10 Best Parks in New York
Explore New York's Most Beautiful Outdoor Spaces
Looking for the best parks in New York? The Big Apple might be skyscraper central, but one of its biggest charms is how well the greenery is dispersed throughout the boroughs. These New York parks are pictures of tranquillity, with some featuring iconic attractions you’re sure to recognize from popular movies and TV shows.
You’ll find a photo op in just about all of them, as incredible views of the city are always a stone’s throw away. Each park in New York offers its fair share of activities, such as music, theater, sports, and dining. In this sprawling concrete jungle, they offer a wonderful escape.
What are the best parks in New York?
1. Central Park
An iconic greenspace bursting with things to do
Good for: Adventure, Budget, Families
Central Park in New York needs no introduction, but you might not be aware of the great things you can see and do there. The landscaped beds at Conservatory Garden are well-tended and ever changing. Here, you’ll see beautiful flower arrangements and other local flora. You can ride a carousel that’s over a hundred years old, a beloved relic from Coney Island.
Check and see if there’s live music happening anywhere in Central Park—there’s bound to be a free show or two. Ride a gondola on the lake before catching a Shakespeare play in the evening. Whether you wander the paths or plan out a list, you can easily spend an entire week here. Read more
Open: Daily from 6 am to 1 am
Phone: +1 212-310-6600
Central Park
2. Bryant Park
A chill oasis in the middle of Manhattan
Good for: Budget, Food, Photo
Bryant Park is considered a main square in Manhattan and it’s definitely a hive of activity. This is your spot for seasonal events. In summer, lay out a blanket on the grass and watch a movie, go ice skating in the winter, and peruse the vendors in the Christmas Village at the end of the year.
Bryant Park’s French Market, which runs during the warm-weather months, introduces you to a gourmet world of olive oil and cheese. If you’re feeling hungry but don’t want to venture too far, choose any of the nearby restaurants that offer cozy outdoor seating like The Porch and Bryant Park Grill. Read more
Location: New York, NY 10018, USA
Open: Daily from 7 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 212-768-4242
Bryant Park
3. The Battery
Cinematic views of the New York Harbor
Good for: Budget, Food, Photo
The Battery in New York City is worth visiting for the views alone. This malecon on the Hudson River offers essential vistas of the water, as well as historic Ellis Island. If you want to enjoy glimpses of the Statue of Liberty with a fancy meal and a glass of wine, visit The View restaurant. It’ll be a lunch or dinner you never forget.
Kids will adore riding one of the magical fish on the famous SeaGlass Carousel while adults can visit the Bird Banners to learn more about the winged creatures that have made this park their home. Stroll the perennial gardens designed by renowned Dutch designer Piet Oudolf or cycle along the Battery Bikeway, a 31-mile stretch of panoramic waterfront. Read more
Location: New York, NY 10004, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to midnight
Phone: +1 212-344-3491
The Battery
4. The High Line
A relic of New York’s past made green
Good for: Food, Photo, Unusual
The High Line is an old freight railroad repurposed as a park-slash-walkway that’s more than a mile long. Taking in the skyscrapers from a new vantage point is enough of a draw, but you can also find art and architectural installations here (they make for great travel photographs).
If you’re lucky, you’ll catch an outdoor party or performance. Meanwhile, Tuesday nights offer stargazing events with high-tech telescopes! Enjoy a bite to eat or a refreshing drink from one of the High Line’s many food vendors. Beneath the walkway, discover a wealth of highly-rated restaurants like Pepe Tiallo (Italian) and Tia Pol (Spanish) Read more
Location: New York, NY 10011, USA
Open: Daily from 7 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 212-500-6035
The High Line
5. Brooklyn Bridge Park
Photograph the world-famous bridge
Good for: Budget, Families, Photo
Brooklyn Bridge Park is situated in the trendiest borough in NYC. It’s a hot spot for fitness—you’ll find beach volleyball, soccer, basketball, and even a roller rink there. As you stroll, take in breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Meanwhile, the food options nearby make picnicking a cinch.
