets a buzz on in early evening.
| More Times Square Looking north from the Marriott Marquis
Way back from check in on the 8th floor, there are dozens of empty spots with great views.
| 42nd Street
The outdoor terrace at the Yotel is an oasis of calm.
| Canal Street
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