Information on our most receBig Adventure

The Spring NYC Big Adventure!

Below is the complete run down and details from our Spring Big Adventure which descended upon several outdoor locations on Saturday, April 30^th. You can recreate the day on your own by following the itinerary and create your own day of basking in the sun, enjoying the outdoors and in general, rejoicing in Spring. This Adventure had been in the planning since Jan 23^rd – which was one particularly cold, cruel day of winter when The Big Adventure was suffering through cabin fever and immensely tired of slush and gray. All of us have braved the most miserable winter in a while. Now…we celebrate spring!

The Spring Big Adventure Day at a Glance:

12:30 PM –The West 79th Street Boat Basin Café
2:00 PM - Inaugural Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition
2:45 PM – Grant’s Tomb – Riverside Drive and 122^nd
4:00 PM – The Heights Bar and Grill – Broadway and 112^th  
6:30 PM - The High Line Park – Entering at 10^th Avenue and 20^th  Street
8:00 PM - Standard Beer Garden- Little W. 12th and Washington Street
10:00 PM - Ear Inn Bar on Spring Street - Spring and Washington

We encourage you to pass the information along to anyone who might enjoy outdoor bars, rooftop locales, competitive chalk art, New York City Parks and musty old tombs (really). As per usual, feel free to  join for only part of the day or from beginning to end for an event we promise will be unique, affordable, social and distinctly NYC. 

The West 79^th Street Boat Basin Café – 12:30 PM –Walk as far west on 79^th Street as you can past Riverside Drive until you end up overlooking the Hudson River and Boat Basin. We’ll sit with a view of the House Boats and Riverside Park as we sip Electric Lemonade and fried perfection. The perfect place to soak in the sun and start the day.

Inaugural Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition - 2:00 PM –As we stroll through Riverside Park –one of the most beautiful and underrated parks in NYC– we’ll end up at an undisclosed location and enjoy some Sidewalk Chalk Art. It’s art guerilla style (because Sidewalk Chalk is verboten….breakin’ the law, breakin’ the law). We’ll have teams, art supplies, endless chalk and lovely sections of sidewalk to vandalize…er decorate. After everyone hones their skills and talent, one winner will be crowned the Picasso of the Park! The Salvador Dali of the Sidewalk! The Rembrandt of the Road! The Georgia O'k....you get our drift. And, yes, there will be a trophy. 

Grant’s Tomb – 2:45 PM – 122^nd and Riverside Drive - We’ll hop on the M5 Bus and journey up to what is officially known as The General Grant National Memorial. Nothing like spending a spring day at a tomb. Seriously though, this is a very cool museum that opened over 110 years ago. Despite rich history, architecture and grandeur, seemingly few New Yorkers have ever visited. We’ll rectify that with a private tour by the National Park Service guide all dedicated to that 18th President and Civil War General with the awesome first name: Ulysses S. Grant

The Heights Bar and Grill – 4:00  PM– Broadway and 112^th –The Heights (named after its neighborhood Morningside Heights) is a somewhat secret gem and the only rooftop bar in Manhattan north of 59^th street. We’ll swing by for a drink while lounging on the top floor roof-deck patio and judge who has the best sandals in the bar.

Traversing The High Line  -6:30 PM – Entering at 20^th Street and 10^th Avenue- Our plan here is simple – a stroll down the most unique urban park on the East Coast at Sunset. Starting at the northern most section and ending at around 12^th street, we’re going to walk every inch of the park and get it on like Ponce De Leon. Lots going on that day including a roving book cart and guides. The Big Adventure has put off visiting since it opened two years ago, but we are excited to explore.

The Standard Beer Garden– 8:00 PM -  Little West 12^th and Washington Street – Fresh off The High Line and back on firm ground, you’ll be transported to a magical faux German land. Outside and spacious, visitors leave their Meatpacking pretensions at the door in exchange for Ping-Pong, Brats and Steins.

Ear Inn – 10:00 PM – 326 Spring Street near Washington Street – Ending the evening with one of New York's oldest bars where the drinks are as tasty and affordable as the history of the place is remarkable Historic Home turned Brothel turned Bar. Great to get our relaxing on after a long day of trekking. Also known as the Green Door Bar or the James Brown House. God Bless drinking establishments with three names.

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 Join us as we transverse The Big Apple on The Next Big Adventure with a series of events that are extraordinary, social, inexpensive and unique to New York City. The Big Adventure is planning on taking advantage of the (finally) nice Spring weather.After all, it has been a particularly brutal winter for what feels like the last 17 months.The plan is to spend as much time in the sun and outdoors as we can while hitting up a number of distinct destinations. 

As per usual, all are welcome to join our semi-regular Adventure as we explore the best well-known and yet-to-be-discovered locations, events and scenes in NYC. The Big Adventure is planning several activities where we can bask in the warm glow of the sun. We'll find it in places that might just range from an infamous outdoor cafe along the water to a certain world-famous outdoor museum that we've always wanted to visit. We'll likely cap the night off with a visit to NYC's best undiscovered roof top locale and even a few scattered surprises along the way.

As with all Big Adventures, join for just one stop or join the whole day. All are invited so bring your friends, Gardener or tax accountant (it is that time of year).

More details on the forthcoming arrival of the Inaugural Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition. Iin Riverside Park, we’ll have teams, art supplies, endless chalk and lovely sections of sidewalk to vandaliz…er decorate. After everyone hones their skills and talent, one winner will be crowned the Picasso of the Park!And yes, there is a trophy. 

 ...And if you would like to know more about all our past big Adventures, Click Here

 We leave you with four very enticing words delicious, delicious Electric Lemonade from the 79th Street Boat Basin. (Sunset over the Hudson are four pretty good words too...)