Ask any New Yorker how they stay sane while living in the concrete jungle and they will inevitably start listing a handful of the best parks in New York City. Lucky for us, there’s plenty to choose from. Living here, I visit a New York City park almost every day – call it eco-therapy.
NYC takes public recreation very seriously and the proof is in the pudding. There are more than 1,700 public spaces in New York City. Without further ado, allow me to share my personal list of the best parks in New York City for people watching, picnics, panoramic skyline views, and more.
The Best Parks in New York City
(Click for a Table of Contents)
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +2 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
1. Central Park
We can’t talk about the best parks in New York City without mentioning the masterpiece that is Central Park. There’s a reason it’s on everyone’s must-see list when visiting New York City.
Central park is the most beautiful park in New York City (maybe the world?). How do I know? It’s the most filmed location on the planet (has #2 beat by a mile!). It’s also one of the first man-made parks in the country– designed using a new concept for the time called landscape architecture.
Spanning more than 840 healthy acres, Central Park is an architectural feat that few can resist falling in love with. If you’d like some guidance during your first visit to Central Park, I suggest reading my guide: 15 Iconic Things to Do in Central Park.
Website: Central Park
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2. Bryant Park
Bryant Park is perfectly tucked into the shadow of towering office buildings that make up the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Located right behind the stunning New York Public Library (one of the New York’s most famous buildings), it’s not uncommon to find all the chairs and benches full during sunny days.
During the busy lunch hour this park swells with folks who work in the surrounding office buildings as well as folks looking to try and escape the hubbub from Times Square just a few blocks away. This park feels very European with a large tree canopy, tables with umbrellas, cafes, a vintage carousel, and a charming winter market. And while winter is nice, my favorite season to visit Bryant Park is summer because of the free movies hosted on the lawn.
You’ll also notice library carts full of books, park visitors are encouraged to grab a novel and read under the shady trees at their leisure. There’s a friendly librarian on hand that keeps track of the books to ensure they don’t get swept up.
Website: Bryant Park
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3. The High Line
The High Line is one of the most unique parks in New York City. This history of this popular NYC park is actually quite interesting. The elevated track on which the park is built was once the exclusive domain of freight trains delivering cargo via the “West Side Elevated Line” to the city. Eventually trucking became more economical than trains and by the early 80s the track was no longer used.
For decades, the line went abandoned becoming a blight on the neighborhood until Mayor Bloomberg approved a plan to transform the derelict train tracks into a public park. The High Line opened in 2009 and became an instant success.
The elevated promenade stretches 1.5 miles and receives an average of 8 million visitors annually. It’s always on my list of the best parks in New York City to take out of town guests because it never fails to be a highlight for them. Anyone who appreciates urban design can’t help but appreciate the way the park weaves through the skyline adding a refreshing dash of green to the palette.
The High Line is a great park in New York City for kids, too! During the warm summer months there’s a handful of vendors selling balloon animals and ice cream.
Website: The High Line
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4. Prospect Park
Prospect Park was designed by Frederick Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the architects responsible for designing Central Park. Some folks refer to it as “Brookyln’s Central Park” and prefer it including Olmstead himself.
Covering 526 acres (compared to Central Park’s 842 acres), this park is massive and features more of the natural, like curves and contours instead of abiding by the rigid grid system of Manhattan’s Central Park. Some of my favorite spots are Long Meadow (spanning 90-acres), Prospect Park Zoo, the charming Boathouse, Picnic House, and Concert Grove.
If you’re visiting during the summer, be sure to check out the list of free concerts hosted at the Prospect Park Bandshell and if you’re visiting in spring be sure to see the cherry blossoms. Another reason this is considered one of the best parks in New York City is that locals tend to outnumber tourists, so the vibe is more relaxed.
Website: Prospect Park
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5. Washington Square Park
Located in the heart of the charming Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park is one of the most iconic parks in New York City. The most recognizable feature in the park is the monolithic marble arch that sits at the northern entrance built to commemorate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration.
This place is always happening and the lively atmosphere makes Washington Square Park one of the best parks in NYC for people-watching. Walking through you’re always bound to find an interesting array of street performers, artists, and miscellaneous social activities from the NYU students that hang out here.
Make an effort to see Washington Square Park during the spring season for the beautiful blooms. There’s an undeniable cheery buzz in the air as both locals and tourists eagerly flock outdoors after the dreary winter months.
Quick history lesson: During the late 18th century, this area was a burial ground for indigent victims of illness and disease. As the property slowly morphed into Washington Square Park, the site became the epicenter of many movements and protests. As such, Washington Square Park is one of the more historic parks in New York City.
Website: Washington Square Park
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Top 10 Best Parks in New York City
6. Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sitting under the shadow of NYC’s most famous bridge, Brooklyn Bridge Park is a beautiful 85-acre waterfront park that stretches 1.3 miles along the East River. Irresistible views of the Manhattan Skyline take center stage as happy couples pepper the lawn with picnic blankets and pizza boxes in tow.
