Everyone knows that New York Metropolis is the unique concrete jungle – a bustling mass of towering skyscrapers, people-packed sidewalks, and crowded subways.
The sheer quantity of individuals and the fast-paced ambiance makes it all of the extra vital to flee to inexperienced areas, a quiet city retreat nestled amongst the chaos.
If you happen to’re in want of relaxation and rest, or have to get away from honking noises, the worry of yellow taxis mowing you down, the lengthy queues in Starbucks and the frantic New Yorkers pushing and shoving onto the Subway, you then’ll need to make a remark of those parks in NYC to flee the chaos.
Inexperienced areas, gardens, and parks in New York Metropolis might be few and much between, making them particularly coveted for residents and guests alike – particularly as soon as the climate warms up.
So we’ve determined to create an inventory of the very best parks in NYC to present you some locations to respite to. This checklist is subjective and, because it’s based mostly on private experiences, not each park in NYC and its boroughs has been explored. This publish focuses primarily on Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Whether or not you’re looking for the right picnic floor, house to run and play, or just a grassy knoll away from the teeming lots, listed here are just a few of my favourite NYC parks.
1. Central Park
For sure, essentially the most well-known park in NYC (if not the world) is Central Park. It takes up 778 acres within the coronary heart of Manhattan: six % of the overall land space of the island!
There’s loads to do in Central Park in all seasons: ice skating rinks and sledding within the winter, bike using or curler skating and watching the magnolia timber blooming within the spring, having a picnic in Sheep Meadow in the summertime, or simply wandering round to benefit from the leaves altering coloration in Autumn.
Though Central Park New York is a favourite place for New Yorkers to stroll their canine or play in a softball league, there are many iconic websites inside the park as nicely which makes it a must-visit for vacationers to NYC.
Have a drink at The Boathouse and watch the lovers row across the lake underneath Bow Bridge – and even lease a ship your self.
You’ll be able to splurge on dinner at Tavern on the Inexperienced, watch the children (and adults) race mannequin sailboats on the Conservatory Water, pop into the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork or see the view of Turtle Pond from Belvedere Citadel.
Facet Observe: The farther north you go within the park, the less vacationers you’ll see. It will possibly additionally get a bit sketchy within the north of the park with homelessness, so it’s finest to remain under the reservoir. The Ramble (a wooded space) and The North Woods are recognized to have some unsavoury characters hanging about.
2. Washington Sq. Park, Greenwich Village
Washington Sq. Park is correct within the coronary heart of West Village, and only some steps from the purchasing insanity of SoHo.
The sq. can also be lined with the NYU campus buildings, so it’s unsurprisingly crammed with loads of school children.
House to essentially the most well-known arch within the metropolis – constructed to have fun the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration as president – there’s additionally a fountain that’s crammed with taking part in youngsters throughout the summer time months.
It’s a vibrant place with avenue artists and musicians busking – it’s a fantastic place for people-watching
3. Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights and Inwood
It’s exhausting to consider you’re nonetheless on Manhattan while you’re in Fort Tryon Park because it begins at a hundred and ninetieth Avenue.
Regardless of being additional out, it holds the town’s largest public backyard, overlooking the Hudson River with a view of the George Washington Bridge.
It’s large enough (and much sufficient away from the middle of the town) you could all the time discover a quiet nook to your self.
Fort Tryon Park can also be dwelling to the Cloisters, a department of the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork that focuses on medieval artwork and is definitely made up of historic buildings that have been transported from Europe and reconstructed on the positioning.
My favourite a part of the Cloisters is the outside part; it has a herb backyard with greater than 250 species of vegetation that have been grown throughout the Center Ages.
4. Gramercy Park
Gramercy Park is arguably essentially the most unique inexperienced house in New York Metropolis; you may solely enter with one among 383 coveted keys to the park.
It’s been fenced since 1833 and locked since 1844, with keys solely granted to parkside residents, membership members and The Gramercy Park Resort company.
However even in case you can’t wiggle your toes within the grass, it’s nonetheless a beautiful and quiet tree-lined stroll across the park.
5. Riverside Park, Higher West Facet
I really feel like Riverside Park is without doubt one of the best-kept secrets and techniques in NYC. It’s only some blocks west of Central Park, however virtually no vacationers enterprise that approach.
It stretches 4 miles (from 72nd to 158th streets) alongside the Hudson River, with a large house to stroll or bike that’s fully lined with attractive towering elm timber.
There are just a few choose gardens, historic monuments (the Troopers’ and Sailors’ is probably going essentially the most well-known), playgrounds and a skate park.
