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 environment makes it all of the extra vital to flee to inexperienced areas, a quiet city retreat nestled amongst the chaos.
For those who’re in want of relaxation and leisure, or have to get away from honking noises, the concern of yellow taxis mowing you down, the lengthy queues in Starbucks and the frantic New Yorkers pushing and shoving onto the Subway, then you definitely’ll need to make a remark of those parks in NYC to flee the chaos.
Inexperienced areas, gardens, and parks in New York Metropolis may 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 perfect parks in NYC to provide you some locations to respite to. This listing 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, area to run and play, or just a grassy knoll away from the teeming lots, listed below are a number of of my favourite NYC parks.
1. Central Park
Unquestionably, 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 p.c of the whole land space of the island!
There’s lots to do in Central Park in all seasons: ice skating rinks and sledding within the winter, bike driving 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 colour in Autumn.
Though Central Park New York is a favourite place for New Yorkers to stroll their canines 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 hire a ship your self.
You may 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.
Aspect Be aware: The farther north you go within the park, the less vacationers you’ll see. It could possibly additionally get a bit sketchy within the north of the park with homelessness, so it’s finest to remain beneath the reservoir. The Ramble (a wooded space) and The North Woods are identified 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 just a few steps from the buying insanity of SoHo.
The sq. can be lined with the NYU campus buildings, so it’s unsurprisingly stuffed with loads of faculty youngsters.
House to essentially the most well-known arch within the metropolis – constructed to rejoice the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration as president – there’s additionally a fountain that’s stuffed with taking part in kids in the course of the summer time months.
It’s a vibrant place with road artists and musicians busking – it’s an awesome place for people-watching
3. Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights and Inwood
It’s onerous to imagine you’re nonetheless on Manhattan once you’re in Fort Tryon Park because it begins at a hundred and ninetieth Avenue.
Regardless of being additional out, it holds town’s largest public backyard, overlooking the Hudson River with a view of the George Washington Bridge.
It’s sufficiently big (and much sufficient away from the middle of town) which you can at all times discover a quiet nook to your self.
Fort Tryon Park can 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 out of doors part; it has a herb backyard with greater than 250 species of vegetation that have been grown in the course of the Center Ages.
4. Gramercy Park
Gramercy Park is arguably essentially the most unique inexperienced area in New York Metropolis; you’ll be able to solely enter with one in all 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 should you can’t wiggle your toes within the grass, it’s nonetheless a stunning and quiet tree-lined stroll across the park.
5. Riverside Park, Higher West Aspect
I really feel like Riverside Park is likely one of the best-kept secrets and techniques in NYC. It’s just a few blocks west of Central Park, however nearly no vacationers enterprise that method.
It stretches 4 miles (from 72nd to 158th streets) alongside the Hudson River, with a large area to stroll or bike that’s utterly lined with attractive towering elm timber.
There are a number of 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
Situated 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 purple plastic cups.
It’s not an enormous park, however there’s a canine run, playground, loads of benches and picnic tables, and sometimes neighborhood occasions.
Enjoyable reality: it’s additionally dwelling to the unique Hare Krishna tree, though you’re extra more likely to see adherents of the faith in Union Sq. at the moment.
7. Prospect Park, Brooklyn
For those who cross the bridge into Brooklyn, that is the perfect Brooklyn park! What I really 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 Legislation Olmsted and Calvert Vaux), so there are a ton of similarities, however it’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 often called the Ravine the place you’ll be able to escape to a forested space and commerce skyline views for views of towering timber.
It’s not fairly as classically stunning or as well-maintained, however it’s enormous and inexperienced and filled with large open areas.
For those who’re on the lookout for exercise, strive a motorbike journey across the loop (you’ll be able to hire 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 trying out 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 you probably have youngsters!
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 area for households with youngsters eager to play on its spectacular playground, in addition to vacationers eager to seize iconic views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.
It has fantastically landscaped gardens and sports activities amenities, reminiscent of basketball courts and soccer fields, and there are additionally common artwork installations and seasonal occasions on the lawns, reminiscent of out of doors motion pictures and concert events in the summertime.
9. Bryant Park, Midtown
One of many smaller however nonetheless in style New York Metropolis’s parks is Bryant Park in Midtown, often called 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’ll be able to 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 the moment it serves as a vibrant hub for New Yorkers to get pleasure from some respite in the midst of town.
It’s identified 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 trying out 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’ll be able to benefit from the faint aromas from the flower beds within the continuously 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 youngsters to artistic workshops which frequently occur within the park.
There’s additionally a waterside amphitheater which frequently has exhibits within the evenings and there’s day by 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 army fortification to defend town, however has advanced right into a serene oasis stuffed with lush gardens, monuments, and inexperienced areas.
Take a look at the Battery City Farm, the place neighborhood 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 Conflict of 1812 and as soon as served as an immigration station.
Map Of These Finest Parks In NYC
That will help you plan your go to to those parks, here’s a map exhibiting you the placement of every place.
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