What to pinch your claws into in NYC, in Hudson River Park and beyond.
Crabigail, a blue crab of unusual amiability, resides in Hudson River Park’s Estuarine Sanctuary and emerges, on occasion, to make the cultural rounds.
In honor of Crab Week, she’s been scuttling beyond the river’s edge—hobnobbing with notable crustaceans, pinching in the sights, brushing elbows (or chelae) with pollinators and reminding her fellow New Yorkers that the greatest city in the world has always had a wild side.
SCUTTLES OF NOTE
Visiting Crab Friends in Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park’s Wetlab at Pier 40
Hudson River Park’s research aquarium at Pier 40 features live Hudson River creatures—including several species of crab. During guided “look-ins,” River Project staff introduce visitors to local wildlife. Crabigail, who needs no introduction, dropped by for a clawfee with her brackish besties and lingered. She likes a tank with range.
Crabigail says: There’s no place like home.
Crabs on the Water
NYC Ferry from Hudson River Park’s Pier 79
A classic New York move: catch a ride by water, ideally with the wind at your shell. Crabigail boarded the NYC Ferry at Pier 79 in Hudson River Park and enjoyed a scenic trip down the Hudson River—taking in skyline views, a glimpse of her favorite piers, and a refreshingly splashy breeze. Transit, she insists, is best experienced above water level, claws relaxed.
Crabigail says: Bonus: no surge pricing.
Crabulous Sightings in Central Park
The Obelisk (Cleopatra’s Needle) in Central Park
Who holds up the oldest outdoor monument in NYC? Crabs, of course. In Central Park, the granite obelisk known as Cleopatra’s Needle has weathered more than 3,000 years (and today, one very enthusiastic blue crab). When the Romans found the damaged monument in 12 BC, they cast bronze crabs to support it. Today, replicas do the job. Crabigail stopped by to pay her respects and reflect on the passage of time, the nature of permanence, and whether ancient Egyptians would’ve appreciated a good molt. She suspects yes.
Crabigail says: History rests on a claw.
Crab at the Museum
American Museum of Natural History
Crabigail’s visit here was part reflection, part reconnaissance. She inspected the estuary diorama for accuracy (approved), studied specimens of her fellow decapods (respectfully), and stood beneath the great blue whale to contemplate the grandeur of the marine world—and her place in it.
Crabigail says: millions of species, and someday they’ll all be crabs
Crab's Gotta Eat (Other Crabs)
Market 57 in Hudson River Park’s Pier 57
At Market 57, Crabigail made her way to Essex Pearl for a bite. She chose the crab roll, if you were wondering. It raised eyebrows, but not hers. (Blue crabs are opportunistic eaters, and yes, that includes each other.) (Blue crabs also do not have eyebrows).
Crabigail says: It’s not personal, it’s lunch.
Digital Crabs
The Discovery Tank at Hudson River Park’s Pier 57
When at Pier 57, Crabigail always likes to stop by Hudson River Park’s Discovery Tank, an interactive technology-powered gallery and classroom that’s free for the public to enjoy. She took a digital dive beneath the surface of the Hudson River to see her fellow blue crabs, and checked out some crabby specimens under the superscope.
Crabigail says: This month’s theme is all about crabs. For me, that’s every month.
A Crabs-Eye-View
Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center
At Top of the Rock, Crabigail surveyed her hometown habitat from far above sea level. From this height, the estuary gleams and the skyline stuns. She didn’t linger — crabs prefer ground floors — but she took a moment to wave a claw toward her stretch of river.
Crabigail says: Crabs always come out on top.
A Wetland in the Sky
The High Line
Crabigail took a stroll along the High Line’s Sundeck, where a manmade water feature creates just the right conditions for a mini urban wetland. She admired the buttonbush and swamp rose mallow and nodded approvingly at the pollinators going about their business. The native plantings, the light mist, the people-watching — crabulous.
Crabigail says: The bees were polite. I’d return.
Crustacean Staycation Destination: Gansevoort Peninsula
Hudson River Park’s Gansevoort Peninsula
Crabigail returned to her home turf at Gansevoort Peninsula— a stretch of shoreline she knows by tide and texture. The salt marsh, the scenic vistas, the sunny beach — it’s all familiar, and it’s all hers. She didn’t stay long. Just long enough to feel the sand under her claws and remember where she started.
Crabigail says: Home is where the reef balls are.