I hope as you’re reading this the kids are still happily playing with their new toys from yesterday and you were able to finish your cup of coffee while it was still hot! And while you have a moment, I figured I’d share a fun holiday itinerary I came up with via the NYC Ferry in case you’re looking for some ideas for the rest of the break. Follow along for more….
NYC Ferry
We headed to Clason’s Point in Soundview to catch the ferry around 1pm. Thanks to the NYC Ferry app, I was able to purchase tickets and see exactly what time the ferry would be arriving. During the winter months, the ferry doesn’t run as frequently, so it’s important to know what time the ferry is arriving before heading to the terminal as it is outdoors and on the water. We boarded the ferry and grabbed a window seat while some families braved the cold and sat upstairs to also enjoy the view. Many got off at 34th Street- most likely finishing up their holiday shopping or sightseeing. Less than an hour later we arrived at the Wall Street/Pier 11 terminal and headed to our first destination.
Cost: $2.75 per person. Children under 44 inches are free when accompanied by an adult.
Stock Exchange Christmas Tree
After we docked, we headed straight up Wall Street to the Stock Exchange Christmas tree. The Rockefeller tree gets all the love, but the Stock Exchange tree is another one to also cross off the holiday bucket list. And since it’s way less crowded, it’s a lot easier to get some nice photos too!
Cost: Free
SeaGlass Carousel
After the tree, we headed towards Battery Park for a ride on the SeaGlass Carousel. Summer usually comes to mind when I think of this carousel, but it was just as magical on a cold winter’s day.
Cost: $5 per person
Imagination Playground
On our way to lunch, we stopped in at the Imagination Playground. Usually filled with foam blocks and water features during the warmer months, the kids still had fun running around in the sand and climbing to the top of the tower to get a birds eye view of their surroundings.
Cost: Free
www.nycgovparks.org/parks/imagination-playground
Tacos at Luchadores (in an igloo!)
Right across the street from the playground is a small Taco & Burrito spot called Luchadores. In the summer, folks enjoy food from this counter-serve joint outdoors under the string lights. But for the winter, they’ve got an awesome igloo for patrons to eat in- complete with heaters on each picnic table. Lunch in an igloo is definitely the perfect way to spend a winter themed outing! And the food was delicious.
Cost: $4.95 per chicken taco, $3.25 for chips and pico de gallo
www.facebook.com/Luchadores-NYC
Seaport District NYC
After our delicious lunch, we crossed the street to the Seaport and snapped some photos in front of the ships decorated with Christmas lights and even Christmas trees! I hadn’t been to the seaport since the renovations, so I was excited to see what they had to offer.
Timing was perfect as we headed to the restrooms at the Seaport- catching a glimpse of the sun setting over our beautiful city (and right behind the NYC Ferry Terminal!). We then headed up to the rooftop.
Ice Skating on the Rooftop at Pier 17 Winterland
We then headed up to the rooftop where there is the new ice skating rink- the only outdoor rooftop ice skating in NYC. It was truly magical with the skyline of Manhattan on one side and the Brooklyn Bridge on the other. The rentals are on the pricier side, but totally worth the experience.
As the sky darkened and the string lights brightened, we enjoyed the rest of this amazing evening atop NYC. When the kids were finally tired, we headed inside to the warming hut for some hot chocolate. Inside the hut are several seating options for family and friends to gather and have a cocktail or hot cocoa. From picnic tables, to cocktail tables, to Adirondack chairs and couches covered in cozy blankets facing the rink. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.
Cost:
OFF-PEAK (Mon-Thurs):
Rink Admission Only: $14
Rink Admission + Skate Rental: $22
PEAK (Fri-Sun & School Holidays):
Rink Admission Only: $17
Rink Admission + Skate Rental: $25
Hot Cocoa: $5
www.pier17ny.com/winterland/winterland-rink
After, we walked just a few minutes back towards the terminal to wait for our ferry back to the Bronx. As we sat down, my little one thanked me for such a fun day. Thanks to NYC Ferry, a typical trip downtown became a fun adventure and the perfect day for my girls and I.
For more information and travel ideas, visit www.ferry.nyc.
This is a sponsored post. As always, opinions shared are my own.
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