6. Tompkins Sq. Park, East Village
Positioned within the East Village, Tompkins Sq. Park is reflective of the eclectic, sometimes-grungy, sometimes-hipster neighborhood that surrounds it.
On a sunny day, the restricted grass space is filled with sunbathers and picnickers sipping champagne out of pink plastic cups.
It’s not an enormous park, however there’s a canine run, playground, loads of benches and picnic tables, and infrequently group occasions.
Enjoyable truth: it’s additionally dwelling to the unique Hare Krishna tree, though you’re extra prone to see adherents of the faith in Union Sq. at present.
7. Prospect Park, Brooklyn
If you happen to cross the bridge into Brooklyn, that is the very best Brooklyn park! What I like most about Prospect Park is that there aren’t very many vacationers (not that New Yorkers don’t love you!).
It was designed by the identical one who developed Central Park (Frederick Regulation Olmsted and Calvert Vaux), so there are a ton of similarities, but it surely’s filled with locals!
The Lengthy Meadow and Nethermead are the right lawns to unroll a picnic blanket on, and there’s a woodland space generally known as the Ravine the place you may escape to a forested space and commerce skyline views for views of towering timber.
It’s not fairly as classically lovely or as well-maintained, but it surely’s large and inexperienced and filled with broad open areas.
If you happen to’re searching for exercise, strive a motorbike trip across the loop (you may lease a CitiBike close to Barclay Heart) or a paddle boat across the lake or have a espresso on the Picnic Home.
It’s additionally price testing the Brooklyn Botanic Backyard, which is situated proper down the road. It’s particularly resplendent throughout cherry blossom season, however there’s one thing blooming year-round.
Don’t miss an opportunity to discover Prospect Park Zoo in case you have children!
8. Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park is essentially the most well-known park in Brooklyn, nestled alongside the East River waterfront.
Spanning 85 acres, this former industrial web site was renovated into an expansive public park and was formally opened in 2010.
Since then it has been a daily recreation house for households with children desirous to play on its spectacular playground, in addition to vacationers desirous to seize iconic views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.
It has fantastically landscaped gardens and sports activities services, comparable to basketball courts and soccer fields, and there are additionally common artwork installations and seasonal occasions on the lawns, comparable to outside motion pictures and concert events in the summertime.
9. Bryant Park, Midtown
One of many smaller however nonetheless fashionable New York Metropolis’s parks is Bryant Park in Midtown, generally known as the house of the New York Public Library.
It’s location proper within the coronary heart of Manhattan makes it a real city oasis the place you may unwind on the grass however nonetheless really feel and listen to the beat of NYC round you.
It was established within the 1840s as a potter’s subject and later reworked right into a public park, the place at present it serves as a vibrant hub for New Yorkers to get pleasure from some respite in the midst of the town.
It’s recognized for its charming seasonal gardens and occasions all year long. Our favourite are the film nights in the summertime!
Within the winter, the park turns right into a winter village full with ice skating and stalls.
10. Little Island Park, a part of Hudson River Park
One other waterfront park that’s price testing is the uniquely designed Little Island Park, which is an extension off Hudson River Park by way of Pier 54.
Hudson River Park acturally runs from Chambers Avenue to 59th Avenue, however the space round West Village is our favourite because it’s inside strolling distance of Chelsea Market and the Excessive Line – which is 5 minutes stroll from Little Island Park.
This quirky park opened in 2021 and is thought for its placing stilt design. It was constructed by Barry Diller of the Diller-von Furstenberg Household Basis, in partnership with Hudson River Park Belief, after a lot wanted renovation was wanted on one of many piers after Hurricane Sandy.
As you stroll up and down layers of the park, you may benefit from the faint aromas from the flower beds within the continually altering gardens, sit on grassy areas and revel in views overlooking Jersey Metropolis in New Jersey – one other spectacular skyline in NYC, or take your children to inventive workshops which frequently occur within the park.
There’s additionally a waterside amphitheater which frequently has reveals within the evenings and there’s each day yoga on the garden.
11. Battery Park
Battery Park, situated on the southern tip of Manhattan, is a historic waterfront park with views of the New York harbor, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island within the distance.
It was initially established within the seventeenth century as a navy fortification to defend the town, however has advanced right into a serene oasis crammed with lush gardens, monuments, and inexperienced areas.
Take a look at the Battery City Farm, the place group gardening initiatives flourish, or simply stroll alongside the promenade and take within the views.
Don’t miss the SeaGlass Carousel, a singular carousel impressed by the ocean, and the historic Citadel Clinton, which dates again to the Struggle of 1812 and as soon as served as an immigration station.
Map Of These Greatest Parks In NYC
That can assist you plan your go to to those parks, here’s a map exhibiting you the situation of every place.
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