New York City Parks and Recreation Department, in anticipation of the reopening of the High Bridge later this summer, has finally directed their attention to matters other than the public project including the redevelopment of the High Bridge and improvements in Highbridge Park and put out a web page with information on Things to Do Near the High Bridge.
There are a surprising number of places to go.
In addition to the places listed there are a whole host of other locations that might be of interest to the High Bridge visitor. There are also a lot of good restaurants and other attractions that should be visited. Please feel free to use the comment space below to tell us about your favorite places.
My favorite place is Carrot Top Pastries, 3931 Broadway between 164th and 165th Streets. My favorite is the carrot cake. They have sandwiches there too. You may have to wait on line for a little while to get your food.
ReplyDeleteCoogans on Broadway.
ReplyDeleteI like the Heights Tavern -- Broadway at 164th.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that Dallas BBQ two blocks north of the Heights Tavern at 166th on Broadway is better.
DeleteI don't think there are enough decent restaurants up in that area, especially over by the park. Just look at the comments already. They are all over by Broadway. How about some new restaurants by the park.
ReplyDeleteCompany Catered Events is small and not what you would call a sit down type place, but it is down by the park. It is't up by the rec center, but still, it is over by the park. Good food too!
ReplyDeleteLook at the Conquistador restaurant at 172nd and Amsterdam. They closed, but they catered to the Dominican customer and not the new visitor expected to come to explore and enjoy the High Bridge. The space is available. Why aren't restaurants moving in yet. Are they stupid? The crowds will be there this year.
ReplyDeleteLa Nueva Espana is in that area, but is is on St. Nicholas Ave at 173rd St. Not on Amsterdam, but only two blocks away. Yes, they cater to the Dominican trade, but the food is decent.
ReplyDeleteIf you think that there aren't enough places near the High Bridge in Washington Heights, how about on the Bronx side. That is absolutely empty. When are they going to develop that?
ReplyDeleteWhat are we going to do about renting bicycles over there? The closest bike shop is on Broadway and he isn't set up to do a lot of rentals.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very interesting that the only thing "near" the High Bridge that is listed on the Parks & Rec website other than the stuff in the park itself is the Morris Jumel Mansion. Let's get real. Other than this one thing there really isn't anything near the High Bridge. As a destination this is going to have to develop quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteThey are redoing the farmers market area over by 175th and Broadway. I think they call it the Plaza de las Americas or something like that, but I just can't imagine wanting to go there if I was coming up to see the High Bridge.
ReplyDeleteYou know that the High Line's major attraction is the garden, but, beyond that, look at the development in that immediate area. Shouldn't that be the objective in the High Bridge area. It would be great for the neighborhood, unless you don't want gentrification. Yes, rental prices are going to go up, but you don't get something for nothing.
ReplyDeleteI, personally, would rather live in a neighborhood with some real attractions and things to do.
I'll tell you one thing that is not near the High Bridge -- a public bathroom. If you happen to be in the area the only public bathroom is in the rec center and if that's not open, good luck. For a park of this size it is a must to have more bathrooms available.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that they are anticipating more than 100,000 visitors to the Highbridge Park each week after the bridge opens. What are all these people going to do? Walk across the bridge, come back and leave. There isn't anything else there yet.
ReplyDeleteWhen the High Line was opened there was a lot of publicity and the press was all over it. I haven't seen anything like that in the press this time. I guess it just isn't a posh enough place for them.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to me that when the High Bridge first opened it was actually a tourist attraction in and of itself. I learned last night at Sid Horenstein's lecture on the History of the High Bridge that 5-10 thousand or more people would come just to visit the bridge every Saturday. The entire neighborhood needs this as an attraction that will help redevelop the Amsterdam commercial corridor and the neighborhood as a whole. I think the Olympic size pool and High Bridge Park are also amazing assets.. Let's not forget to discuss that this 5 minutes from one of if not the most popular attraction in all of NYC. Anyone have a guess?
ReplyDeleteThis brings up a very interesting idea. Residents from Washington Heights can now travel by foot to baseball games at Yankee Stadium. Far more convenient than crossing one of the other bridges.
DeleteA new tradition can be started. Back 100 years ago the Brush stairs were opened to allow residents on Edgecombe Ave in Washington Heights to more easily get to the Polo Grounds where the Giants used to play. History is repeating itself.