FIDI
Find gorgeous views, public art, and lots of history in oldest part of Manhattan.
Also see our guide to nearby Seaport.
EVENTS
Pulse Portal
Jan 10, 12:00 amBrookfield Place
Explore Davis McCarty’s iridescent installation, Pulse Portal, on the Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place. Walk around the gemstones or through the dichromatic archway and view the rainbow palette of colored shadows that move throughout the day powered by sunlight.
Pulse Portal is built from NASA developed materials where colors transform as the angle of the viewer transits through space. The vibrant colors represent the diversity of humankind and celebrate the individual spark living inside in each of us.
Twilight Winter Bird Stroll
Feb 4, 3:00 pmGovernors Island
Meet the winter birds of Governors Island with NYC Audubon. Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on the island, which provides excellent habitat all year round. Discover all of the bird life the island has to offer this winter.
The group will meet at 3pm at Soissons Landing. Free with registration; 15 person limit.
Also ice skate in Winter Village.
Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music
Feb 5, 2:00 pmThe Seaport
Join South Street Seaport Museum in person or virtually for a round-robin of shared sea songs, featuring members of The New York Packet and friends. Listen in, lead or request a song, and belt out the choruses.
See our guide to the Seaport.
Governors Island Ice Sculpture Show
Feb 18, 12:00 pmGovernors Island
Join an exciting afternoon of live ice carving from skilled ice artists. Enjoy everything the Winter Village has to offer and help choose the winner at the end of the event.
Food available for purchase includes Little Eva’s seasonal menu, with warm drinks and new takes on classic comfort food like brats, vegan chili, fish and chips and more plus an eclectic array of weekend food trucks.
Skate on a 5,000-square foot outdoor ice rink (10 am – 5:30 pm).
Rent bikes or sleds from Blazing Saddles NYC (see recommended sledding hills), play lawn games like cornhole, can jam and giant Jenga and explore winter arts and cultural programming
Arrive via ferry from the from Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street ($4/ages 13+. for adults, free for seniors & kids and everyone on Saturdays and Sundays before noon).
TO DO
Staten Island Ferry
Take a free ferry ride from Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan to Staten Island and back for great views of The Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan & Brooklyn skylines. 25 minute trips (1 hour round trip) depart every half hour (every fifteen minutes during rush hour). Masks required.
For a quicker trip, take the…
Battery Playscape
Explore a new playground with five ecology zones—Bluff, Marsh, Dune, Meadow, and Riverbed– in resilient design, post-Superstorm Sandy when the park survived the full force of the 15-foot storm surge and became a focal point of sea level rise. Lyrical patterns of water illuminate the portal, fence, and custom seating. Daylight filters through the punctuated…
Seaglass Carousel
Spin under the sea in an aquatic carousel in historic Battery Park. Sit within iridescent fiberglass fish that glide through a (covered) spiraling nautilus of glass and steel. LED color-changing lighting combined with “water effect” light projectors and oceanic music create a magical underwater atmosphere for kids of all ages.
Purchase tickets at the carousel…
The Statue of Liberty
Take a ferry to Liberty Island, home of the iconic statue. After a lovely 15-minute boat ride with amazing views and no crowds. Walk among paved, stroller-friendly paths and relax in shady grassy areas. Reserve tickets in advance to guarantee access to the Statue of Liberty Pedestal (crown tours not currently available)
At the Statue…
One World Observatory
Elevators climb 102 stories in 47 seconds to the top of the Freedom Tower, the tallest building in America at a symbolic 1,776 feet. Incredible views plus lots of interactive and digital features including immersive audiovisual experiences, a 14-foot wide circular glass disc with high definition footage of the streets 100 floors below and friendly…
Governors Island Ice Sculpture Show
Join an exciting afternoon of live ice carving from skilled ice artists. Enjoy everything the Winter Village has to offer and help choose the winner at the end of the event.
Food available for purchase includes Little Eva’s seasonal menu, with warm drinks and new takes on classic comfort food like brats, vegan chili,…
ART/HISTORY
imagiNATIONS Activity Center
Solve puzzles, perform experiments, play state-of-the-art computer simulations and find out how corn is like a dog in this interactive, family-friendly space. Explore scientific principles behind Native innovations and technologies that are so ingenious, many remain a part of our daily lives.
XO World & XO Play
XO WORLD (outside One World Trade Center) features a giant globe and 12 foot “Jack” from the game of Jacks (the “X” with crossed arms attached to the spoke to represent love).
Created by Daniel Anderson, an internationally recognized artist inspired by children’s natural acceptance of others regardless of race, gender, age, or religious…
Dubuffet Sculpture
An office tower plaza features a dynamic Jean Dubuffet sculpture and a peaceful Noguchi rock garden fountain.
