I have lived in Chelsea for a while and walked up and down the Hudson more times than I can count — from Chelsea Piers to Little Island and back again. But somehow, I completely missed this little hidden gem until a friend sent it to me: Gansevoort beach!! Yes, a beach. (Kind of..) In Manhattan. With actual sand. I had no idea either!! It is tucked just south of Little Island, and somehow I have always walked past it without realizing that right there is this open stretch of sand, beach chairs, umbrellas, and a peaceful little haven you can just wander into. You obviously cannot swim (this is still the Hudson River after all), but you get the best parts of a beach without the chaos — soft sand, open skies, views for days, and a veryyyy laid-back vibe. There were people reading, couples watching the sunset, friends listening to music — just a relaxed, beautiful spot with space to breathe. And the views are stunning. You get the World Trade Center to one side, Jersey City right across the water, Little Island next to you, and all of Manhattan behind. Then in the evening, the sunsets over the Hudson are everything!! I highly recommend checking it out. Bring a book, bring a snack, bring nothing at all and you will enjoy the city from a completely different angle!