You’ll ‘fall’ for NYC’s latest art project

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Jul 20, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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New Yorkers and visitors alike can immerse themselves in refreshing public art this summer.

The talk of the town is “The New York City Waterfalls,” created by Olafur Eliasson, the Danish-Icelandic artist who is world-famous for creating his own weather systems.

The four waterfalls ranging in height from 90 feet to 120 feet will appear until Oct. 13 They run from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. In addition to the waterfall at Pier 35, just north of the Manhattan Bridge, there is one in Brooklyn at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, another between Piers 4 and 5 near the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and a fourth on the north shore of Governors Island.

Making use of water from the East River, Eliasson created steel scaffolding and a cage beneath the river’s surface that pumps water through a pipe running upward along the scaffolding shooting it through a trough at the top and down the other side to a stunning effect. The falls are lighted after sunset each evening.

People can see the falls by boat, train, bicycle or on foot.

Circle Line Downtown is running special boat tours. The falls are visible from several Circle Line cruises originating from south Street Seaport. Also, there is a 30-minute tour that focuses only on the four installations. The first leaves at 9 a.m. and the last ride departs from Pier 16 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for children 4-12 (4 and younger free) and $9 for seniors 62 and older. A limited number of free tickets to the 30-minute tours are available but must be reserved in advance. Call (866) 925-4631 or visit http://www.circlelinedowntown.com/waterfalls.asp.

New York summer savings
New York City offers a number of free activities and special offers during the summer. To find detailed information, log on to http://www.nycvisit.com.

Check the “Summer in the City” logo for lists of things to see and do. Also New York City’s Restaurant Week summer specials will be available this coming week and July 28-Aug. 1. Participating restaurants are offering three-course prix fixe lunches for $24.07 and dinner for $35.

Waterfalls packages
Loews Regency Hotel, 540 Park Ave. in New York City, is offering a special package to experience the waterfalls in style. The package, priced at $850, includes a one-night stay in a luxurious one-bedroom suite, breakfast at the hotel’s 540 Park restaurant, tickets for viewing the waterfalls aboard a Circle Line cruise and car service to and from the cruise with a basket of Perrier and chocolates to take along. The cruise tour features two options, one of the waterfalls and the other including the Statue of Liberty. To book, call Loews Hotels, (800) 233-2356 or visit http://www.loewshotels.com.

The Buckingham Hotel, across from Carnegie Hall on West 57th Street and Avenue of the Americas, claims it has the most luxurious waterfall-filled adventure in the northeast. The $75,000 World of Waterfalls package begins in the Penthouse Suite with a champagne waterfall awaiting in the rooftop aerie, which features kitchen, king and queen rooms, sprawling living room, two baths, fireplace and terrace with wrap-around view overlooking Central Park. A private yacht with a full open bar and catered dinner from The Sea Gull will take guests on a sunset cruise to see the waterfalls. The limo’s next stop will be Tiffany’s where guests can pick up a Tiffany Legacy triple bar drop pendant with diamonds in platinum. After a night’s sleep, take a private jet trip to Niagara Falls for lunch in the revolving dining room at the Skyline Tower. Next take a helicopter ride along the Niagara River. Afterward, return to the private jet for champagne and dessert before arriving back at the Buckingham Penthouse where a copy of Take Your Time, a book of Olafur Eliasson’s most significant works, awaits.

For those on tighter budgets, the Buckingham is offering a simple Waterfalls package, which includes advance tickets to see the falls on a New York Water Taxi Cruise, a one-bedroom suite and special drinks at Harbour Lights on Pier 17, the only restaurant in the city with a view of two of the four waterfalls. Rates for July and August bookings start at $377 and September and October start at $477, with a two night minimum stay plus tax. Make reservations before Oct. 15. Call (888) 511-1900.

Cowboy country fun
Bandera, Texas, claims to be the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” and if you visit you probably will agree. The town’s title originated in the 1930s when ranching fell on hard times and a local rancher decided to take in “dudes” to help through the Depression.

Most people in the small town northwest of San Antonio still live on a ranch or work on nearby ranches. Typical dress is clean, well-fitting jeans, cotton shirts, boots and western hat.