The Luxurious Journey

There has been a lot of buzz lately about the new “Little Island “ park in NYC. Little Island is the love child of power couple Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg. It’s a public park that floats high on a pier above the Hudson River right by the Meatpacking District. In fact, it’s not too far from DVF’s store on 14th and Washington (coincidence?)

New York’s Meatpacking District is a fashionable neighborhood abutting the West Side highway between Chelsea and the West Village. Its modern renaissance began in the late 1990s and early 2000s and it has become a hub for phenomenal restaurants, trendy hotels, and luxury shopping.

Little Island debuted in May of this year to rave reviews. But what’s it really like? First of all, when they call it “little,” that’s not hyperbole. For whatever reason, despite its name, I had it in my head that it would be somewhat large. I didn’t understand why bikes weren’t allowed! How are people going to get from one end to the other? Well…quite easily, actually. It’s small. It’s said to be 2.4 acres, yet it feels smaller than that. It’s very unique and fun and definitely worth the visit. 

To simply call Little Island a “park” doesn’t do it justice. It is more of a living art installation.

And with the world longing for live entertainment, Little Island has 2 amphitheaters for outdoor events.

It will be exciting to see which shows begin to fill the stands. It’s sure to be a perfect way to spend a summer night in the city.

Day or night, the views in and around the “Island” are stunning.

Entry into the park is free (but crowd size is monitored so entry not guaranteed), but time-reserved tickets are required for afternoon and evening visits.  I suggest dining at one of the many amazing restaurants in the Meatpacking district. Although there are food trucks on premises, options seemed limited. For a gorgeous rooftop, try the RH (Restoration Hardware) Rooftop Restaurant.

If you want to go on a nice long walk in a park, this is not the place for you. However, it’s a good starting point to wake up the mind and the senses. So, next time you’re in NYC, grab a coffee and a pastry at Chelsea Market, walk through Little Island, and then head over to the High Line about two blocks away for some serious walking. After that, perhaps stop by my favorite brunch spot, Pastis, for their incomparable Eggs Norwegian and even more mouth-watering french fries.

After brunch, enjoy a wide variety of great shopping, from Rag & Bone to Hermes, and then head around the corner to the historic Whitney Museum. A perfect day in the City!