New York: Summer Streets, pedestrianized Times Square, & view from the Waldorf's roof
 

I went to New York this last weekend to see the Park Avenue "Summer Streets" ciclovia and the new pedestrianized Times Square. It was all completely amazing.

The ciclovia:
If you're not aware, on Saturdays in the summer the city closes Park Avenue to cars from Central Park all the way down to the Brooklyn Bridge. It becomes a 6-mile-long bike and ped street.











This is the tunnel passage behind Grand Central. It is normally cars-only.


Coming out of the tunnel. Few pedestrians ever get this view.


Beside Grand Central, on the normally cars-only overpass.




Good luck getting this view any other time.




Tell it, sister.






As you can see, the ciclovia covers a good portion of the length of Manhattan.


There are various repair & rental shops along the way.


At Union Square.


In Lower Manhattan there's no divided boulevard, but the ciclovia goes on.


Word.


True.







Times Square:
The ciclovia on Park is a temporary event, but the city has closed Broadway in Times Square to cars for good. The effect is absolutely stunning. You have to see it to believe it. There are people everywhere. It's unlike anything else in America.













7th Avenue remains open to cars, so it's not a complete pedestrian experience. Nonetheless, whoa.









From the roof of the Waldorf Astoria:

I got a good deal on a room in the Waldorf, so that's where I stayed. At night I went exploring on the 18th floor conference center and found a door to the ledge outside. The 18th floor is where the Waldorf has one of its setbacks, so if you can find the door you get an open-air view of the city.



Oh hai, Empire State Building.






See the bright dot in the upper right, just barely to the left of the building? That would be the planet Jupiter.



Odds and Ends:
Here are some additional leftover pictures. Unrelated things I snapped along the way.

The Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges from a conference room in the NYDOT offices (this was partially a work trip).


Verrazano Narrows, from NYDOT.


The Chrysler Building with Jupiter directly over head.


The new Bank of America skyscraper off on the right.


Interesting.


Union Square.








For some reason I frequently find myself near Astor Place. I love this building.






Last but not least, a view that's either iconic or a cliche. Either way, it's awesome.

I mean, shit. NY is so forward in so many ways. It's the one and only.

love it

Way to go NYC. Nice of them to give more space to the people.

Thanks for sharing pics of Summer Streets! It is a huge success and the people of NYC love it!

Well done.

What's the name of this building, I know I've seen a thread for it somewhere on the forum, I just can't recall the name, thanks.

Fun pics Cirrus, thanks for showing The Great One. :yes:

I love the direction NYC is taking with respect to some transportation/planning related issues.

I'm amazed. Just the sheer mass of people in Times Square is striking. It is unreal. Thanks for the photos, Cirrus! The later photos of the old areas were nice.

I had no idea they closed Bway to automobile traffic. Are they gonna brick it over/landscape it to make it more pedestrian friendly?

NY has changed so much is just a few years...amazing!

Hey Cirrus...you know I'm always giving you grief over our urban discussions but I have to hand it to you on this one! These are great and I hope you can now understand me -when I speak of an urban feel that you've captured well in these pics- that's why I love living here. Thanks for sharing these!:cheers:

That building is One Madison Park. Quite a lovely addition to the 23rd Street and Fifth/Broadway skyline (I think).

fleonzo: I've been to New York many times. There is no question that it is in a league of its own. No other city in America can approach it urbanistically. But that doesn't mean the rest of the country is created equal. Chicago, San Francisco, DC and Boston may be a far cry from New York, but they're also a far cry from Shaumburg, San Jose, Fairfax and Nashua.

:previous: I hear ya!
BTW- the Coffee Shop at Union Sq (corner of W bwy and 16th ) serve a very good mojito! The food is Brazilian influence- strange considering the place looks like a diner. It was in the scene from The Devil Wears Prada. I go there at least once a wk in the summer- did I mention they serve a very good moijto!:banana:

Fantastic quality pics!

Loves It!

But where are all the people?!?!

http://beyonddc.com/galleries2/2009N...s/DSC_0209.jpg

Great thread. I've still got mixed feelings about Times Square, I'm curious to see how it'll look this winter. Regardless, this picture sure makes a good case for it.

Great thread; and even more reason to avoid Times Square but in a good way! :tup:

The ULTIMATE CITY!!!!!!!!!!!