A Running Tour of Williamsburg

Finally, some nice weather here in NYC! Tonight I went out for a run in my new neighborhood. It's only the second time I've run outside since we moved in the fall. I thought I'd share some of my observations while running through the new 'hood.

Here is a little map of my area for your convenience:

I started off running north on Wythe towards McCarren Park. Here I passed the things I see every day that make this neighborhood unique. Each block seems to alternate between warehouses and new construction condos. Yes, many of these condos will cost you just shy of a million dollars, to live amongst these deserted garages. Gotta love it. Hidden in these blocks are also plenty of restaurants, cafes, art galleries, and boutiques. I could walk a block 5 times and see something new each time. This is partially because many of these places look like they are just warehouse space, and partially because new things are opening all the time.

I reach McCarren Park, which is one of the nicest parks in Brooklyn (so I'm told, I've never been to another, haha). I see people playing baseball, and lots of people with dogs (yay!). But mostly, I see Hipsters. Hipsters freakin' everywhere. As I ran by I could just see plaid shirts lining the grass and benches on both sides of me. They were talking, writing, drawing, taking pictures, drinking coffee. Enjoying the sun in their plaid shirts, hats, and skinny jeans (on the men). I did not fit in. And before I go on, let me just say that I am a pretty confident person. I don't normally think people are looking at me, and I'm not really self-conscious. But in this instance, it was clear that I did not fit in, as every Hipster stared at me as I ran by. I swear, it is true. Did they not approve of my cute pink and teal running outfit? Could they hear the Lady Gaga from my ipod?

Needless to say, I left the park. I ran south down Kent Avenue, along the waterfront. I could see the Empire State Building right across the river. I was thinking, "I belong on that side." After my trip through McCarren Park, I was missing my days of running the Central Park reservoir a lot! As I ran along the waterfront, I came upon some grassy areas- little parks set up on the water. How nice! I decided to enter the park and run up towards the water. Not so smart. The ground here was all cobblestone, and I almost fell five times. I was the only one running in this area, and now I know why! But now I know these little parks exist, complete with picnic tables and beautiful skyline views. Maybe I will return!

I continued south on Kent, and when I got to my street, I decided to keep running south. I don't go south very often, as I was under the impression it's a little shady over there. But I am quite tough (ha) and I figured this NYC gal could take care of herself. Well, I wouldn't say it was shady, but it was rather deserted. I could see some Hassidic Jews walking in the distance (south Williamsburg = land of the black hats). I also saw a photo shoot, and the model was posing spread eagle (in clothing, though) in front of some deserted warehouses. But besides that, I was alone. I passed the Domino Sugar Factory. I passed some other sort of plant that smelled AWFUL. And before I knew it, I was under the Williamsburg Bridge. Maybe next time I'll run over the bridge and right back into Manhattan ...

As I ran back home though the "south side" as they call it, I crossed to another street so that I was no longer on the waterfront block. Here I saw more restaurants, art galleries, and stores. I also noticed a lot more new construction condos. Maybe I was wrong about this part of town. I will have to explore here some more!

And this concludes my little running tour of Williamsburg. It is quite the interesting area! And while I would probably still prefer to be running along the reservoir, under the skylines of the Upper West and Upper East Sides, I am discovering new things here around every corner.