There's a little restaurant in my neighborhood that I like a lot,
yet, I rarely think of going there.
yet, I rarely think of going there.
There's an historic home nearby that I finally went to
after living here 16 years.
There's an arboretum just a few miles away that I keep meaning to get to.
Sometimes the best places are right under our noses,
but for whatever the reason,
we don't seem to get there often enough.......or ever.
Bryant Park was such a place for the many years
that I worked right across the street from it.
that I worked right across the street from it.
I'd admire it daily, as I was lucky enough to have a perfect view
from my office windows twelve floors above it.
from my office windows twelve floors above it.
Most times, however, I'd just rush through,
or pass by on my way to somewhere else.
or pass by on my way to somewhere else.
Rarely did I take a lunch break and sit in the park.
I was just too darn busy.
Unless it was a business lunch at Bryant Park Grill........
or to meet in the park at our specified location after a fire drill.......
I never went there just to CHILL......
Until.......
I no longer worked across the street.
No big dill 😁.
I'm making up for that now.
I'm making up for that now.
As my rendezvous with the park are now more leisurely,
I'm appreciating it for more than just a shortcut to Lord & Taylor's,
or a place to meet up with a friend.
I'm appreciating it for more than just a shortcut to Lord & Taylor's,
or a place to meet up with a friend.
If Bryant Park isn't on your tourist radar screen, it should be,
no matter what time of year you visit.
It's a relatively small patch of greenery that provides an oasis to locals and tourists alike,
and offers an impressive number of interesting events all year round.
You may happen upon a dance party, a bingo game,
a birding tour, a poetry reading, a fencing class,
or, bumper cars on the ice skating rink.
Be sure to check the park's website, as different events are held each day,
and some require advance registration.
The park offers an extensive array of activities just for kids.
Bryant Park is located between W. 40th and W. 42nd Streets,
and 5th and 6th Avenues (behind the NY Public Library).
Learn to knit, draw or speak a different language.
Take a yoga class, learn about beekeeping, or attend a wellness symposium.
Perhaps you'll try your hand at juggling!
Grab a board game, sit down for some chess or checkers,
play ping pong, or work on your putting skills.
You might also catch a mah-jonng marathon,
or a massive game of musical chairs.
Bring your blanket and watch a hit movie under the stars.
This past summer, films were shown every Monday night
from June through August.
from June through August.
Food vendors and wine and beer areas are available
to make this a perfect evening out.
to make this a perfect evening out.
The fountain sitting on the east side of the park has been there since 1913.
(Take a park tour and learn more about it).
(Take a park tour and learn more about it).
In summer, let the spray cool you off,
and be sure to toss in a coin to make your wish for a return trip to New York City.
In winter, frigid temperatures turn the fountain into a frozen work of icicle art.
During lunch time, pull up a chair on the west end of the park
to enjoy a piano concert.
At other times, you may catch an opera singer,
At other times, you may catch an opera singer,
a Shakespearean performance, or some of Broadway's biggest stars
belting out iconic show tunes.
belting out iconic show tunes.
Did you hear me say FREE?
Need a little peace and quiet?
Head over to the reading room, where you can leaf through a newspaper,
borrow a book or magazine,
Head over to the reading room, where you can leaf through a newspaper,
borrow a book or magazine,
meet a best-selling author, or attend a writing workshop.
There's even a book section for kids.
Register for the adult spelling bee,
or take part in the annual crossword tournament.
Register for the adult spelling bee,
or take part in the annual crossword tournament.
Have some old-fashioned fun on Le Carousel,
It goes round and round to the tune of French cabaret songs.
Ogle the lush plantings, ivy-covered facades
and eye-catching oversized container gardens.
and eye-catching oversized container gardens.
I've gotten some inspiration for my own flower pots
from those at Bryant Park.
Whatever your budget, you won't go hungry in Bryant Park.
For a quick bite, stop at one of the kiosks,
serving everything from coffee and donuts, to savory pastries,
serving everything from coffee and donuts, to savory pastries,
to waffles and milkshakes.
Head over to The Porch (you can't miss the brightly colored chairs
on the west side of the park)
on the west side of the park)
for a burger, salad, cocktail, or to simply recharge your electronics
with complimentary power outlets.
with complimentary power outlets.
For an upscale dining experience,
Bryant Park Grill on the eastern end of the park,
has indoor and seasonal outdoor seating.
In winter, head over to The Lodge (see below).
Bistro tables and chairs are scattered
throughout the park in all seasons.
throughout the park in all seasons.
Perhaps the greatest pleasure of all
is simply to pull up a seat and relax.
is simply to pull up a seat and relax.
Note: The lawn is occasionally closed off,
but there is always ample seating in other areas of the park.
AND IN WINTER.........
Oh, what fun it is to don your ice skates and go for a glide around the ice rink,
with the Empire State Building as your backdrop.
Admission is FREE (but you will have to pay to rent skates if you don't have your own).
There are many special events held at the rink,
including the annual Tree Lighting Skate-tacular.
An original Christmas tale is read, while characters come to life on the skating rink.
Capping off the festivities is the tree lighting and fireworks.
The annual holiday outdoor market is a must-do winter activity.
Artisans, both local and from around the world
sell their wares from late October until just after New Year's.
You are sure to find unique gifts for everyone on your list.
If shopping and skating makes you hungry,
or you want a cozy place to wait for your companions,
head into The Lodge, a pop-up structure
housing several eateries and a full cocktail bar.
On Thursday evenings in February,
you'll be treated to live music by a local band.
housing several eateries and a full cocktail bar.
On Thursday evenings in February,
you'll be treated to live music by a local band.
When it comes to green oases in Manhattan,
no matter what the season,
no matter what the season,
Bryant hits it out of the park!
