The flavors of Downtown. Family-friendly fun. This Mother’s Day, we celebrate one of our local Seaport moms, Cynthia Alvarez, who shares her story, along with what makes our neighborhood such a great one for raising kids.

Meet Cynthia Alvarez

I’m a part-time creative and social media consultant, mother of two, Downtown Manhattan resident, and a New Yorker by heart. I manage social media and branding for Taste of the Seaport, a nonprofit organization that started more than 12 years ago, with the simple idea of gathering our community around its best restaurants to fundraise for the local public schools.

I was born and raised in Mexico City and moved to New York City right after graduating from college. I worked in the credit card industry, for American Express, in various roles from finance to marketing acquisition. About 10 years later, my first child was born, and I decided to pause my career trajectory to focus on motherhood and family life.

My husband and I have a happy family life with our two lovely children, an 8-year-old son, and a 4-year-old daughter. They attend the Spruce Street School, which we are very proud of. Our home is located just a few blocks away from the Seaport, where we frequently spend our time. 

Why we love the Seaport

There’s something unique about the Seaport. The children enjoy running around on Pier 17, playing with friends at Imagine playground, grabbing snacks at Tin Building, and visiting the cute kid’s book section at McNally Jackson Books. Overall, it’s a wonderful neighborhood to be a part of. 

We used to frequent the Hudson River side more often, however, over the past four to five years, we’ve made the Seaport our go-to destination for family time. The charming cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge make it even more special. Plus, it’s home to some of the city’s most innovative culinary experiences and restaurants. 

What I love most about the Seaport is that this historic place has transformed into a modern neighborhood with something for everyone. You can enjoy casual bites and happy hour, an upscale waterfront dinner, museum exhibits, sailing on the East River, shopping at the stunning Tin Building, or wandering along the Piers after stopping at one of the charming coffee places or ice cream parlors. The Seaport has something to offer any day, any season. 

Favorite Spots in the Neighborhood

As a creative consultant, I gravitate towards beautiful places that offer inspiration to my clients. The Seaport is my happy place. I love the Cafe at McNally Jackson Books when I need to focus on a specific project. The ambiance is so pleasant. For client meetings, T Cafe is my number one choice, as well as T Brassiere for work lunches. 

As a mom, my little people also love it here. The Tin Bakery and Spoiled Parrot are their number one choice, but they also love the crepes. As the weather warms up, I enjoy getting a glass of wine from the Wine Bar while my kids play outside on the pier! It is quickly becoming a favorite activity for a Thursday afternoon. 

We also enjoy the variety of dining options on Front St, Il Brigante is a favorite for family dinners. The burrata and Fettuccine alla Bolognese are our staples. 

During the summer, we love taking a stroll along the waterfront after the children play at Imagine Playground. Then, we enjoy getting a pie from Di Fara Pizza and taking it to the Heineken Riverdeck to watch the sunset. The kids have plenty of room to play and they enjoy dancing to the DJ’s music. There are many dessert options, but we usually choose Mister Dips ice cream, or cookies from Funny Face Bakery. If you’re looking for a fun night out or a date night, I highly recommend Casa Tulum. The atmosphere is beautiful yet relaxed, and the food and cocktails are excellent. Personal favorites are the aguachile, the Pinche Tacos section, and the spicy margarita!

For special celebrations, the river views from Pier 17 are truly enchanting. I am in love with Carne Mare, Malibu Farm, and The Fulton; the decor and food at both are incredible.

What Motherhood Means to Me

Every woman experiences motherhood differently, but we all can attest that it’s the most powerful feeling and the most rewarding, too. The kind of love that will forever change you and will forever stay with you.  

Since becoming a mom, my life has undergone significant changes. Taking a career pause brought a lot of uncertainty but I didn’t want to miss out on those ordinary moments where I could witness my children taking in the world. Those little moments have been my inspiration ever since, and I am a better person because of them.