We all know that New York City is the original concrete jungle – a bustling mass of towering skyscrapers, people-packed sidewalks, and crowded subways.
The sheer amount of people and the fast-paced atmosphere makes it all the more important to escape to green spaces, a quiet urban retreat nestled amongst the chaos.
If you’re in need of rest and relaxation, or need to get away from honking noises, the fear of yellow taxis mowing you down, the long queues in Starbucks and the frantic New Yorkers pushing and shoving onto the Subway, then you’ll want to make a note of these parks in NYC to escape the chaos.
Green spaces, gardens, and parks in New York City can be few and far between, making them especially coveted for residents and visitors alike – especially once the weather warms up.
So we’ve decided to create a list of the best parks in NYC to give you some places to respite to. This list is subjective and, as it’s based on personal experiences, not every park in NYC and its boroughs has been explored. This post focuses mainly on Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Whether you’re searching for the perfect picnic ground, space to run and play, or simply a grassy knoll away from the teeming masses, here are a few of my favorite NYC parks.
1. Central Park
Without a doubt, the most well-known park in NYC (if not the world) is Central Park. It takes up 778 acres in the heart of Manhattan: six percent of the total land area of the island!
There’s plenty to do in Central Park in all seasons: ice skating rinks and sledding in the winter, bike riding or roller skating and watching the magnolia trees blooming in the spring, having a picnic in Sheep Meadow in the summer, or just wandering around to enjoy the leaves changing color in Autumn.
Although Central Park New York is a favorite place for New Yorkers to walk their dogs or play in a softball league, there are plenty of iconic sites within the park as well which makes it a must-visit for travelers to NYC.
Have a drink at The Boathouse and watch the lovers row around the lake under Bow Bridge – or even rent a boat yourself.
You can splurge on dinner at Tavern on the Green, watch the kids (and adults) race model sailboats on the Conservatory Water, pop into the Metropolitan Museum of Art or see the view of Turtle Pond from Belvedere Castle.
Side Note: The farther north you go in the park, the fewer tourists you’ll see. It can also get a bit sketchy in the north of the park with homelessness, so it’s best to stay below the reservoir. The Ramble (a wooded area) and The North Woods are known to have some unsavoury characters hanging about.
2. Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village
Washington Square Park is right in the heart of West Village, and only a few steps from the shopping madness of SoHo.
The square is also lined with the NYU campus buildings, so it’s unsurprisingly filled with plenty of college kids.
Home to the most famous arch in the city – built to celebrate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration as president – there’s also a fountain that is filled with playing children during the summer months.
It’s a vibrant place with street artists and musicians busking – it’s a great place for people-watching
3. Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights and Inwood
It’s hard to believe you’re still on Manhattan when you’re in Fort Tryon Park as it starts at 190th Street.
Despite being further out, it holds the city’s largest public garden, overlooking the Hudson River with a view of the George Washington Bridge.
It’s big enough (and far enough away from the center of the city) that you can always find a quiet corner to yourself.
Fort Tryon Park is also home to the Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art that focuses on medieval art and is actually made up of ancient buildings that were transported from Europe and reconstructed on the site.
My favorite part of the Cloisters is the outdoor section; it has a herb garden with more than 250 species of plants that were grown during the Middle Ages.
4. Gramercy Park
Gramercy Park is arguably the most exclusive green space in New York City; you can only enter with one of 383 coveted keys to the park.
It’s been fenced since 1833 and locked since 1844, with keys only granted to parkside residents, club members and The Gramercy Park Hotel guests.
But even if you can’t wiggle your toes in the grass, it’s still a lovely and quiet tree-lined walk around the park.
5. Riverside Park, Upper West Side
I feel like Riverside Park is one of the best-kept secrets in NYC. It’s only a few blocks west of Central Park, but almost no tourists venture that way.
It stretches four miles (from 72nd to 158th streets) along the Hudson River, with a wide space to walk or bike that is completely lined with gorgeous towering elm trees.
There are a few select gardens, historical monuments (the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ is likely the most well-known), playgrounds and a skate park.
