Top 12 Best Parks in New York City
New York City is known for its bustling streets, towering skyscrapers, and endless entertainment options. But amidst the concrete jungle lie over 1,700 green spaces and parks that provide a natural respite from the urban pace. From scenic waterfront promenades to lush botanical gardens, New York’s parks offer something for everyone.
| No. | Park | Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Park | Iconic, expansive greenery, attractions |
| 2 | Prospect Park | Vast green space, recreational activities |
| 3 | The High Line | Elevated urban park, historic rail line |
| 4 | Hudson River Park | Riverside, green spaces, recreation |
| 5 | Washington Square Park | Vibrant, iconic arch, lively atmosphere |
| 6 | Madison Square Park | Art installations, dog run |
| 7 | Brooklyn Bridge Park | Waterfront, views of Manhattan |
| 8 | Fort Tryon Park | Scenic views, The Cloisters |
| 9 | The Battery | Historic, views of New York Harbor |
| 10 | Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Variety of plant species |
| 11 | Inwood Hill Park | Natural forest, trails, views |
| 12 | Governors Island | Recreational activities, historic sites |
New York’s collection of urban parks provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Iconic destinations like Central Park and Prospect Park attract both tourists and locals with their sprawling green lawns, leafy walking paths, sports facilities, and cultural attractions. Lesser-known gems scattered across the boroughs reveal beautiful landscaping, skyline views, recreation amenities, and serene spots to relax.
When exploring New York’s parks, you can go for a jog, have a picnic, visit a zoo, enjoy free concerts and events, find wildlife and nature trails, and escape the city streets. The parks also host famous attractions like the Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, New York Botanical Garden, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden. With so many excellent parks to choose from, it can be tough deciding which ones to visit during your time in New York. That’s why we’ve rounded up 12 of the best parks in New York City for you to enjoy.
1. Central Park
Name and Location: Central Park, located between 5th Ave and Central Park West from 59th to 110th streets in Manhattan.
History and Significance: Opened in 1876, it was the first major landscaped public park in the US. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, it set a precedent for urban park design.
What to Expect: Massive green space with many trails, sights, and activities. Busy on weekends.
Visitor Information: Open 6am-1am daily. No admission fee.
No list of New York City parks is complete without the iconic 843-acre Central Park. Located in the heart of Manhattan, Central Park is the most visited urban park in the United States, seeing over 42 million visitors annually. It stretches 2.5 miles from 59th to 110th Streets and is filled with manicured lawns, tranquil lakes, ponds, wooded areas, and walking paths that twist and wind across the urban oasis.
Some of the top attractions in Central Park include the Central Park Zoo, Central Park Conservatory Garden, Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle, Bow Bridge, and more. You can rent a boat and row across the lake, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, enjoy a picnic on the Great Lawn, go for a jog on one of the scenic trails, or simply relax on a park bench and people watch. With so much beauty and activity, it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring Central Park.
2. Prospect Park
Name and Location: Prospect Park, in the Park Slope and Windsor Terrace neighborhoods of Brooklyn.
History and Significance: Designed by Olmsted and Vaux in 1865, considered their masterpiece. Inspired other urban parks.
What to Expect: 526 acres with forests, meadows, trails, lakes, and more recreational facilities.
Visitor Information: Open 6am-1am daily. No admission fee.
Spanning 526 acres in central Brooklyn, Prospect Park is considered the “backyard” of Brooklyn residents. Designed by the same architects behind Central Park, Prospect Park boasts rolling green meadows, forested nature trails, and scenic waterways. The 90-acre Long Meadow is the longest unbroken stretch of grass in New York City, making it a popular gathering place for picnics, sports, and relaxation. Other highlights include Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park Zoo, Audubon Center, and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
In addition to recreational facilities like tennis courts, baseball fields, and playgrounds, Prospect Park hosts concerts and events during summer months. You can also find a dog park, a carousel, food vendors, and a seasonal farmers market held at the Grand Army Plaza. With so much natural beauty just steps from the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park is a must-visit when exploring the borough.
