The parks of New York offer you a great addition to your sightseeing itinerary, with loads to see and do. Whether you want to stay fit, eat food, people watch, or go for a stroll, the parks in this great city cater for the masses.
Parks of New York
The parks of New York are the lungs of this famous city, offering a great place to get some fresh air. With locals and tourists flocking to them throughout the year, you’ll find them the perfect place to visit for sports, relaxation, or just to escape the busy streets.
Central Park
We’ll start off with one of the most well-known parks of New York, and the world, Central Park. It’s hard not to love this urban oasis, which occupies more than 840 acres of land. Located between the Upper West and Upper East sides of Manhattan, it’s easy to find when you’re strolling through the city. With so much to do within the park, you can spend a whole day just enjoying the different activities.
If you’re visiting during the summer, there’s no better place for a romantic picnic than a quiet, shaded spot in the park. If you’re travelling with your family, take a rowing boat out on the lake around Bow Bridge. During winter, you’ve got to check out the Wollman Rink, where you can go ice skating with the iconic New York skyline in the background. The best thing about Central Park is that it’s great all year round, so you can incorporate it into your plans whenever you visit.
Bryant Park
Another of the well-known and iconic parks of New York is Bryant Park, tucked away between towering skyscrapers. Located in the heart of Manhattan behind the Public Library, it’s easy to find this great park. At just under 10 acres in size, it’s a small but very popular green space in the city. The park is often full of local workers enjoying some well-earned fresh air during lunch hours throughout the year.
During the summer months, you can go to Bryant Park and enjoy free movies hosted on the grass. You can also grab a book from the library and read it under one of the trees to relax for the afternoon. There’s still loads to do for those visiting in the winter months, including a free admission ice rink and their famous Christmas markets. There are also loads of food and drink shops, so it’s good to spend a few hours there to really experience the park.
Hudson River Park
Located between Battery Park and 59th Street, Hudson River Park is a lively green retreat that spans more than 550 acres. Hugging the iconic Hudson River, you can enjoy spectacular views of the water. The perfect place to go for peace and quiet, you can relax on one of the many benches dotted along the walkways while watching the world go by. Close to the popular neighbourhood of Tribeca, you’ll find food and drink easy to come by.
The park offers a great place for fitness fanatics to enjoy a run, or if you’re feeling a little less energetic, you can grab a picnic blanket and stretch out on the grass. At the same time, if you want to get your heart pumping, check out the trapeze school, which provides great views of the Hudson River. If you’re visiting during winter, one of the best activities is to take a stroll along the park’s piers whilst viewing the range of public art on display. Nature lovers will also love this park of New York, home to over 100 species of bird, including common goldeneyes and canvasbacks.
Union Square
The next park of New York that we recommend is Union Square, a nine-acre space that gets extremely busy during the summer months. As popular with office workers as it is with street artists, this park is the perfect place to visit if you want to enjoy watching the daily life of locals. With an incredible array of food and drink establishments close by, you should grab yourself a refreshment and take a seat on one of the many benches. Located between 14th Street and 17th Street, it’s just a few streets south of the iconic Flatiron Building.
Throughout the year, you’ll be able to enjoy the busy green market too, where you can buy a range of local produce and original artwork. There is also a digital clock art installation in the park, which counts down the time until the earth’s carbon budget runs out. The clock is a stark reminder of the impact of human activity on the world. This park is probably more attractive for visitors during the summer months as you can enjoy the surroundings more comfortably.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park is another one of our favourite parks of New York and is extremely popular with locals. With the park stretching over 85 acres, there’s plenty of space to enjoy this iconic green area. Located on the Brooklyn side of the East River, this was once the immigration terminal for visitors arriving by boat. Now a world-famous park, it’s the ideal place to come with your partner if you want a romantic evening watching the sunset.
This park is excellent for active visitors, with a range of sports happening, including roller skating, football, basketball and bouldering. It’s also the perfect place to go cycling with your family as there is lots of space for cyclists of all levels. Alternatively, you can take to the water in a kayak and get a different viewpoint of the Big Apple. There are also plenty of activities during the winter months, with the annual Brooklyn Bridge Park Winter Games taking place, which offers a range of family activities like dancing.
Prospect Park
Designed by the same architects as Central Park, Frederick Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, this park of New York should not be overlooked. Offering over 550 acres of green space, you’ll find this city oasis between Park Slopes and Prospect Heights neighbourhoods in Brooklyn. Prospect Park is a great alternative to Central Park if you’re looking for a retreat from the crowds. With a selection of activities to do in the park, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon or two.
If you’re into sport, it’s an ideal place for a run, a game of tennis, or a football match. If you fancy a chilled day, you can use one of the park’s barbecue pits to cook up a storm. For families with kids, you should head to the Prospect Park Zoo, where your children can learn about a variety of animals. This park tends to be better to visit during the summer months as sports aren’t allowed on the grass until spring.
The High Line
Last but certainly not least on our parks of New York list is The High Line, which is one of the most unique parks in the city. Built on the tracks once used by freight trains, it stretches for 1.5 miles on the west side of Manhattan. A great park to visit throughout the year, you’ll enjoy elevated views of New York no matter which season you visit. Of course, there are also lots of activities on the old train tracks, but without a doubt, one of the best things you can do is enjoy a good old-fashioned walk.
You can enjoy a free walking tour on The High Line, taking you through the area’s history. Alternatively, there is a variety of open-air art installations you can enjoy. For nature lovers, you can take in the wide range of plants and insects that now call this once-derelict train track home. Whatever you decide to do, this is a park that is sure to stick in your memory.
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