6. Tompkins Square Park, East Village
Located in the East Village, Tompkins Square Park is reflective of the eclectic, sometimes-grungy, sometimes-hipster neighborhood that surrounds it.
On a sunny day, the limited grass area is packed with sunbathers and picnickers sipping champagne out of red plastic cups.
It’s not a huge park, but there’s a dog run, playground, plenty of benches and picnic tables, and often community events.
Fun fact: it’s also home to the original Hare Krishna tree, although you’re more likely to see adherents of the religion in Union Square today.
7. Prospect Park, Brooklyn
If you cross the bridge into Brooklyn, this is the best Brooklyn park! What I love most about Prospect Park is that there aren’t very many tourists (not that New Yorkers don’t love you!).
It was designed by the same person who developed Central Park (Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux), so there are a ton of similarities, but it’s full of locals!
The Long Meadow and Nethermead are the perfect lawns to unroll a picnic blanket on, and there’s a woodland area known as the Ravine where you can escape to a forested area and trade skyline views for views of towering trees.
It’s not quite as classically beautiful or as well-maintained, but it’s huge and green and full of wide open spaces.
If you’re looking for activity, try a bike ride around the loop (you can rent a CitiBike near Barclay Center) or a paddle boat around the lake or have a coffee at the Picnic House.
It’s also worth checking out the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which is located right down the street. It’s especially resplendent during cherry blossom season, but there’s something blooming year-round.
Don’t miss a chance to explore Prospect Park Zoo if you have kids!
8. Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park is the most famous park in Brooklyn, nestled along the East River waterfront.
Spanning 85 acres, this former industrial site was renovated into an expansive public park and was officially opened in 2010.
Since then it has been a regular recreation space for families with kids wanting to play on its impressive playground, as well as travelers wanting to capture iconic views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.
It has beautifully landscaped gardens and sports facilities, such as basketball courts and soccer fields, and there are also regular art installations and seasonal events on the lawns, such as outdoor movies and concerts in the summer.
Read more: Unique Ways To Enjoy A New York City Summer!
9. Bryant Park, Midtown
One of the smaller but still popular New York City’s parks is Bryant Park in Midtown, known as the home of the New York Public Library.
It’s location right in the heart of Manhattan makes it a true urban oasis where you can unwind on the grass but still feel and hear the beat of NYC around you.
It was established in the 1840s as a potter’s field and later transformed into a public park, where today it serves as a vibrant hub for New Yorkers to enjoy some respite in the middle of the city.
It’s known for its charming seasonal gardens and events throughout the year. Our favorite are the movie nights in the summer!
In the winter, the park turns into a winter village complete with ice skating and stalls.
10. Little Island Park, part of Hudson River Park
Another waterfront park that’s worth checking out is the uniquely designed Little Island Park, which is an extension off Hudson River Park via Pier 54.
Hudson River Park acturally runs from Chambers Street to 59th Street, but the area around West Village is our favorite as it’s within walking distance of Chelsea Market and the High Line – which is 5 minutes walk from Little Island Park.
This quirky park opened in 2021 and is known for its striking stilt design. It was built by Barry Diller of the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, in partnership with Hudson River Park Trust, after much needed renovation was needed on one of the piers after Hurricane Sandy.
As you walk up and down layers of the park, you can enjoy the faint aromas from the flower beds in the constantly changing gardens, sit on grassy areas and enjoy views overlooking Jersey City in New Jersey – another impressive skyline in NYC, or take your kids to creative workshops which often happen in the park.
There’s also a waterside amphitheater which often has shows in the evenings and there’s daily yoga on the lawn.
11. Battery Park
Battery Park, located at the southern tip of Manhattan, is a historic waterfront park with views of the New York harbor, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in the distance.
It was originally established in the 17th century as a military fortification to defend the city, but has evolved into a serene oasis filled with lush gardens, monuments, and green spaces.
Check out the Battery Urban Farm, where community gardening initiatives flourish, or just stroll along the promenade and take in the views.