The park has a few attractions like playgrounds, sports fields, gardens and a scenic promenade. It’s very popular in the summer months when the park hosts outdoor movies. I always make sure to bring out-of-town guests here, especially as sunset. Nobody is immune from the magical feeling of seeing the skyline light up for the night.
This is perhaps the best park in New York City for skyline views as it faces the iconic towering buildings of lower Manhattan (some of the tallest in NYC).
Website: Brooklyn Bridge Park
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7. Riverside Park
Situated along the Hudson River in the Upper West Side, Riverside Park is often considered Manhattan’s most scenic waterfront park and I can’t say I disagree. I currently live on the Upper West Side and start most mornings with a walk. I tend to split my time between Central Park and Riverside Park, opting for Riverside Park when tourist season is in full swing and Central Park feels crowded.
Stretching from west 59th Street to 181st Street, the park spans 400 acres. It’s full of healthy trees that offer ample shade, plenty of park benches, and even has some charming gardens to explore (like the famous garden shot at the end of You’ve Got Mail).
Riverside Park is also one of the best parks in New York City to explore with kids as there are epic playgrounds galore. You can’t go very far without running into a new exciting
Website: Riverside Park
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8. Union Square Park
Originally designed as a town square in 1839, Union Square Park serves as a hub for street artists, professionals on lunch breaks, busy students, and eager tourists. On Mondays & Saturdays the park hosts a farmers market (they call this a “greenmarket”) with all sorts of fresh grub that locals love.
While there’s plenty of cafes and affordable restaurants surrounding the park, whenever I visit with out-of-town guests I end up grabbing food from the nearby Whole Foods. Grab a meal to go and enjoy it on a park bench. But fair warning, on any given sunny day, you can expect every bench at this beloved New York City park to be full.
Also worth noting, similar to Washington Square Park, if there’s something big going on in the news, expect it to be represented at Union Square Park via a celebration, protest, or anything in between.
Website: Union Square Park
Good to Know: Union Square Park has a year-round greenmarket.
Wait, what’s with the digital clock at Union Square Park?
Okay, so you might notice a large digital clock on the side of a building on the south end of the park. The clock is actually a commissioned art instillation called “Metronome.” It was installed in 1991 and simply showed the time (functioning like a regular clock). However, since 2020, the theme of the art instillation has changed.
In 2020, the Metronome started changed the clock to display the “time remaining until the earth’s carbon budget expires due to global warming.”
9. Hudson River Park
Where once there was derelict piers, mostly empty parking lots, and a sprawling asphalt wasteland, now lies one of the best parks in New York City. Hudson River Park is a sight to behold, especially considering what came before it.
Where Battery Park ends on the south, Hudson River Park begins and stretches all the way to 59th Street connecting with Riverside Park. Spanning 550 acres along four glorious miles of the Hudson River, this is another one of the best New York City Parks for amazing waterfront views.
Wide, well-maintained paved paths stretch the length of the park making for the most popular running and biking route on the west side of Manhattan. The piers have now been converted into beautiful green spaces with recreational fields, driving ranges, bars, restaurants, and a plethora of playgrounds.
Little Island Park (within Hudson River Park)
Even though it’s technically within Hudson River Park, Little Island Park is worth mentioning in and of its own right. Opening to the public in 2021, Little Island has rapidly become one of the most popular parks in New York City.
The designers of the park (Heatherwick Studio) drew upon the old wooden pilings of Pier 54 (which was demolished to make way for Little Island) and used concrete piles (resembling a collection of golf tees if you ask me) to create the foundation for this most innovative park.
I love coming here to relax, admire the park’s maturing greenery, enjoy the food & drink vendors, soak in the views (of midtown and lower Manhattan), and enjoy sporadic live music events.
Website: Hudson River Park
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10. The Battery (Battery Park)
If you’re looking for the best parks in New York City to take history buffs, you can’t do much better than Battery Park. The site has a history older than the country itself. In fact, it was likely here that the native Lenape were swindled by Dutch West India Company to “sell” the island of Manahattan (then, “Manahatta”).
The Battery was occupied by the British during the Revolutionary War, was frequented for by President George Washington during his time in office, and even served as the site of America’s first immigration center as “Castle Garden” (the precursor to Ellis Island). In fact, more than 100 million Americans can trace their ancestral roots through Castle Garden.
Today the park serves as a breath of fresh air amongst the giant skyscrapers of lower Manhattan and as a gateway to the Statue of Liberty. Visiting you’ll find groves of trees, beautiful blooms, food vendors, playgrounds for kids, Castle Clinton National Monument, and some of the best views of Lady Liberty.
Website: Battery Park
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Extra Time? More of the Best New York City Parks to Visit
The New York City parks mentioned above are some of the best in the city. But if you have more time (and are willing to travel off the beaten path) here’s a few more parks I recommend.
11. Governors Island
Governors Island is a 172-acre island accessible by ferry from Manhattan. Home to unique attractions like historic forts, art installations, and some of the best views of Manhattan (and the Statue of Liberty), the park is popular with locals during the summer.
