New at Spring & Lafayette

I’m a former gym rat. It started under the spell of Jane Fonda and continued for 20-something years with an endorphin high from high impact and step aerobics. Now, I’m a walkaholic. Even on vacations, I like to hoof it—a great way to explore and really get to know a place. I also try to see if there are any interesting architectural walking tours, like I did on my most recent visit to London in October (www.walks.com), enjoying an eye-opening experience that took me through the Jewish Quarter and its reach into the East End, which is emerging as the city’s hip hood.

In car-centric LA, though there’s little walking involved, I highly recommend the architectural tours offered by docent Laura Massino (www.architecturetoursla.com). I opted for her Silver Lake, Hancock Park/Miracle Mile and W. Hollywood/Beverly Hills forays, and now have a whole new appreciation for the left side of the country. And, if you think walking in LA may sound like an oxymoron, you must read The Lost Art of Walking by Geoff Nicholson. (I’m happy to loan my copy.)

One of my typical NYC weekend walks is a simple loop around Central Park’s perimeter streets (about 100 blocks total). I start at 88th & Fifth in front of the Guggenheim and usually go counterclockwise. For all the times I’ve headed up Fifth a/k/a Museum Mile and passed the El Museo Del Barrio at 104th St. (http://www.elmuseo.org), only a few weeks ago did I finally take time out to wander inside and “do” the exhibits there. LOVED IT! GO ASAP! Recently renovated and expanded by Gruzen Samton Architects, it’s a cultural gem not to be missed.

Finally, walking last week to Spring Street to catch the No. 6 train (hey, sometimes the feet will only take a girl so far) I noticed that what had been a months-long inexplicable construction/traffic nuisance at Lafayette and Spring and extending to Kenmare has – voila!—been completed to reveal a charming “island” park, with brick pavement, gaslight-type lamps, plenty of benches and, come spring, landscaping. Check it out on your next walk in SoHo.