3. The High Line
Name and Location: The High Line, an elevated linear park on Manhattan’s West Side from Gansevoort St to 34th St.
History and Significance: Built on a former rail line, opened in 2009 as an innovative repurposed urban space and park. Inspired other cities.
What to Expect: Walking above street level with gardens, art, and city views. Can be crowded.
Visitor Information: Open 7am-10pm daily. No admission fee.
The High Line is a unique urban park built on historic railroad tracks elevated above street level on Manhattan’s West Side. Opened in 2009, this innovative public park runs 1.45 miles from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street. The High Line features beautifully landscaped gardens and viewing areas overlooking the streets below, providing a pleasant above-ground strolling experience.
Along The High Line, you can view public art exhibitions from sculptures to murals in a park setting. There are also dining options from food vendors and restaurants located in repurposed railroad cars. Popular access points to The High Line include the Gansevoort, 14th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 26th, 28th, and 30th Street staircases. Walking the entire length end-to-end takes about 90 minutes for a leisurely stroll above the bustling Chelsea and Meatpacking neighborhoods.
4. Hudson River Park
Name and Location: Hudson River Park extends along the Hudson River from Chambers St to 59th St in Manhattan.
History and Significance: Opened in phases starting 1998, transformed abandoned piers into a 5 mile long riverfront park and greenway.
What to Expect: Walking/biking paths, sports fields, gardens, estuarium, kayaking, and more along the waterfront.
Visitor Information: Open daily, hours vary by section. No admission fee.
Stretching along the Hudson River from Chambers Street to 59th Street, Hudson River Park encompasses 550 acres of open space and recreation along Manhattan’s scenic west side waterfront. The park consists of landscaped gardens, grassy lawns, playgrounds, sports fields, boating facilities, and adjacent biking and walking paths. Attractions include the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and Pier 84 playground.
During summer months, Hudson River Park also hosts free music and dance events as part of the annual RiverRocks concert series. The bike path along Hudson River Park connects to other waterside parks like Riverside Park further uptown. From Hudson River Park, you can take in panoramic views of the water, New Jersey skyline, and passing ships along the shoreline. The park’s peaceful atmosphere and amenities make it a relaxing place to walk, jog, cycle, or picnic along the Hudson River.
5. Washington Square Park
Name and Location: Washington Square Park located in Greenwich Village in Lower Manhattan.
History and Significance: Former potter’s field and parade grounds, long been a hub for artists, performers, and protesters.
What to Expect: Lively neighborhood park with iconic central fountain and arch. Street performers and NYU spirit.
Visitor Information: Open daily 6am-12am. No admission fee.
Washington Square Park has long served as a public gathering space and cultural hub of New York City. Nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village, this 9.75-acre park is well-known for its iconic white marble arch overlooking the central fountain plaza. The park offers open green space, shaded benches, and pathways lined with vibrant flower beds. It attracts street performers, musicians, artists, chess players, locals, college students from NYU, and tourists alike throughout the year.
Washington Square Park also hosts events like the annual Halloween Parade and jazz concerts in summer. You can check out the 58-foot granite Washington Square Arch, visit the central fountain that’s a popular meetup spot, or watch as skateboarders navigate the park’s paths. The lively energy and central location of Washington Square Park makes it a quintessential New York City park experience.
6. Madison Square Park
Name and Location: Madison Square Park, located between 5th and Madison Ave from 23rd to 26th St in Manhattan.
History and Significance: Original site of Madison Square Garden, opened in 1847 as one of the city’s first public parks.
What to Expect: Relaxed neighborhood park popular for lunchtime relaxing. Rotating art exhibits.
Visitor Information: Open daily 6am-11pm. No admission fee.
