Frank Sinatra's Hoboken

For an alternative to Manhattan with even better views of the Hudson and the city skyline try Hoboken. Yes, Hoboken. You'll be pleasantly surprised by its history, lush parks and ethnic restaurants, many that spill onto Washington and Willow Ave.

One of my clients requires that I videotape cities like Hoboken from the inside out so I really get to know the vicinity, even better than most of the locals. I shot endlessly for 2 days, 9 hours each day stopping only briefing to enjoy Benny Tudino's - home of the largest slice (also a crowded landmark destination), a tiramisu crepe at Crepes Grill and an earful of late night live music at Pier A Park with Midtown as a spectacular backdrop. I tend to eat and drive at the same time but the 12" slice of pie was so big it barely fit behind the steering wheel. Pepperoni and cheese that obstructs driving... I never thought I'd see the day.

A Midtown friend arrived in less than 15 minutes on the Path Train from 33rd and I showed him a revived waterfront he's been missing. From the Verrazano to the George Washington Bridge there before us, while walking Frank Sinatra Way, lay a 180 degree view of bustling and busy Manhattan, all lighted up with a dozen sailboats and pleasure craft motoring up and down the Hudson River. I was surprised to even see fishermen at the end of the pier casting lines and catching trophy size fish.

Hoboken is not the Frat Boy Scene that it was once known for. Steven's Institute is a haven for techheads but luxury apartment rentals, like Maxwells keep popping up along the shoreline attracting families, rich commuters and retirees. Construction crews working for million dollar projects are reshaping entire blocks. This old port city used to be occupied by surface parking lots and abandoned factories -- not any more. Riverfront dwelling units are sprouting up everywhere and bringing with it gentrification and smaller crime rates. It used to be that people who were priced out of Manhattan would cross the Hudson for cheaper alternatives but based on the real estate posters it seems just as inflated albeit more square footage.

By foot or by bike, give Hoboken, the promenade and the considerable green space parks a visit. Or by car take the Lincoln or Holland tunnels. For you baseball fanatics this city even claims to be the birthplace of baseball with the first game supposed played in 1846 at Elysian Fields (11th and Washington). Then again, it's a magnet for people of all walks of life.