The rain was coming down heavy as I left my house at 7:15 AM, determined to make it to Rivian’s newly reimagined Meatpacking space by 9:00 AM. While I’d given myself what seemed like plenty of time, NYC traffic and Mother Nature clearly had other plans for my morning. I should have known better. But there I was, watching my windshield wipers work overtime while crawling through Manhattan traffic, headed to be among the first to experience Rivian’s completely transformed concept space and their inaugural “Adventure Drive” to The Met Cloisters.
Let me be real with you: I almost took the LIRR that morning. But after doing the math on transfers, subway connections, walking in the rain, and needing to be back in time for pre-K pickup, driving made more sense. Sometimes, being a mom means making practical choices, even when you’re heading to a luxury car experience.
What Drew Me to This Rainy Day Adventure
When Rivian invited me to be among the first to experience their completely revamped Meatpacking space and take their R1S Tri-Motor on an adventure drive before it opened to the public, I couldn’t resist. The space has been transformed into a first-of-its-kind concept store that’s launching quarterly “adventure drives” to destinations in NYC’s backyard. Think Storm King Art Center or, in my case, The Met Cloisters. Despite the weather threatening to dampen my photo ops with the R1S and outdoor time at The Cloisters, I was intrigued by Rivian’s approach to experiential design and storytelling.
A Beautiful Revamp in the Heart of Meatpacking
Walking into Rivian’s reimagined space felt like stepping into an urban oasis. The first thing that caught my eye? The plants. OMG! I was mesmerized by the fiddle leaf figs and rubber plants creating this lush, welcoming environment. As someone who appreciates good design (and loves my plant babies), I was here for it.
The space sits just beneath the High Line, and you can feel that connection to nature throughout. With warm wood tones, natural textures, and clean lines, it feels less like a car showroom and more like a modern living room where you actually want to hang out. The centerpiece pavilion houses a communal theater, while the exterior serves as an ever-changing display canvas.
What really impressed me was how thoughtfully family-friendly the space is. They’ve designed interactive moments at kid-height with tactile elements my daughters would love. There’s a color experience where kids can choose their favorite Rivian shade and a sound station where they guess NYC audio clips. As a mom, I appreciated that someone finally understood that dragging kids car shopping doesn’t have to be torture.
The immersive experience engages all your senses: the warmth of natural materials, ambient soundscapes, the scent of fresh greenery, and yes, even taste with their coffee and tea bar. There is a listening nook, where you can tap digital displays to hear owner stories through headsets. After my drive, I thought, “One day, my story might be playing here for future Rivian families.”
The Adventure Drive to The Met Cloisters
The drive to The Cloisters took about 30 minutes, and thankfully, I wasn’t behind the wheel for the trip up (praise be, because that rain was no joke). Four of us piled into the R1S Tri-Motor: two Rivian staff members, another writer, and I. Here’s a fun little cosmic coincidence that made for great conversation – we discovered we were all August babies! Get this: our birthdays were August 3rd, 4th, 5th, and mine on the 27th. Three Leos and a Virgo trapped in a car together during a rainstorm. You can imagine the energy! The Leos were enthusiastic storytellers, while this Virgo was taking mental notes about every feature in the vehicle. It definitely made the ride more memorable and gave us an instant connection beyond just “car talk.”
When the weather cleared up slightly, I took the wheel for the return trip. Let me tell you about this all-electric SUV:
The interior is incredibly spacious, and the minimalist design doesn’t sacrifice comfort. My immediate thought? “My kids won’t be able to reach each other to fight!” The second row has so much legroom and headspace that even my husband would be comfortable on long trips.
The 360-degree camera system is probably the clearest I’ve experienced, and it came in clutch navigating city traffic. When an impatient driver nearly sideswiped us trying to merge on the West Side Highway, the camera automatically activated, giving me perfect visibility. For anyone intimidated by passing wide trucks or buses in the city, this feature alone is worth its weight in gold.
The R1S handles like a dream for an SUV of its size. It’s smooth, responsive, and doesn’t feel like you’re piloting a small yacht through Manhattan streets.
Discovering The Met Cloisters: A NYC Native’s Surprise
Can you believe I’d never visited The Met Cloisters as a born-and-raised New Yorker? This medieval museum tucked away in Fort Tryon Park is absolutely stunning. Even in the rain, the architecture and gardens offered a sense of calm that feels impossible to find in NYC.
I enjoyed a private tour and immediately added it to my mental list of date spots to revisit with my husband. It’s proof that there’s always something new to discover in your own backyard.
Real Mom Life: Gotta Pick Up the Kid
Here’s where I keep it real with you: I couldn’t linger after returning from The Cloisters because pre-K pickup waits for no one. That’s the reality of being a working mom who loves luxury experiences but still has to navigate school schedules. Even with limited time, though, the experience was memorable and meaningful. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you squeeze in between drop-off and pickup.
Why I’m Lowkey Obsessed with the R1S Now
When I got home, still slightly damp from the rain, my husband asked how it went. My immediate response? “I want one!” His reply: “I knew you’d say that.”
The R1S Tri-Motor checks all my boxes: it’s spacious enough for our family of four, luxurious without being ostentatious, and perfect for both city driving and spontaneous weekend escapes upstate. It’s the kind of vehicle that makes you want to plan road trips just to spend more time in it.
The Beauty in the Bump
What struck me most about this entire experience was that Rivian understands that adventure isn’t always about extreme expeditions. Sometimes, it’s finding beauty in a rainy morning drive, discovering a hidden gem in your own city, or simply having the space (literally and figuratively) to breathe between the chaos of daily life.
The newly designed Meatpacking space perfectly captures this. It’s a place to slow down, connect with the brand’s story, and imagine your own adventures, whether that’s a cross-country road trip or just a more comfortable school run. The thoughtful details, from the kid-friendly features to the owner storytelling stations, show that luxury isn’t just about price tags; it’s about experiences that honor every part of who we are.
As moms, we often put our desires on the back burner. But sitting in that R1S, navigating NYC streets with confidence while heading to explore art and history? That felt like showing up for myself while still being able to show up for my family. And that’s the kind of balance I’m always seeking.
Modern Adventure for Moms Who Do It All
Rivian gets that modern luxury means different things to different people. For me, it’s about having the flexibility to transition seamlessly from school pickup to date night, from city streets to weekend getaways. Their Meatpacking space invites you to explore not just their vehicles but also what adventure means to you.
If you’re in NYC, I highly recommend stopping by. The space is open Monday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, no appointment needed. Grab a free coffee, let your kids explore the interactive features, and maybe sign up for your own adventure drive. Trust me, even on a rainy day, it’s worth it.
Would you test drive the R1S? Have you ever visited The Met Cloisters? Let me know in the comments below!
Visit Rivian Meatpacking:
461 W 14th Street, NYC (under the High Line)
rivian.com/spaces/newyork
⏰ Monday-Sunday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
✓ No appointment needed
✓ Free coffee and Wi-Fi
✓ Kid-friendly
Looking for more NYC mom car reviews and family travel content? Follow along on Instagram @Beautyandthebump for luxury lifestyle insights through a millennial mom lens.