Madison Square Park offers a nice retreat in the heart of the Flatiron District. This 6-acre public park features lush landscaping,shake tables and chairs, a popular dog run, and temporary art exhibitions on display throughout the year. Visitors will also find several statues and monuments, including the famous Flatiron Building overlooking the park’s south end.
There are two full-size grassy areas for lounging, playing sports, or picnicking in Madison Square Park. The park also contains a concert stage that hosts live music performances during summer months. You can take an afternoon coffee break on one of the shaded benches or visit the original Shake Shack location for lunch. With its modern design and amenities, Madison Square Park is one of the best parks in Manhattan.
7. Brooklyn Bridge Park
Name and Location: Brooklyn Bridge Park stretches along the Brooklyn waterfront from Jay St to Atlantic Ave.
History and Significance: Transformed abandoned industrial sites into a world-class waterfront park when opened in 2010.
What to Expect: Sweeping views of Manhattan, recreational facilities, gardens, and green space. Popular.
Visitor Information: Open daily 6am-1am. No admission fee.
Stretching 1.3 miles along the East River waterfront, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers stunning views of downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. The 85-acre park’s unique setting along old piers and industrial buildings creates a fun atmosphere for waterside recreation. Attractions include playgrounds, sports courts, green spaces, boat launches, a beach, Jane’s Carousel, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, and summer concerts on the Pier 1 lawn.
Brooklyn Bridge Park also contains several landscaped pedestrian walkways interspersed with public piers, making it great for biking, jogging, or walking along the river. Sections of the park containing historic warehouses and maritime buildings help preserve Brooklyn’s industrial waterfront heritage. Sweeping views of the harbor and an impressive skyline perspective of Lower Manhattan make Brooklyn Bridge Park an exciting place to visit.
8. Fort Tryon Park
Name and Location: Fort Tryon Park, located in Upper Manhattan between Bennett Ave, Broadway, Margaret Corbin Dr, and the Hudson River.
History and Significance: Named for Revolutionary War Fort Tryon, it opened in 1917 and houses The Cloisters museum.
What to Expect: Scenic views, gardens, and wooded trails on a Hudson River hilltop. More lowkey.
Visitor Information: Open daily 8am-dusk. No admission fee.
Fort Tryon Park sits high on a hill in Upper Manhattan, providing some of the most scenic park views in the city. This 67-acre park contains The Cloisters gardens and museum, as well as the Heather Garden and Alpine Woods. The Cloisters museum complex houses centuries-old architecture and medieval art within picturesque gardens. The elevated height of the park reveals panoramic views of the Hudson River shoreline and Palisades cliffs across the water.
Other features of Fort Tryon Park include limestone pathways, lush meadows, and hillside woodlands. The park also contains a visitor center, restaurant, artist gardens and galleries, seating areas, and frightful views from its high vantage point. The steeper climb up to Fort Tryon Park rewards you with an almost rural, peaceful setting away from the commotion of the city streets below.
9. The Battery
Name and Location: The Battery, located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island.
History and Significance: Historic public space since the 17th century, witnessed many key events. Immigrant portal location.
What to Expect: Iconic views of the Statue of Liberty and harbor. Popular with tourists.
Visitor Information: Open daily 8am-8pm, extended summer hours. No admission fee.
Located at the southernmost tip of Manhattan Island, The Battery is a 23-acre waterfront park with amazing views of the New York Harbor. The park contains gardens, monuments, and historical attractions centered around its namesake, the battery. Castle Clinton National Monument was originally an fort and now serves as the ticket office for ferries to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, making this a great starting point for seeing these iconic sites.
Other highlights of The Battery include the SeaGlass Carousel, outdoor concerts, and views of Governors Island and Statue of Liberty across the harbor. Food kiosks, sculptures, and a playground are also found throughout the park. The elevated walkway of the Battery Promenade provides the best vista of the converging waters between the Hudson River and East River surrounding Lower Manhattan.
10. Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Name and Location: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, located at 990 Washington Avenue in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.
