New York has a large number of parks that provide an escape from city life as well as prime spots for outdoor gatherings. Whether you’re looking for a spot to walk your dog, have a picnic, or simply soak up the sunshine, we’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite NYC parks.
Astoria Park
Astoria Park is one of Queens’ biggest green spaces, featuring a swimming pool, tennis courts, a track, playgrounds, and more. You’ll also find a bandstand and spectacular views of Hell Gate and RFK bridges. This quaint borough treasure is a favorite of families for picnicking, biking or just enjoying the view. It’s also a hot spot for live music and a popular spot for fireworks on the Fourth of July. It’s also home to several breweries, including Single Cut Beer smiths. You can grab a pint of your favorite local brews at their taproom or stock up on home-brewing supplies. Astoria Park’s facilities were upgraded several years ago, making it a safer, more enjoyable place for kids and families to play. It now features new multipurpose space for sports, updated playground structures, renovated handball courts, and an upgraded spray shower.
Van Cortlandt Park
New York City’s third-largest park, Van Cortlandt Park combines wide-open spaces with a wealth of amenities. It’s got golf courses, playgrounds, a lake, hiking trails, and more. It’s also home to a museum, a historic Van Cortlandt House, and the Van Cortlandt Nature Center. The latter is the only city nature center that focuses on the protection and preservation of urban forests. The park’s Northeast Forest area is one of the most popular birding spots in New York, attracting an exceptional number of migrant songbirds. In spring, you can see Chimney Swift, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and woodpeckers such as Hairy Woodpecker. The park’s hiking trails are maintained year-round by the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, which focuses on forest restoration and aquatic conservation. The association works with interns, volunteers, and staff to keep the trails passable for daily walkers, hikers, and runners.
Riverside Park
Located on the West Side of Manhattan, Riverside Park is a wide area of green that sits on the shores of the Hudson River. It offers several amenities that make it one of the city’s best-kept secrets. A park is a great place for families and visitors to enjoy outdoor activities. It also boasts several playgrounds that are great for kids of all ages. This 330-acre park is located between 59th and 158th streets along the Hudson River. The original plan for the park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who envisioned a tree-lined promenade along the waterfront. In addition to the scenic promenade, there are also 15 playgrounds for kids of all ages. There are hippo structures, swings, and other fun features.
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Washington Square Park
A popular green space in the heart of New York City’s Greenwich Village neighborhood, Washington Square Park is a major center of community activity. Surrounded by the New York University (NYU) campus, the park is a great place to watch street performers like jugglers, musicians, and acrobats. It has a variety of amenities, including playgrounds and other features. The park’s main attraction is the Washington Arch, a landmark erected in 1889 to commemorate the centenary of President George Washington’s inauguration. The park also houses several monuments, including a bust of Alexander Lyman Holley, a steel engineer who helped start the American steel industry, and a statue of Italian patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi. It also has a World War I memorial flagstaff and a central fountain.
