Day 219 - June 1, 2013: Central Park and Liberty House Restaurant

Anne woke up and said, "Let's ride bikes today in Central Park!" The challenge was how to get them there, as there is no direct boat service to that area from our marina. After breakfast I washed the boat and Anne did some trip planning, and then we took the bikes on the Liberty Landing Ferry over to the World Financial Center. To get to Central Park, our plan was to ride down to Battery Park and purchase all day on/off tickets on the NY Water Taxi for a narrated sightseeing cruise. This cruise covers a circle from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Statue of Liberty and on up to Pier 84, which is only about 15 blocks south of Central Park.

Battery Park was packed with tourists waiting to take various cruises to the Statue of Liberty, and there were many vendors taking advantage of the expected 90 degree heat for the second consecutive day. After securing the bikes on the water taxi, we went up the East River, made two stops and circled back north up the Hudson to Pier 84.

Our folding bikes aboard the water taxi

Battery Park teeming with visitors

East end of the Brooklyn Bridge

How many police departments have fast armed boats?

Riding 15 blocks through New York City streets is a bit intimidating, but we made it safely into Central Park. This park first opened in 1857 and now has 840 acres of trees, grass, lakes, and walking and biking trails. NYC would be a far different place without it. It is the most visited public park in America, and today we mingled with thousands of other visitors escaping the heat of the city.

Hundreds of bikers and runners

Thousands sunning in grassy open fields

Skyline view over the reservoir

Anne taking a break in the shade

Downhill is a time to coast

Bow Bridge on The Lake

We took the remainder of the water taxi cruise and the ferry over to Liberty Landing and rested in the air conditioning of Great Laker. For dinner we walked to The Liberty House Restaurant and were delighted to discover an incredible view of Manhattan Island over several acres of open grass. A glass of wine, some sushi, a live band playing old standards, and the cool night air made for a amazing evening.

Liberty House Restaurant as the sun set