History and Significance: Created in 1910, a masterpiece of urban botanical garden design with many specialty gardens.
What to Expect: Oasis with seasonal blooms, water lilies, bonsai, rose garden, Japanese garden, and more.
Visitor Information: Open Tues-Sun 8am-6pm. Admission fee $15 for adults, free under 12.
Home to over 10,000 plant varieties across 52 acres, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a must-see oasis for nature lovers. This urban botanic garden features specialized gardens like the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, Fragrance Garden, Cranford Rose Garden, and Steinhardt Conservatory with indoor plant exhibits. The Cherry Esplanade showcases a sea of pink and white cherry blossoms along a reflecting pool during springtime.
Visitors can learn about gardening at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden while enjoying the beautiful floral landscapes and serene settings. Interactive exhibits, art displays, and events are also hosted year-round. Located adjacent to Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s diverse ecosystem and tranquil beauty make it one of Brooklyn’s crown jewels. Admission is free for visitors on Tuesdays and Saturdays before noon.
11. Inwood Hill Park
Name and Location: Inwood Hill Park, located between Dyckman St, Payson Ave, Seaman Ave, and the Hudson River in Upper Manhattan.
History and Significance: Remnants of native forest, salt marsh, and natural caves unlike any other park in NYC.
What to Expect: Trails, caves, forests, meadows. Escape the city and observe nature.
Visitor Information: Open daily 8am-dusk. No admission fee.
Inwood Hill Park contains one of the last natural forest areas in Manhattan, offering a woodsy escape in upper Manhattan. Nestled between steep hills lining the Hudson River, this 196-acre park features rocky outcrops, winding trails, and diverse wildlife and plant species. Shady forests, salt marshes, babbling creeks, and meadows create a peaceful wilderness setting unique to NYC parks.
The Henry Hudson Trail runs through Inwood Hill Park, providing scenic riverside views along its route. Other amenities include playgrounds, athletic fields, barbecue grills, and space for grilling and picnicking. The Park’s natural terrain makes it great for hiking, exploring caves, and spotting birds and other wildlife not found elsewhere in Manhattan. Inwood Hill Park provides a beautiful natural oasis on the northern tip of the island.
12. Governors Island
Name and Location: Governors Island, an island in New York Harbor 800 yards south of Lower Manhattan.
History and Significance: Former military base, now a seasonal public park space with rich history.
What to Expect: Car-free green space, recreational activities, city skyline views away from the bustle.
Visitor Information: Open May 1-October 31. Free admission, ferry fee applies.
Governors Island sits just off the southern tip of Manhattan in New York Harbor. This 172-acre island feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of NYC while offering awesome skyline views of Lower Manhattan. Ferry service to Governors Island runs daily during summer months and weekends in the spring and fall. Once on the island, you can walk or bike its car-free streets, enjoy picnics and concerts on the open lawns, visit historic sites and art installations, and relax along the waterfront promenade.
Highlights of Governors Island include Fort Jay and Castle Williams historic former military bases, hills with sweeping NYC views, a hammock grove, mini golf course, and Slide Hill park with an awesome 33-foot-high slide. Food and drink vendors also set up across the island. With plenty of recreational activities set against a scenic harbor backdrop, Governors Island provides fun for all ages.
Conclusion
New York City’s magnificent parks range from sprawling urban oases to landscaped gardens showcasing nature’s beauty. The parks offer countless ways to recreate, relax, and soak in iconic city views. Central Park and Prospect Park are bucket-list green spaces, while smaller parks like Madison Square or Inwood Hill reveal additional outdoor charm. Along the waterfront, Hudson River Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and The Battery exemplify the city’s connection with scenic rivers and coastal scenery.
With hundreds of green spaces to explore across the five boroughs, NYC parks provide room to roam just steps from the urban excitements. Whether you’re jogging along a riverfront path, admiring flowers in bloom, or picnicking on a rolling meadow, New York’s parks let you unwind and experience nature’s bliss amid the city.