Don’t miss the SeaGlass Carousel, a unique carousel inspired by the ocean, and the historic Castle Clinton, which dates back to the War of 1812 and once served as an immigration station.
Map Of These Best Parks In NYC
To help you plan your visit to these parks, here is a map showing you the location of each place.
More NYC Travel Tips
Need more inspiration about visiting NYC? Here are some other posts to check out:
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- Best New York accommodation options – budget to luxury
- Places to Eat in NYC for iconic New York food
- The Best NYC Food Tours For Foodie Travelers
- Free (Or Cheap) things to do in NYC with Kids
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- Most Romantic Things to Do in NYC For Date Night
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- Coffee shops in NYC the locals love
- 3 Day Itinerary for New York City
- How to save money and maximize time on a NYC trip
- Girly Things to Do In NYC For A Girl’s Weekend!
- How a Visit to The One World Observatory, 9/11 Memorial and Museum Gave Me Hope
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Can you recommend any parks in NYC? Share in the comments below!
Thank you very much for gathering all the green spaces of this bustling city in one page. 🙂
Mostly we head towards Riverside Park because of its elegant river front and is a best place to enjoy coffee with fresh cookies.
Coffee and cookies sound good to me Marla. Have you been to these other parks in NYC?
Alas no because we stayed in NYC for a couple of weeks and didn’t have much time to go there.
What happened to Riverbank State park
Nice list, but you’ve left off one of my favorites – Battery Park. As you probably already know, it’s pretty big, takes you by the water, and offers up nice views of the Statue of Liberty. Back when I lived in the city, it was my go-to spot for taking out of town guests to show them the prime views of the Statue of Liberty. I’d also add the Highline as a must-do for visitors 🙂
Thanks for the suggestions on other parks in NYC Shawna! I want to walk the Highline one day!
Thanks for sharing this list. Green space in NYC is so important! I would also recommend these: the High Line, for fantastic views, modern and older architecture and a fresh take on what a park can be and how spaces can be re-used; Madison Square Park for a peaceful place to sit and read, eat or drink a cup of tea, as well as fantastic art installations; and if you’re willing to go to Queens :), go to the Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria. They have great art and beautiful views of Manhattan across the East River. Afterward, you can stop in one of the many great restaurants in Astoria–Greek, Italian, Colombian, Egyptian and more. Oh–one more–I used to eat lunch every day at Bryant Park. It’s a beautiful park with (to my eye) a European style of landscape and design. They also have a lot of interesting events happening there day and night. Enjoy!
Hi Bridget. Thanks so much for adding your insights about parks in NYC. Those sound like great parks too. I hear you on the need for green space!
Wow, Prospect Park looks soooo colorful! A treat to the eyes!
Spent a year in NYC and Riverside was my favourite park! Wonderful to see some water views and cycling along the path while the autumn leaves rustled out of the way was magic! Great post!
I’ve been living in NY for almost a decade now and Battery Park is my favourite. It’s actually my go-to spot for taking out of town guests to show them the prime views of the Statue of Liberty.
You left out Carl Schultz Park at 86 and east end ave
Yes. Impossible to visit and include all parks so thank you for leaving your suggestions.
“Hello “What about Van Cortland Park?Are you afraid of the Bronx? Born and raised in NY. 74 years old. Been to all of the parks and you only choose the ones where you want tourists to go?
Thank you for sharing your favorite. The writer is sharing from her experiences so she may not have had the opportunity to visit this park. Please understand this. It’s not a deliberate oversight. IT’s why we always welcome comments with suggestions as it’s impossible for any person to visit every park. And as it is a travel website with readers who will mostly come to NYC for 1-3 days, we will always write content that will be reasonable to what they can do in that short time, knowing that they will spend most of their time in Manhattan or Brooklyn
I agree Van Cortlandt is one of New York’s great parks It has a historic house, lots of history and The first public golf course in the United States.
I’m looking forward to visiting this NYC park on my next visit. Thanks for sharing
Forest Park plus several other very large parks in Queens ignored.
Yes. This is mostly focused on Manhattan and is written for travelers who typically would only go to Manhattan or maybe Brooklyn.