The Complete Guide to NYC Parks
From the 843 acres of Central Park to tiny pocket parks tucked between skyscrapers, New York City has over 1,700 parks covering 30,000 acres. Here are the 20 best parks every visitor and local should know.
Manhattan Parks
1. Central Park
The big one. 843 acres of lakes, meadows, bridges, and hidden corners. Must-see spots: Bethesda Terrace, The Ramble, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir running track (1.58 miles with skyline views).
2. The High Line
A 1.45-mile elevated park built on abandoned railroad tracks. Runs from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street on the West Side. Art installations rotate seasonally. Best section: the viewing platform at 10th Avenue.
3. Bryant Park
Midtowns backyard. Free yoga classes in summer, ice skating in winter, and year-round ping pong tables. The reading room behind the NY Public Library is a hidden gem.
4. Washington Square Park
The heart of Greenwich Village. Live jazz, chess hustlers, NYU students, and the iconic arch. Best people-watching in the city.
5. Hudson River Park
5 miles of waterfront from Battery Park to 59th Street. Bike paths, piers, playgrounds, and Little Island — the floating park on tulip-shaped pillars.
Brooklyn Parks
6. Prospect Park
Brooklyns answer to Central Park — designed by the same architects (Olmsted and Vaux). 526 acres with a lake, zoo, bandshell, and the Long Meadow (longer than Central Parks Great Lawn).
7. Brooklyn Bridge Park
85 acres of waterfront with jaw-dropping Manhattan views. Includes Janes Carousel, beach volleyball courts, kayak launches, and Pier 6 with a massive playground.
8. Domino Park (Williamsburg)
A modern waterfront park on the site of the old Domino Sugar Factory. Industrial artifacts, taco stands, and East River views. Perfect for a Williamsburg afternoon.
Queens Parks
9. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
Home of the 1964 Worlds Fair. The Unisphere globe, Queens Museum, and the US Open tennis courts are all here. Massive and underrated.
10. Gantry Plaza State Park (LIC)
The best Manhattan skyline view in the city. The iconic Pepsi-Cola sign, restored gantries, and waterfront benches perfect for sunset.
Bronx Parks
11. New York Botanical Garden
250 acres of gardens, forests, and the stunning Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Free admission on Wednesday mornings.
12. Pelham Bay Park
The largest park in NYC — three times the size of Central Park. Includes Orchard Beach, hiking trails, and a golf course.
Staten Island Parks
13. Snug Harbor Cultural Center
83 acres of botanical gardens, museums, and performance spaces in a former sailors retirement home. The Chinese Scholar Garden is stunning.
Hidden Green Spaces
14. Fort Tryon Park (Upper Manhattan)
Home to The Cloisters museum. Medieval gardens, Hudson River views, and the most peaceful spot in Manhattan.
15. Governors Island
A car-free island in the harbor with bike paths, hammock groves, and The Hills — four man-made hills with 360-degree views of the harbor.
16. The Elevated Acre (Financial District)
A secret park on top of a parking garage at 55 Water Street. Lawn, amphitheater, and harbor views. Most New Yorkers dont know it exists.
17. Riverside Park
4 miles along the Hudson on the Upper West Side. Cherry blossoms in spring, the 79th Street Boat Basin, and quieter than Central Park.
18. Carl Schurz Park (Upper East Side)
Where Gracie Mansion (the mayors residence) sits. East River views, dog runs, and a neighborhood feel away from tourist crowds.
19. Inwood Hill Park
The last natural forest in Manhattan. Old-growth trees, caves, and the spot where the Dutch allegedly bought Manhattan from the Lenape.
20. Socrates Sculpture Park (Astoria)
An outdoor sculpture museum on the Queens waterfront. Free, rotating exhibitions with Manhattan skyline backdrop. Free yoga and movie nights in summer.
Pro Tips
- Download the NYC Parks app for event schedules and maps
- Most parks have free WiFi near the main entrances
- Public restrooms are available in most major parks (check the app for locations)
- Dogs are off-leash before 9 AM in most parks
Watch our video tours of these parks on NewYorkNoNavro YouTube.