Pier 84 is one of the largest piers on the Manhattan waterfront, stretching approximately 1,000 feet into the River and measuring nearly 100,000 square feet and located between the Intrepid Sea, Air And Space Museum and the Circle Line.
The highlight of Pier 84 is its welcoming interactive fountain, which encourages youngsters and even some adults to get wet on sunny days, so why not spend some time at the fountain after dinner or enjoy a picnic or a day in the sun on the gently sloping lawn.
The River Project in Hudson River Park features innovative events and activities all year long that highlight the Hudson River ecosystem and the Pier 84 classroom is an important venue for many of the events and activities as it offers both indoor and outdoor areas in which to learn about and discuss issues like water pollution and climate change.
At Pier 84, Manhattan Kayak Company facilitates kayaking and paddle boarding tours as well as individual, group instruction and rentals and the daily schedule has something for everyone from novices to seasoned pros.
Pier 84 is a hidden treasure in Hell’s Kitchen New York thanks to its abundance of recreational opportunities including in the winter, a sizeable snowscape with a dog run, a thriving boathouse, an interactive fountain, and a whole lot more.
Not only does this vibrant pier have a wealth of resources but its history is as impressive, so lets have a closer look at the numerous facets of our largest public pier from its days as a busy passenger ship terminal to its nights as a performance venue and urban refuge.
The Cunard Line used Port 84 as a passenger ship pier in the early 20th century and after its construction in 1924, it quickly became a hub for a variety of visitors, from Olympic athletes and international dignitaries to returning veterans from World War II which saw thousands of immigrants arrive in the United States at Pier 84 and taken by ferry to Ellis Island.
As passenger ships became less common, Pier 84 opened to the public in 1975 and despite the fact that the city frequently used its open area as a parking lot during this time and between the years 1981 and 1990, the pier hosted concerts by both established and rising artists throughout that decade.
We’ve had memorable performances by such luminaries as U2, the Ramones, Miles Davis, Carl Santana, the Beach Boys, Aerosmith, the Clash and countless more right on the riverside.
However, Pier 84 had fallen into ruin by the 1990’s and because of lobbying for it’s public reopening and inclusion in the Hudson River Park master plan, a group of concerned citizens formed Friends of Pier 84 and helped by that, Pier 84 on the Hudson River is now open to the public as a lush green park after it’s construction was finally completed in 2006.
Even in its current state, one of the largest piers along the Manhattan waterfront, Pier 84 still carries the ghosts of its former life and a hook-shaped platform has been installed at the very end of the pier to harken back to the old structure that guided passenger ships into their berths on a daily basis.
Even now, with the renowned Jazz at Pier 84 series, Pier 84 is a great place to hear live music so hopefully these glimpses into the past will add depth to your experience the next time you visit this magnificent urban sanctuary in Midtown Manhattan.