Full of grassy spaces and an active promenade, this is the place to go if you’re looking for some solitude without straying too far from NYC’s comforting skyline. Each year we reserve a grill and do a cookout with friends on the island’s southern tip.
12. Inwood Hill Park
If you’re looking to spot a bald eagle in New York City, Inwood Hill Park is the spot for you. Inwood Hill Park is special for many reasons, one of which is it’s Manhattan’s last natural forest and salt marsh. Spanning 196 acres, this park offers a glimpse into the island’s pre-urban landscape with its thick deciduous forest and trails.
The park, which was acquired for public use in 1916, preserves a vital piece of the city’s natural history and offers some of the best views of the famous George Washington Bridge. You’ll also find popular recreational fields including baseball and soccer here.
13. McCarren Park
Bordering trendy Williamsburg and Greenpoint, McCarren Park is very popular with Brooklyn locals because of the easy-going vibe and ample green space (35 glorious acres).
In terms of the best parks in New York City, this one checks all the right boxes: public pool, running track, dog parks, tennis courts, soccer fields, and grassy fields for picnic blankets. Expect to find a plethora of recreational activities in addition to peaceful respite.
14. Domino Park
Williamsburg’s playground is iconic for its retired teal container cranes and epic sunset views overlooking Manhattan. Domino Park is the spot to be on a weekend night as the whole neighborhood (and beyond) turns out to relax and soak in some time next to the water.
Spanning a quarter of a mile of prime East River waterfront, this five acre park is complete with green spaces, elevated walkways, children’s playgrounds, fenced-in dog runs, and the delicious Tacocina. The name comes from the former Domino Sugar refinery that has since been repurposed as a modern office building.
15. Fort Greene Park
Fort Greene Park has an interesting claim to fame: it’s officially the first park in Brooklyn. Much like some of the other parks mentioned on this list, Fort Greene was designed by Olmstead and Vaux, so you can bet it’s a good one.
Fun fact: This exact area was once used to house forts during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. When the threat of war subsided after the War of 1812, the land was used as a public green space. It was officially designated a park in 1847 under the name Washington Park, before being renamed in 1897. The rest, as they say, is history.
16. Van Cortlandt Park
Located in the Bronx, Van Cortlandt Park is one of the largest parks in New York City (spanning 1,200 acres!). The distance from the center of Manhattan ensures a proper escape into solitude, something that cannot be overstated while living in New York City.
My favorite part about the NYC park is that it feels more natural and less manicured. Home to tons of playing fields and a plethora of playgrounds, this is a great family friendly park.
FAQ – Best Parks in New York City
(FAQ: Parks in NYC)
Contrary to popular belief, the largest park in NYC is Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx (not Central Park). In fact, Central Park is 5th largest park in NYC (not even in the top 4!).
If you’re looking to spend the day people-watching, make your way to Washington Square Park. The mish-mash of characters is hard to beat!
NYC is home to nearly 2,000 parks (1,942 parks, to be exact). The city boasts about 28,000 acres of municipal parkland, including major parks like Central Park, Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and Forest Park.
Summary of the Best Parks in New York City
In sum, these are the best parks in New York City:
- Central Park
- Bryant Park
- Prospect Park
- The High Line
- Riverside Park
- Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Washington Square Park
- Union Square Park
- Hudson River Park
- Battery Park
- Governor’s Island
- Innwood Park
- McCarren Park
- Domino Park
- Fort Greene Park
- Van Cortlandt Park
Map of the Best New York City Parks
And there you have it my friends – a quick roundup of the best parks in New York City. I hope you enjoyed the post!
Cheers!
As we read this article, the city has decided and are destroying a viable East River Drive Park to rebuild it for the sake of resiliency instead of building in a fully mature resilient park that survived Super Storm Sandy.
Hey Curtis, where can people get more info on this? Thanks!
Hey! You missed the best one!
Inwood Hill park, where you can feel that you wandered into Canada.
Spectacular views of the Hudson river, spectacular bird watching (if you like that), strenuous hikes with serious inclines and corresponding great views.
Leave a trail of bread crumbs to get back out. You won;t believe that you are in the city.
@Andy Hall, as a local, I agree! I visited for the first time this past weekend (finally make the trek to see the Met Cloisters) had no idea the park was so beautiful. Totally agree that you won’t believe you’re still in the city, it’s great!
I’ve lived in NYC for 7 years, love the parks you mentioned on your list but am bummed that Tompkins Square Park wasn’t listed, it’s the best park in the city for people watching! Plus it’s so close to Tompkins Square Bagels (my favorite bagels in New York). You should add it to the list!
Hey Klara, I think this list needs a little update! I’ve been exploring the East Village a lot more these days and agree with you about Tompkins Square Park. I’ll make some changes based on your feedback and my personal experience with the park lately. And YES! to Tompkins Square Bagels, I love that place too!
Cheers to you!
Antonina