The greenway
Part of a route that goes almost all the way around Manhattan, and this is one of its better stretches.
The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway is a roughly thirty-two mile route circling the island. It is not continuous — there are gaps, notably on the east side in midtown — but the Lower East Side portion is one of the more complete and pleasant sections.
The route
From the south, the greenway comes around the Battery and up the east shore past the Battery Maritime Building and the South Street Seaport, under the Brooklyn Bridge, past Pier 35 with its 'sound wave' seating and tidal planting, then Pier 42, Corlears Hook, and north through East River Park towards Stuyvesant Cove and beyond.
Most of it is separated from traffic, running between the FDR Drive and the water.
Cycling it
This is a genuinely good ride, and considerably quieter than the Hudson River Greenway on the west side, which is the busiest bike path in the country. The surface is good, the grade is flat, and the bridge views are the reason to do it.
Citi Bike coverage along the route is dense.
Walking it
Equally good on foot, though the distances are longer than they look — the Brooklyn Bridge to the Williamsburg Bridge is a comfortable half hour's walk, and continuing north through East River Park adds as much again.
Connections
- The Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge pedestrian and bike paths both connect near the southern end
- The Williamsburg Bridge path lands at Delancey Street, a short distance inland from Corlears Hook
- NYC Ferry stops at Corlears Hook, so you can ride one way and take the boat back
Practical notes
There is very little shade and no shelter for long stretches, and wind off the river is significant. Facilities are sparse — plan for water.
Ongoing construction along this shoreline means detours are common and signage for them is inconsistent. If a path is closed, the diversion usually pushes you inland across the FDR at the nearest crossing rather than around the obstruction.