I’ve spent a good portion of my life obsessed with Peter Pan and Neverland. When I was little, I fantasized about Peter materializing at my window, holding out his hand, and flying me off to his magical island. Then one night, I discovered a real magical island much closer to home.
We lived in Queens at the time, on a street that happened to be the highest point in the borough. On a sultry late summer afternoon, the neighborhood kids congregated at the street’s pinnacle for a spirited game of Red Rover. As twilight fell, I glanced off in the distance and saw lights twinkling on an island against a pink and gold sky. I swore one day I would live in that Neverland, which turned out to be Manhattan. And I did.
Life often takes us in unexpected directions. A career change necessitated a move from my beloved city to its polar opposite, Los Angeles. I’ve never quite gotten over this geographical 180, and relish every return to the city of my dreams. On a recent trip, thanks to one of my closet friends, I got to experience the newest amazing addition to the already amazing Big Apple: a real-life Neverland called Little Island.
Little Island is the brainchild of media mogul Barry Diller. Its location alone is fascinating, with a connection to the Titanic. You can read about it here. Laurie, my bestie and in this case also my Peter Pan, got us a reservation for 8:30 p.m.
We arrived at this manmade marvel to the first glimmer of twilight.
We hiked its paths, taking in glorious views. Downtown, the new Freedom Tower, replacement and somber reminder of the World Trade Center lost on 9/11…
Uptown, the iconic Empire State Building, where my dad once had an office…
Laurie and I lingered for more than an hour, until nightfall brought this stunning sight…
A second Neverland now graces the original Neverland of my beloved Manhattan. And this Little Island in the big city gives me hope that magic is still possible in the world.
Peter Pan would be jealous.
Readers, is there a magical place where you live? I’m sure there is!
Chicks on the Case 
Amazing!!
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Isn’t it?!
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I have no NY connections, but you’d think there would have been something I’d have heard about this brand new park. Thanks for the trip! I live near Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and it’s full of magical places. If you can find a time when it’s not chock full of tourists.
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I went to the Smokey’s On a family trip once and they were wonderful.
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WOW, one of these days, I want to go there.
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You have to! Once the crowds die down.
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I read that article about Little Island in the paper a few weeks ago, and the first thing I said to Robin was, “I want to go there!” It looks amazing! So glad you made it to Neverland, Ellen!
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Thanks, Leslie!
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That is so cool! Thanks for sharing!
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It is cool, J.C.! Glad you liked it.
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Fascinating, El! I still have friends in NYC from my college days. I’ll have to go back and visit sometime.
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Yes! Combine a visit to Little Island with a stroll on the High Line. You’ll never want to leave.
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Great pics, El! And loved your Neverland story. Funny, I’m driving home from NY right now (well, my hubby is), where I told my Brooklyn daughter about this great new place she could bring her family to (soon). She hadn’t heard about it yet, and she is so excited! I can’t wait to visit it as well, maybe next time…I think I’d like to see it day-to-night also. So sparkly—and Pier 54 lives!
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Lisa, they have special kid activities! https://littleisland.org/kids-and-families
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I’m not so sure of many magical places near me. Maybe Hershey Park where the Hershey Chocolates were made. That’s pretty cool there. Thing is though, Ellen– I’m right with you. Manhattan is IT! One of my (“few”) tattoos is the Big Apple(red) with a skyline at the bottom (black) and the stem is green and says NYC. If I could, I’d be there in a heartbeat!
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Oh, if you’re near Hershey Park, you are definitely near a magical place, Tracy!
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Would you like for me to ship you some samples? LOL.
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Tracy, ALWAYS! LOLOLOl.
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If I lived near Hershey, I wouldn’t fit through a door! I went once and the whole town smelled like chocolate.
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LOL, you and me both!
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Oh, how it does smell of chocolate! I’d go to a Doc near there and always stop in the Chocolate Factory on the way home. We all love the Take5 bar. I’d just buy the whole box, lol!
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Wow, what a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing the pictures too. Really want to go there.
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It’s so cool. Combine it with a stroll on the High Line, which starts right nearby. NY at its best!
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Glorious pictures and fabulous post, Ellen! In the words of Liz Lemon, I want to go to there. Field trip, anyone?
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Yo! I’ll get packing now! I’ve driven in NYC before. I’ll drive. I have room for 4 more- skinny ladies in the back. It’s a big Jeep. Ellen needs to be our tour guide and it looks like Jennifer can help Ellen. Deal?
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I want to go back, so raising both hands!
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You have to go, Ellen. We need you! And just to be corny, I’ll take us all out to lunch to celebrate you at Ellen’s Stardust Diner!
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Great pics! I’ve heard about this place and put it on my RATHER LENGTHY LIST OF PLACES TO VISIT. Thanks for the reminder!
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