Get Out to the Water

Now is the time to get outside, soak up the sun and feel how fresh the air can be. Discover all the ways to enjoy Manhattan’s waterfront attractions and riverside fun this season and beyond.

Starting at 72nd Street, Riverside Park is a 4-mile oasis stretching along the Hudson River. Walk, bike or simply bring a book to enjoy on a bench overlooking the water. Coming in June, a new summer art exhibit called “RE:GROWTH” will celebrate the spirit and resilience of New York — inhabiting 13 sites with works by 20 different artists.

If the river is on your mind, it may be time to start paddling. Downtown Boathouse at Pier 26 offers free kayaking lessons designed for novices, which will set you out in gentle, protected waters. Manhattan Kayak also kicks off its season for first-time kayakers and paddleboarders on May 1 and has season passes all year long for more experienced paddlers. 

You can’t get closer to the water than dining on board a schooner. Grand Banks is a historic bar that serves sustainably sourced oysters from both coasts, along with nautically inspired summer cocktails (think plenty of citrus flavors). Climb aboard the Sherman Zwicker docked at Pier 25 in Tribeca and let the day slip away with ease. 

A lobster shack floating on the Hudson? Yes, please. Reopening April 22, North River Lobster Co. serves up classic lobster rolls and signature options like a truffle-infused roll and a 28-inch behemoth alongside buckets of beer and refreshing frozé. Set sail from Pier 81 located at West 41st Street and the Hudson River.

Cross the Brooklyn Bridge to unveil even more spectacular perspectives. DUMBO’s best local haunts include the Time Out Market rooftop and Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge, where craft cocktails pair perfectly with views of the sparkling Manhattan skyline over the waterfront.