Amidst the towering skyscrapers, bustling subways, and endless crowds of New York City, seeking refuge on the busy streets may appear difficult. However, despite the concrete jungle and perpetual commotion, there are numerous lush green spaces where tired travellers and urban residents can find peaceful solace.
Here's our guide to the top 10 parks in New York City.
No. 10 - Flushing Meadows Corona Park
This 1225-acre park in Central Queens is a must-see attraction, originally built for the 1939 World's Fair. The park is highlighted by the world-renowned stainless-steel Unisphere, which stands at a towering height of 120ft and weighs an impressive 380 tons. Across from the Unisphere, visitors can explore the Queens Museum, housed in the former New York City Building.
Towards the park's southern end, visitors will find the three weather-worn New York State Pavilion Towers, dating back to the Cold War era and originally part of the New York State Pavilion for the 1964 World's Fair. You may recognize them as the alien spaceships from the film Men in Black. For those entering the park from the north via the 7 train, don't miss the chance to view the breathtaking 1964 World's Fair mosaics by the iconic artists Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol.
No. 9 - Riverside Park
This scenic spot on the Upper West Side, stretching from W 59th to 155th Sts along the Hudson River, was created by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the designers of Central Park. With its abundant foliage and proximity to the water, it is a timeless beauty. Families love it for its bike paths, playgrounds, and dog runs. The park also offers stunning views of the picturesque Jersey side of the Hudson.
No. 8 - Bryant Park
This leafy haven in Midtown Manhattan, nestled behind the elegant New York Public Library building, offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Despite its past as a dangerous place known as “Needle Park” in the 1970s, the park is now a vibrant community space featuring European-style coffee kiosks, outdoor chess games, and seasonal activities like summer film screenings and winter ice skating.
Visitors can take advantage of a variety of daily activities, including beginner language classes, yoga, juggling, or painting, as well as guided birding tours. The park's French-inspired attraction, Le Carrousel, offers rides, while the Bryant Park Summer Film Festival attracts crowds with post-work picnics featuring cheese and wine.
No. 7 - Battery Park
This 12-acre green space situated along the southern perimeter of Manhattan beckons with its public art installations, winding paths, and timeless gardens. Notable memorials pay homage to the fallen soldiers of the Korean War and the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano. As the site of the first Dutch settlement on Manhattan Island in 1625, and later the location of the city's inaugural battery for defence, this park boasts a rich historical legacy.
Additional attractions within the park include the charming SeaGlass Carousel, the historic Castle Clinton, and ferry service to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
No. 6 - Washington Square Park
This once-used potter's field and site for public executions now serves as the unofficial gathering place for Greenwich Village. It attracts lounging NYU students, tuba-playing street performers, sociable canines, daring squirrels, speed chess players, and children who cool off in the fountain on warm days.
The park's layout has remained virtually unchanged since the 1800s, as locals have resisted attempts to alter it. Flanked by Greek Revival townhouses and a mix of modern architecture, Washington Square Park is a delightful green space. Visitors are welcomed by the iconic memorial arch on the north side of the park. Standing at a towering height of 73ft, the arch was conceived by architect Stanford White and constructed with polished white Tuckahoe marble. Known as the Washington Square Arch, as it commemorates the centennial of George Washington's 1789 inauguration as President of the United States, the arch certainly commands attention and dominates the park.
No. 5 - Hudson River Park
While the High Line has gained much popularity in recent times, there is a recreational space located just a block away from this famous elevated park that has transformed the city over the past decade. Hudson River Park covers 550 acres, with 400 of them being on the water, and stretches for five miles from Battery Park in Manhattan's southern tip to Midtown's 59th St. This wondrous backyard of Manhattan offers a long riverside path that is ideal for cycling, running, and strolling.
For the more experienced, several boathouses, including one near W 26th St in Chelsea and another near Houston St in the West Village, offer kayak rentals and longer excursions. The park also features beach volleyball, basketball courts, a skate park, and tennis courts. Families with children have plenty of options to choose from, including four playgrounds, a carousel (located off W 22nd St), mini-golf, and grassy piers for the little ones to run around and have fun.
No. 4 - High Line
It's difficult to fathom that the High Line, spanning 1.5 miles, was once a dilapidated freight line, surrounded by slaughterhouses in the district. However, today, it stands as a brilliant example of urban renewal, drawing visitors to take a leisurely stroll, sit, and enjoy a picnic while being 30ft above the city, providing stunning views of Manhattan's evolving urban landscape. It curves around Hudson Yards and concludes at 34th St., making it one of the most beloved green spaces in New York.
No. 3 - Prospect Park
Prospect Park, Brooklyn's premier green space, stands out among the borough's many historic and scenic parks. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also created Central Park, this 585-acre park is even more impressive. As you wander through it, you'll be awestruck by its tree-lined paths and ornamental bridges.
This man-made oasis, which opened in 1867, boasts a large meadow to the west, where you can spot dog walkers, sports enthusiasts, or people grilling depending on the time of year. On the east side, there's a boathouse by a vast lake, nestled amidst hilly woodlands. The neoclassical arches, sculptures, and columns that adorn the major entrances were added later.
No. 2 - Brooklyn Bridge Park
This beloved attraction covers 85 acres and is among the top picks for Brooklyn visitors. It curves around a 1.3-mile bend on the East River, extending from Dumbo, just beyond the Manhattan Bridge, to the west end of Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn Heights.
Once an empty stretch of shoreline with deserted piers, it has now transformed into an elegantly landscaped park with stunning views of Manhattan. The park offers a wealth of attractions, including numerous playgrounds, walking paths, and expansive grassy areas.
No. 1 - Central Park
Spanning 843 acres of lush rolling meadows, rocky outcroppings adorned with boulders, paths lined with elegant elm trees, and beautifully manicured European-style gardens, Central Park stands as one of the most renowned green spaces on the planet. It also features a lake, a reservoir, an outdoor theatre, a John Lennon memorial, the Loeb Boathouse eatery, and the iconic Alice in Wonderland statue. Visitors can enjoy the 15-acre Sheep Meadow for lounging and playing, explore the Central Park Zoo, or wander through the forest-like paths of the Ramble.
Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed the park in the 1860s and 70s on the marshy northern edge of the city, creating a leisure space for all New Yorkers regardless of race, class, or religion. The park provides an escape from the city's chaos, offering lush lawns, serene forests, blooming gardens, tranquil bodies of water, and meandering wooded paths for those seeking a dose of nature in the bustling city.
Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoyed our guide to the best parks in New York City. We'd love to hear your feedback in the comments and do let us know your favourite parks to visit in New York City.
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