Water, Windows, Wonder and a blast to the past

So you've given thanks, walked off the tofu, enjoyed the popup shopping villages, exchanged cookies, and are now looking for something more. Well, this is it. A holiday nostalgic train ride and walk through Central Park to take in the winter scenery and enjoy some water views, leading to a holiday windows walk to pick up on particularly New York City seasonal energy and maybe grab some roasted chestnuts along the way.

The Walk: The walk starts with an inspection of and ride on the nostalgic train, which is a train assembled of period and antique cars from previous decades. Riders often cosplay a period and try to occupy that car, so be festive. We will then walk to the Harlem Meer to see the floating trees and to the Conservatory for a bathroom break. We will then more or less hug the East side of the park and take in a few festive or interesting areas before heading down Fifth Avenue to see the windows. We will, with a short break at 550, continue down to the carousel below Herald Square before parting. Or maybe opting to stop somewhere for a toast.

Meeting point and time: RAIN CANCELS. Conditions such as threatening rain, heavy snow, or high winds might also cancel. I will post any cancellation plus any rescheduled date by late afternoon on the day before the walk. Otherwise, we will meet at 9:30 at the 2nd Avenue F train station on Houston, on the first mezzanine level near the turnstiles. Then at 9:45 sharp we will walk down to the trains. Note that ending time is approximate and is factored on the walk ending at 33rd Street at the carousel. This is a limited participant walk. Please, if you change your mind or can't come for any reason, change your RSVP as soon as you know so the next person has time to join.
There is no bathroom at the 2nd Avenue meetup point, see below.

Alternate meeting points: If you live along one of the train lines (F or Q), you can opt to join us from one of the below stops by just getting on the nostalgic train and grouping with us at 96th. There is not a precise schedule. Just figure the train leaves 2nd Ave at 10:00 and estimate the time to your stop. There will not be another nostalgic train behind it until noon. If you take one of these options, wait at 96th at the uptown exit just outside the turnstiles. We will plan ten minutes after train arrival for people to deboard, have a look around, and get up to the mezzanine. The next meetup option will be the bathrooms at the Conservatory Garden, maybe 11:15 or 11:30. No guarantees here.

• For stops between 2 Av–Houston St and Lexington Av–63 St, board on the F line platform.
• For stops between Lexington Av–63 St and 96 St–2 Av, board on the Q line platform.

Uptown Stops:

• 2 Av–Houston St (F)
• Broadway–Lafayette St (D/F, 6)
• West 4 St–Washington Sq (A/C/E, D/F)
• 34 St–Herald Sq (D/F, N/Q/R)
• 42 St–Bryant Park (A/C/E, D/F, N/Q/R, S, 7)
• 47-50 St–Rockefeller Center (D/F)
• 57 St– 6 Av (F)
• Lexington Av–63 St (F, Q)
• 72 St–2 Av (Q)
• 86 St–2 Av (Q)
• 96 St–2 Av (Q)
• The walk: We will walk to the Meer to see the floating trees, then hug the East edge of the park, mostly inside, and see what looks interesting or festive. Following the park walk, we will enter the streets to walk East along 5th Avenue and enjoy the window decorations along the Avenue, perhaps detouring to sixth Ave for the festive displays. We can call it a day after 33rd Street and the carousel.

Bathrooms and lunch: There is most likely a bathroom at Whole Foods at 95 E. Houston, but be sure to keep an eye on the time as the holiday train will leave at 10. First bathroom stop is an hour into the event, at the Conservatory Garden. The second stop will be another hour later at 550 Madison Garden, where we can rest a bit over hot chocolate or hot coffee and a snack break. Not a full lunch, but a snack.

Pace: The walk will be moderately paced through the park and along the Avenue according to conditions. Length is approximately 4 miles, 5.5 hours including the train and rest stops. It is not intended as a leisurely stroll, but 5th Avenue will surely create bottlenecks. City walking is flat and we may take advantage of unencumbered stretches to pick up speed. We will make regular stops to wait a block for people to catch up, but if you stay too long taking pics, we might be gone.

Bring: Pay attention to the weather, including the wind, and dress appropriately and prepare. LAYER UP, CONSIDER YOUR FACE, AND DIG OUT YOUR WINTER WALKING SHOES. Bring water and maybe some hot tea or coffee and some energy snacks that you can eat quickly or on the move. You may wish to bring walking poles against any ice.

Dropouts: Main dropout points will be 59th Street, 42nd Street, and 34th Street, and we will be walking largely in the mid park, so if you need something sooner keep an eye out for possible exits. Just please let someone know if you leave early.

Contact day of: 347-842-5452