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Tom Otterness' The Real World installation takes over an entire section of Rockefeller Park. 

Where To Find Tom Otterness Sculptures in NYC

NYC has many street art installations, with the Otterness subway creations being one of the most well-known. Here's a list of where you can find more Otterness goodness, some of which are only known to locals of the neighborhood:

• The Marriage of Money and Real Estate: Northwestern shore of Roosevelt Island, just off the Jack McManus Field.
• Silver Towers Playground: West 41st Street between 11th and 12th Avenues.
• The Real World: Near River Terrace and Chambers Street on the northeastern corner of Rockefeller Park

Of these locations, Battery Park City's The Real World installation is our favorite hidden gem to visit with the whole family, thanks to an excellent location and the quiet, undiscovered nature of the small park, which is nestled in a corner of the family-friendly Rockefeller Park. To get into this location, enter at the Chambers Street and River Terrace entrance and veer left just after the stairs, or enter from the River Terrace and Warren Street Pavilion and turn right.

Tom Otterness-designed figurines are hidden in plain sight at Rockefeller Park. 

Why The Real World by Tom Otterness Park is Perfect for Families

Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City is an oasis in the city, situated along the water and offering refuge from the high-rise buildings just a block away. Hidden within this park is a smaller, lesser-known area bursting at the seams with Tom Otterness sculptures.

Kids can go on a scavenger hunt to find all the sculptures hidden around this park. And there's plenty to discover, from a life-sized bulldog hanging out by the water fountain to the little turtles, frogs, and men hiding in the bushes and grasses along the park's perimeter. The park's centerpiece is a bronze building with a long-faced creature being fed coins by the familiar-looking round-headed people—and surrounded by a tiny moat that's, yes, full of more little treasures, like footprints and tiny people in the water.

The park is a perfect place to take a breather, as it's rarely crowded and is fully shaded by the surrounding trees. Small tables and benches line the entire length, but there's plenty of space to run around and push a stroller through, making this park a great place to explore and stop for a meal.

A cheeky little bulldog is one of the pieces in Tom Otterness' The Real World. 

Nearby Attractions and Activities

When you're done tracking down the Otterness' art, don't miss all the fun things to do in Battery Park City with kids. Rockefeller Park has open fields, playgrounds, and public restrooms, and often sets out FREE activities for kids.

Just one block down, you'll find Teardrop Park, a lush oasis of plants hidden between some buildings. Wander down to Vessey Street to grab a sweet treat from Hutch and Waldo, or time your expedition for a Friday to coincide with the weekly Smorgasburg located at the World Trade Center, just a 15-minute walk away.

If you're in search of more public art, we'd suggest continuing south along the waterfront to the newly reopened Wagner Park, which offers some cool installations, room to romp and run, and stunning waterfront views.

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All photos by author