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The neighborhood between South Street Seaport and City Hall is one of Lower Manhattan's most bustling areas. Filled with some of the city's oldest architecture, this neighborhood attracts everyone from waterfront tourists, Fulton Street shoppers, and happy hour-bound businesspeople. And the area's daily attractions and activities means there's always something new to do.
Here are some favorite spots and hidden gems that make the South Street Seaport/City Hall neighborhood fun and exciting.
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Find international delicacies at Zeytuna
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Best Place to Eat Globally
Tucked away amongst the skyscrapers of the Financial District is a big, welcoming supermarket that's home to a diverse selection of international delicacies. From Turkish desserts and coffee to sushi to French cheeses, fresh meats, and much more, Zeytuna's (99 William Street) is the Lower Manhattan equivalent of a world cuisine bazaar. Marina Gutgarts, a downtown accountant, highly recommends the conveniently located market for its inviting store design and polite staff. "They make their own cookies," she says. "They have great salad and sushi. And they have lots of tables to sit at inside and outside. You should go there -- you'd like it." Just remember to bring a hearty appetite.
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Great views to help you relax at Pier 17
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Best Harbor Vista
It's easy to think of Pier 17 as just a giant shopping mall -- and completely forget that it juts hundreds of feet into the East River. However, you'll be reminded of the pier's beautifully scenic location if you follow Karina Lugo's advice and head up to the pier's top-floor deck. From there, you can sit back in one of a dozen reclining deck chairs and absorb the beauty of New York Harbor. Lugo, an English student originally from Venezuela, says she often goes to the picturesque deck after work. "It's such a great place to lay back, look at the [Brooklyn and Manhattan] bridges, and watch the boats," she says. "I highly recommend it for everyone, whether they're tourists or live in New York."
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Barbara Geyer serves up cool Italian Ices
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Best Italian Ices
It's a blistering summer day. The humidity is thick. The sun is high and the shade is scarce. What's a Lower Manhattanite to do for a little cooling off? Head to Fulton Street Ices, parked on the sidewalk in front of Fulton Street Empanadas (Fulton and Gold Streets), for one of a handful of refreshing flavors of Italian ices. Made by Queens's Lemon Ice King of Corona, the tasty ices are dished up by Barbara Geyer from noon to 6 p.m. daily. Geyer says the stand stays busy all day -- even on rainy days -- and that lemon and grape are the best selling flavors. "It's the best thing to eat on a hot day," says one of Barbara's regular neighborhood customers. "Lemon is the best. It's the only flavor I ever get." Geyer notes that the ices go over big with passersby who love ice cream but can't eat dairy products, plus her stand offers more interesting flavors. "I love the mango," says Geyer. "I don't know what I'm going to do when the stand has to close down for the winter!"
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Ryan Martino and his family gather at Triangle Park
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Best Jungle Gym
Adults in the Seaport neighborhood have lots of places to go and things to do, but what about someone like three-year-old Ryan Martino? According to Ryan's mom, Michelle, his top choice is the Triangle Park on Fulton between Pearl and Water Streets. The park is actually a rubber-floored playground that's fenced in to keep tykes like Ryan close to mom. It's also the main gathering place for many of the area's younger families. "We come here all the time," Michelle says. "But it's best on the weekends and after six o'clock [on weekdays]. That's when the streets are quieter and it's mostly local residents on the streets." Michelle and Ryan also take advantage of bike paths and grassy areas along East River Park, where Ryan's dad and older brother join them for bike rides and watching softball games -- though Ryan's still partial to Triangle Park's slides and jungle gym.
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Fresh seafood at Carmine's restaurant
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Best Seafood Restaurant
If anyone knows the restaurants in the Seaport neighborhood, it's Leon Powell. Powell is the front desk attendant and concierge at the Best Western Seaport Inn, located at Front Street and Peck Slip. "If you want the very best seafood around, go to Carmine's," says Powell, who's gotten familiar with the local fare over his two-year tenure at the hotel. Along with good value and great service, Powell assures that the restaurant (located at Beekman and Front Streets) offers fresh seafood and delicious Italian specialties. But he notes that Carmine's is a great place to dine with friends, and not so ideal for romantic dinners. "On a date you'd be better off at the Harbor Lights restaurant in the South Street Seaport pavilion -- they've got the better view," adds Powell.
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Robertino Cox enjoys City Hall Park
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Best Park
Relaxing under the trees, listening to live music and catching up with friends is all part of a normal work week for Robertino Cox. That's because the downtown caseworker seizes every opportunity to sneak away from his desk to bask in the warm summer weather at City Hall Park, his favorite green space in the neighborhood. "I go there about twice a week with my coworker, usually for lunch, but sometimes after work too," says Cox, who adds that the Friday afternoon summer music series is one of the park's biggest draws. He says, "The big fountain there is beautiful, and the sound of the water is calming. Plus the park is laid out nicely, there's lots of benches, and the lamps are nice to look at, especially once the sun sets."
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Michael Fujii and Imran Khan like happy-hour at John Street Bar &Grill
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Best Place for an After-Work Drink
For investment bankers Michael Fujii and Imran Khan, there's only one place to unwind after work over a game of pool and killer appetizers: John Street Bar & Grill (17 John Street). Fujii and Khan often take advantage of the pub's happy-hour specials with other downtown friends, who agree that John Street's jalapeño poppers are the best in the city. "We go there all the time," Khan says. "It's a great place to hang out with the guys and relax." Fujii says the bartenders know how to perfectly pour his favorite drink, Grey Goose and soda, and the wonderful wait staff always makes for a friendly scene.
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