Water babies flock here for panoramic kayaking, while nature enthusiasts enjoy bilingual family bird walks and art workshops inspired by local plant life (check the online schedule for the latest events). There are also several children’s playgrounds featuring enchanting equipment (try Sandbox Village and Swing Valley along scenic Pier 6). Read more
Location: Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 1 am
Brooklyn Bridge Park
6. Washington Square Park
Historic haven for the hip and the young
Good for: Budget, Nightlife, Photo
Washington Square Park is a trendy hangout in New York City. Greenwich Village has an undying reputation for attracting the young, mostly because of the freshman dormitories in the area. The unrelenting buzz of the park makes it feel like the center of the world. You absolutely must take a picture of the fountain and the arch.
Nearby, you can find loads of enticing food options like Joe’s Pizza and Molly’s Cupcakes, the latter which offers board games to while away the time. Also, check out the nearby Comedy Cellar to see a real-life landmark of entertainment history; past performers include Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld. Read more
Location: New York, NY 10012, United States
Open: Daily from 6 am to midnight
Washington Square Park
7. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
A park with a penchant for science
Good for: Families, Photo, Budget
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is a feast for the senses. It’s home to the New York Hall of Science, Queens Museum, and Queens Zoo. Families are drawn to this former World Fair site thanks to the educational/entertainment venues on offer, along with major landmark attractions like the famous steel Unisphere.
Don’t just exercise the mind. Go for a skate or a swim, row across the lake, or putt your way to glory at the 18-hole minigolf course. Finish things off with a pint or two at Mikkeller Brewing NYC, where they serve excellent craft beer and tasty local food.
Location: Queens, NY 11354, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 718-760-6565
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
8. Prospect Park
Central Park’s quieter sibling
Good for: Budget, History, Photo
Prospect Park reveals Brooklyn’s rural past while serving as an area of soothing landscaped greenery. It makes the city feel miles away and gives visitors much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle. Hike one of several trails spanning approximately a mile in length.
Bring your bike or running shoes to exercise in one of the most tranquil parts of the city, or swing by on a midsummer’s evening to catch live music performance or a movie under the stars. Make sure to snap a pic with the Camperdown Elm before you go (it’s a picturesque tree planted in 1872 that was saved from destruction by poet Marianne Moore).
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 1 am
Prospect Park
9. City Hall Park
Where you can feel the grandeur of New York City
Good for: Budget, History, Photo
City Hall Park is a gorgeous spot to sit a spell and admire the architecture of some of New York’s most beautiful buildings. The park is on the smaller side, but you’ll easily recognize unbeatable photo ops as soon as you stumble upon them. If you’re walking around Lower Manhattan, you can’t miss it. The park is distinguishable by its old-world fountain, modern metal sculptures, and enchanting lamps that look fresh out of a fairy tale.
You might get lucky and see a pair of newlyweds walking away from City Hall with their marriage license. All in all, you’re coming mainly for the views, but what breathtaking views they are!
Location: Broadway & Chambers St, New York, NY 10007, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to midnight
Phone: +1 212-639-9675
City Hall Park
10. Riverside Park
Multi-level park which skirts the mighty Hudson
Good for: Families, Photo, Budget
Riverside Park is just a short walk from Broadway, so it may surprise you that it feels tucked-away from the city. Many locals prefer walking through Riverside, as opposed to Central Park, as there are less crowds and views of the water. The peace and quiet here is unmatched and you’ll find your fair share of recognizable photo ops.
Walking along the Hudson River will number among your favorite moments in New York City. Be sure to check out historic Grant’s Tomb (the final resting place of 18th U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant), the bird sanctuary, and the Sakura Park with its flowering Japanese cherry trees.
Open: Daily from 6 am to 1 am
Riverside Park
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