National Museum of the American Indian–New York
All ages can learn about the culture and contributions of Native Americans at the engaging New York branch of this DC museum.
HIGHLIGHTS:
🌽 Interactive, family-friendly imagiNATIONS Activity Center
🪶 Comprehensive Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the National Museum of the American Indian
CURRENT EXHIBITS:
👽 Site-specific comic-inspired…
The Skyscraper Museum
Celebrate NYC’s rich vertical architectural heritage in a small but very cool stainless-steel space.
HIGHLIGHTS:
🌇 A 36-foot long history of height from the pyramids to the present
🌇 Detailed mini-Manhattan models
🌇 Scale models of the world’s tallest building
CURRENT EXHIBITS:
🌇 Residential Rising: Lower Manhattan, 2000-2022
⭐️ Join…
Wyatt Kahn: Life in the Abstract
Seven monumental sculptures fabricated in Cor-Ten steel by New York artist Wyatt Kahn juxtaposes components abstract forms with “readymade” items like eyeglasses, clock, comb, hand, foot and other elements from domestic life. The artist translated seventeen line drawings into large welded steel blocks and arranged them in ways that suggest imaginative narrative compositions. Good for…
Gustav Klimt: Gold in Motion
Take a multi-sensory journey through the golden, sensuous and revolutionary art of the Viennese painter Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. Be immersed in his iconic works, projected on marble walls, towering columns, stained glass skylights and coved ceilings of a historic former bank using unique, cutting-edge mapping technology, synchronized to an original soundtrack.
The first exhibit…
Wizard Tea & Potion Making
A two-floor, wizard-themed bar and restaurant with indoor dining and outdoor terrace seating on the cobblestones of historic Stone Street hosts interactive experiences perfect for Harry Potter fans. Don a provided robe and use a hi-tech magic wand to cast a pouring spell to receive a welcome drink from the maw of a magical creature.
…
Monet’s Garden
Take an immersive 360-degree journey through the history and works of one of the greatest artists of the past century. Through state-of-the-art multimedia technology, enter the world famous artworks of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet.
Elaborate installations and projections, combined with music, create rushing worlds of color and make the paintings come alive. Explore Monet’s…
Pulse Portal
Explore Davis McCarty’s iridescent installation, Pulse Portal, on the Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place. Walk around the gemstones or through the dichromatic archway and view the rainbow palette of colored shadows that move throughout the day powered by sunlight.
Pulse Portal is built from NASA developed materials where colors transform as the angle of the…
TO EAT
Kids Kitchen: i Cannoli
Bambini (ages 6-12) learn about the history and process of making one of the most popular and loved Italian desserts: il cannolo, fried pastry shell filled with sweetened Ricotta cream!. Each child will receive his or her own cannolo shell, and pick from toppings of their choice to add to the ricotta cream filling in…
Strasbourg-Alsace Christmas Market & Père Noël
The centuries old Strasbourg-Alsace Christmas Market pops-up in Bowling Green. Thirty authentic wooden chalets sell handcrafted gifts and Christmas ornaments from Alsace, France: genuine artisanal pottery, fine table linens, fragrant gingerbread, jams and chocolates plus gastronomic specialties to discover such as choucroute and tarte flambée, hot mulled glühwein, Alsatian craft beers and high-quality Hugel Family wines…
Brookfield Place Saturday Morning Show: Vered and Sammie and Tudie
At 10 am, enjoy Vered’s funny and poignant songs with upbeat melodies, and playful harmonies are reminiscent of a doo-wop band.. At 11 am, join Sammie and Tudie for a magic and zany, side-splitting comedy for the whole
family to enjoy.
Part of a weekly series in Hudson Eats (with lots of yummy options) in…
Brookfield Place Saturday Morning Show: Ants on a Log and Paper Heart Puppets
At 10 am, enjoy a joyful and unpredictable journey with Ants on a Log. At 11 am, join Paper Heart Puppets to experience the art of puppetry.
Part of a weekly series in Hudson Eats (with lots of yummy options) in Brookfield Place.
Brookfield Place Saturday Morning Show: Marian Iranzi and The Great Charlini
At 10 am, enjoy a concert from bassist, Mariana Iranzi who draws on her Argentinian and Tango music roots. At 11 am, join the Great Charlini as he brings his world touring magic show to NYC.
Part of a weekly series in Hudson Eats (with lots of yummy options) in Brookfield Place.
Brookfield Place Saturday Morning Show: Vanessa Trien & Silly Billy
At 10 am, enjoy a highly interactive and energetic shows, featuring plenty of group singing and movement with Vanessa Trien At 11 am, join Silly Billy as he performs magic and comedy.
