New York City is absolutely impossible to “do” in a weekend. However, with some research beforehand (like visiting my blog, you savvy internetter you) and knowing what kind of NYC experience you want, you can tailor your time for an amazing weekend in the city that never sleeps.
This is the first post of my New York City Sights weekend series. First stop: the summer meets skyline delight, Battery Park City. Battery is located on the west side of Lower Manhattan, right on the waterfront, with a direct view of the Statue of Liberty. Along the waterfront there are walkways, park benches, dining options including a beer garden, dockings for boat tours of NYC, and an events area with extensive grassy areas, perfect for picnics or a lazy day outdoors with a view. The Consulate of Sweden in New York, for example, hosted their 2014 Swedish Midsummer celebrations in Battery Park City, with the very traditional festivities and midsommarstång or maypole contrasting with the skyline behind it.
In addition to the Statue of Liberty and the beautiful new and old waterfront buildings, you can also find a direct line of sight to One World Trade. If you are so inclined, it is a short walk away from the waterfront. My final tip for Battery Park City is the NYC-sponsored free river cruise- seriously! The Staten Island Ferry is absolutely free, and if you ride on the north facing side (right on the way to Staten Island, left on the way back) you get to enjoy a scenic view of Lower Manhattan, One World Trade, the Statue of Liberty, and the entire Manhattan skyline. If you are not interested in visiting Staten Island, you can get off the ferry, make a loop to the ferry entry area, and get in line to take the same ferry back in a matter of minutes.
I was incredibly impressed by how modern, clean, and nice the ferry terminal was. The subway costs $2.50 per trip and is in a dismal condition while the ferry is free with new feeling and (let me emphasize) clean terminals on both ends. On my first visit, I was expecting something old and chaotic, and instead it has become one of my NYC must-sees.
Check out more photos below!
Photography: Emmie Derback, Nikon 3200, 135mm lens
Battery Park City Gallery:
anchored & adrift 
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