Is everybody OK?! Hopefully, Hurricane Irene simply kept you cooped up all weekend watching a bizzaro version of real-life Double Dare and browsing Google Art Project. Today it seems Irene left a bit of a peace offering in this gloriously perfect weather. So get out and celebrate the fact that low-lying Battery Park City didn’t get washed away with a public-art-spotting walk along the Esplanade! First, climb the serene grassy knoll that is the Irish Hunger Memorial on Vesey & North End Ave. Brian Tolle designed this thoughtful memorial with stones from all of Ireland’s 32 counties and native Irish wild flowers. When you reach the top of the winding path, you’ll see lovely Lady Liberty in the distance. Take a moment to remember all those affected by hunger around the world, and those who did feel Irene’s wrath, and maybe donate your (thankfully) unused hurricane survival supplies to the Food Bank.
Walking along the Esplanade is like a treasure hunt, though you don’t have to look very hard for the loot. From Ned Smyth’s The Upper Room to Siah Armajani’s railings along the waterfront, there are gems to be found all along this 1.5-mile stretch. I especially love Martin Puryear’s Pylons, massive columns standing tall between the ferry dock and the North Cove Harbor. Which is your favorite?
Winter Garden Atrium inside the World Financial Center is another highlight. If you happen to be in the neighborhood on a Thursday, grab lunch at the WFC Greenmarket. Any day of the week there is the legendary burger and onion strings at PJ Clarke’s or the grass-fed, Angus beef burger at Quality Burger (not to mention the char-grilled steak banh mi at Fatty Snacks!). Then (if it’s Wednesday- Sunday), make your way down to the Skyscraper Museum for SUPERTALL!. It’s a thrilling look at the 35 superstar buildings around the world that are 100+ stories and literally towering above the competition. There’s a special look at the World Trade Center towers and the past decade of their rebuilding. Leaving the museum and seeing Tower 1 rising just a few blocks north really puts the incredible triumph of these colossal structures into perspective. Super cool.
Assuming you went for the burger at PJ’s over the Migliorelli Farm veggies, heed the signs and “Burn Calories, Not Electricity. Take the Stairs!”
Ingredients:
Venues: Battery Park City; World Financial Center; Skyscraper Museum
Artists: Brian Tolle; Martin Puryear, Etc.
Streets: Vesey St to Battery Place
Eats: Greenmarket; PJ Clarke’s; Quality Burger; Fatty Snacks
Map:
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