Part of a weekly series in Hudson Eats (with lots of yummy options) in Brookfield Place.
Eataly NYC Downtown
The 40,000 square feet outpost of Italian marketplace Eataly is focused on bread, but you can also find delizioso pizza, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, pasta, rotisserie chicken, chocolate, gelato and (post-pandemic) weekend kids cooking classes.
Choose from five restaurants, nine take-away counters (including gelato), two caffès, and one wine bar. Shop more than 10,000 high-quality…
Sand Celebration at The Bungalow
Admire the tallest sand castle in New York City created by world-renowned, professional sand sculptor Matt Long (though August 14). Pick up paper and crayons at the BFPL concierge to draw the sandcastle.
Through September 26, enjoy light bites, specialty cocktails, and bocce ball from a waterfront retreat outside Brookfield Place. Lounge chairs and vintage…
La Pizza & La Pasta a Colori
Experience the world of food and color at Eataly’s immersive restaurant space designed in collaboration with the Color Factory. Under a kaleidoscopic canopy, explore a diverse array of tints and tastes, from the rich golden hue of farm-fresh eggs to the emerald green of fresh DOP basil and beyond. Ceiling installation “Somewhere Out There”…
Greek From Greece Bakery &Cafe
Feast on authentic Greek pastries both sweet (backlava, kataifi, walnut cake) and savory (spinach pies & a variety of cheese pies) plus soups, salads, sandwiches, house-made Greek yogurt and more at this friendly bakery/cafe.
Le District
Mangez on freshly made croissants, crepes, frites and more delicious treats in a French shopping district within happening Brookfield Place. Take your treat to the terrace for a view of the French-in-origin Lady Liberty.
Adrienne’s Pizza Bar
Eat thin-crust square pies (plus classic round pies, salads, pastas and more) on indoor and outdoor seating overlooking historic, cobbled Stone Street at this casual yet classy pizzeria.
Hot Shots
Show off your skills in the Winter Garden with the interactive Pop-A-Shot for a chance to win a Brookfield Place gift card. Watch men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments games on the Hudson Eats large screens as you dine and enjoy happy hour specials at the eateries.
See our guide to Brookfield Place.
Hudson Eats
Choose from over a dozen fast-casual chef-driven eateries including Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar, Umami Burger and Dos Toros Taqueria at this upscale foodcourt on the second floor of Brookfield Place (upstairs from French market Le District).
Counter service; eat at fancy-feeling seating throughout the 30,000-square-foot space featuring soaring ceilings and window walls with…
Fraunces Tavern
Get a pot pie (one of George Washington’s favorite meals) and other traditional and modern American dishes at New York’s oldest and most historic bar and restaurant. Established in 1763, this favorite drinking spot of Alexander Hamilton and the site of Washington’s famous farewell address to soldiers after the Revolutionary War now is part restaurant,…
SWAY’S BLOOM!
See 20-minute family-friendly, colorful, spirited performances exploring themes of earth and nature, community, transformation, individuality, and diversity, performed atop SWAY’s signature 14 foot sway poles on the Waterfront Plaza. Accompanied by an original soundtrack by Ania Reynolds, BLOOM! celebrates the ephemeral and simultaneously beautiful nature of life.
Pick from 3 performances a day at 12:30,…
SWAY’S BLOOM! & Fantastical Flower Craft
See 20-minute family-friendly, colorful, spirited performances exploring themes of earth and nature, community, transformation, individuality, and diversity, performed atop SWAY’s signature 14 foot sway poles on the Waterfront Plaza. Accompanied by an original soundtrack by Ania Reynolds, BLOOM! celebrates the ephemeral and simultaneously beautiful nature of life. Pick from 3 performances at 12:30, 3:30 &…
Portside
Admire the harbor at an al fresco lounge on Brookfield Place’s Waterfront Plaza inspired by coastal charm and nautical traditions. Light bites and bevs including avocado, burrata and nutella tartines are available for grab-and-go at The Shack by Tartinery (11 am – 9 pm), or get food inside at the Le District or…
Wizard Tea & Potion Making
A two-floor, wizard-themed bar and restaurant with indoor dining and outdoor terrace seating on the cobblestones of historic Stone Street—the oldest paved road in Manhattan hosts interactive experiences perfect for Harry Potter fans.
In immersive Potion Making classes, don a provided cloak, wield a working magic wand & use molecular mixology to brew drinkable elixirs.…
Wizard Tea & Potion Making
A two-floor, wizard-themed bar and restaurant with indoor dining and outdoor terrace seating on the cobblestones of historic Stone Street hosts interactive experiences perfect for Harry Potter fans. Don a provided robe and use a hi-tech magic wand to cast a pouring spell to receive a welcome drink from the maw of a magical creature.
…