Bryant Park

Bryant Park is not your ordinary park. There's endless amount of activities to engage yourself with--take a yoga class, learn fencing, or watch a movie underneath the stars. 

If you have to work, you can also do that with the free wi-fi all around the park. 

Who doesn’t enjoy watching a classic movie under the trees?  Come to the park on Monday nights for movie nights. Watch movies like The French Connection, My Man Godfrey, 12 Angry Men, Bonnie and Clyde and  Monty Python and the Holy Grail. 

Experience readings with authors like Samantha Bee, the most Senior Correspondent of The Daily Show with Jon Steward. 

Get an up-close visit with exotic birds from the Arcadia Bird Sanctuary and Education Center. Terri Jones, and her granddaughter Caitlyn, Leslie Wallace, and their sociable birds can be found near Le Carousel every Tuesday.

Spend your lunch hour listening to Terry Waldo, a protégé, of the famous Eubie Blake, who has produced over 40 albums and wrote the definitive jazz book, This is Ragtime. 

Become a kid again and ride the carousel for only $2--it's open 11am-7pm, weather permitting. Kids ride free and adults assisting kids who couldn't ride alone are free. If you get addicted buy a discounted card and enjoy 10 rides for only $15.

Wednesdays are game night. Play games like Jenga, Taboo, and Risk, all free of charge. 

Have lunch -- there are lots of kiosks that serve quick quality food on the run. The south kiosk offers homemade soups and salads, including roasted turkey, grapefruit, avocado, radish & organic baby greens with black olive vinaigrette and olive oil-poached shrimp with cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, & organic arugula with creamy herb dressing.

For more formal dining, try Bryant Park Grill, which serves American Style cuisine. Reservations are suggested for the dining room, or try the Bryant Park Café, a well known hot spot run by the Bryant Park Grill--- the Café features a more informal new American-style menu and bar  is open from Mid-April to November depending on the weather.  

Please note there are no dogs allowed on the grass and don't think about enjoying a wine or a beer, both which are prohibited outside the cafe and the Grill. Other than that, there aren't too many rules. Just lay out and enjoy. 

HelloMetro Tip: Get there at 5pm for movie screenings and use the bathroom before as the lines are long.

 

- by Danielle Sonnenberg, New York Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Danielle Sonnenberg

Danielle Sonnenberg is a freelance writer living in New York City. She is passionate about stories and asking questions. She has written for several publications including the New York Post, TheStreet.com, Lifestyles Magazine, and Minyanville.com To view more of her work please go to, Her website is www.daniellesonnenberg.com