Spring is finally here, and the warmer weather has us hankering for sunshine, city views and al fresco excursions. At Gotham Point’s luxury rentals at Hunter’s Point South, dramatic vistas and scenic riverside strolls await just outside your door. Situated at the southernmost point of the breathtaking waterfront park, Gotham Point is the perfect launching pad for a day of adventure and exploration.
Read on for our top picks in and around this urban oasis:
1. Break a Sweat
Nothing gets us energized like an AM workout in the great outdoors. Luckily for residents of Gotham Point’s luxury rentals at Hunter’s Point South, outdoor exercise classes are offered three days a week, and are the perfect way to take in sunrise views while getting your heart pumping. The park also features a well-equipped outdoor gym, located moments outside your front door. Feeling a bit more adventurous? The kayak launch is just downstairs, offering scenic kayak rides on Newtown Creek. And for those with little ones in tow, a day on the waterfront wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Hunter’s Point South playground!
2. Picnic at the Park
Stop into nearby Black Star Bakery and Cafe to pick up a tasty to-go picnic spread, then head back to the park’s expansive green to enjoy a relaxed waterfront repast. Savor Black Star’s selection of classic pastries and brunch specialties like breakfast burritos, avocado toast and bagel sandwiches, while taking in the breathtaking skyline views from Hunter’s Point. It’s the ideal spot for meeting up with friends and soaking up the sun.
3. Cruise Down the East River
For even more incredible city vistas, hop on the East River Ferry at the Hunter’s Point South Ferry Landing. Moments away from Gotham Point’s luxury rentals at Hunter’s Point South, the terminal is just 7 minutes from Midtown Manhattan—a commuter’s dream! More in the mood for exploring trendy Brooklyn hoods? The ferry also makes stops in Williamsburg and DUMBO. No matter where the day takes you, it’s an outstanding way of visiting different parts of the city.
4. Walk Along the Water’s Edge
A serene walking path meanders around the perimeter of the Hunter’s Point South waterfront. Slightly elevated over the park’s newly established wetland habitats, this is the perfect scenic stroll for nature lovers (who will also appreciate the park’s innovative and ecologically resilient design.) The central causeway unfurls to the waterfront’s piece de résistance, a dramatic 30-foot tall cantilevered overlook. Suspended over the tidal marshes at the water’s edge, this is the spot for unparalleled panoramic views of the East River and Manhattan skyline, and the perfect backdrop for an afternoon spent outdoors with a good book.
5. Hit the Taprooms
Long Island City is a beer-lover’s paradise: the neighborhood is home to a plethora of local craft breweries and taprooms. The Rockaway Brewing Company, located near the waterfront on the northern end of Hunter’s Point, is the ideal spot to enjoy a selection of one-of-a-kind seasonal beers in a beachy, laid back atmosphere—they’ve even got a resident brewery cat! Just a short walk to the east, Fifth Hammer Brewing Co. serves up a variety of unique craft beers in its large and welcoming warehouse-like space. Discover even more local breweries—LIC boasts no fewer than five in short walking distance of one another—on Gotham’s neighborhood map.
6. Discover NYC’s Best Tacos
As you wind your way back southward, do yourself a favor and stop for dinner at Casa Enrique. Just two blocks east of the waterfront, this is a true destination restaurant for locals and culinary tourists alike. The casual cantina is no ordinary taco joint—chef Cosme Aguilar’s soulful cuisine has earned the restaurant a devoted cult following, not to mention a Michelin star. And their offerings go beyond just tacos: for a real treat, try the swoon-inducing chicken enchiladas with mole de Piaxtla, a slow-simmered sauce made with chocolate, raisins, and seven different chiles.
7. Take in Some Public Art at Dusk
Before returning home to your waterfront luxury rental at Hunter’s Point South, end your day on the park’s island-like peninsula lawn. As the sun sinks beneath the city skyline, admire the permanent art installation, “Luminescence,” by local artist Nobuho Nagasawa. The work comprises seven domed sculptures representing the seven phases of the moon; each emits a luminescent glow at night, thanks to an integrated phosphorescent polymer. Their hypnotic beauty is the perfect coda to a day of waterfront revelry.
