Let's provide first a little bit of history and context to this unique NYC park experience. The…read moreHigh Line was originally an elevated freight rail line built in the 1930s to lift dangerous street-level train traffic (which had caused numerous pedestrian deaths) 30 feet above 10th Avenue. Trains carried meat, dairy, and produce until the 1960s decline; the last train ran in 1980, after which the structure sat abandoned. In 1999, local area residents started Friends of the High Line non-profit, dedicated to turning the freight rail into an elevated park-greenway, inspired by the Promenade Plantée in Paris. The resulting park's design and planning was carried out by James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, along with Dutch planting designer Piet Oudolf. It opened in phases starting 2009. Over 210 plant species grew naturally on the tracks after trains stopped, and the design highlights this wild landscape with modern pathways and seating nestled into the greenery. The park features architectural elements like the Viewing Spur -- an observation area with bleacher-like seating -- plus seating areas and a rotating display of artworks by artists from around the globe. The High Line South (Gansevoort/Washington St.) ends at The Whitney Museum of American Art which was designed by Renzo Piano, and completed in 2015. The North (West 34th St.) ends at Hudson Yards, a mixed-use development, which includes an arts center, office park, luxury housing, and a high-end luxury mall. The trail is highly walkable, with alternating shadow and full sun areas, rest stops, and opportunities to admire not only the wild foliage and the art but also some exceptional buildings along the way, like the stunning Zaha Hadid's 520 West 28th Street building, celebrated for its unique, flowing curves, and other interesting landmarks. The day I was taking pictures was incredibly hot in NYC (around 100F)!

After a couple years and a dozen or so trips to New York, I finally did the Highline. And its a…read morereally nice change of pace to traverse New York away from the sidewalks, crosswalks, stoplights, buses, cars, and horns. You're basically walking what you normally would but elevated up off the roads by some nice plantlife and flowers, and although it can get a little congested, its no more congested than the sidewalks below and honestly, I'd rather be closer to people on this than the sidewalks below. You can see the old railroad tracks in spots, but otherwise, there's plant life everywhere, and it really is a nice change of pace and a better way to get around New York in that area of the city.

Rising above the Hudson River on its distinctive tulip-shaped pillars, Little Island is one of the…read moremost unique public parks in New York City. The park combines beautiful gardens, winding pathways, open lawns, viewpoints, and performance spaces, all packed into a relatively small area. The design feels creative and peaceful, and the elevated walkways provide great views of the Hudson River, New Jersey skyline, and surrounding waterfront. There are quiet spots to sit and relax, landscaped gardens that change with the seasons, and a variety of free performances and events throughout the year.

Little Island sits on the Hudson River at Pier 55 in the West Village and is one of the more…read moregenuinely inventive public spaces added to New York City in recent years. I walked onto a park built on a series of tulip shaped concrete columns rising from the river, and the structure itself was striking enough that the architecture became part of the experience rather than just the platform for it. The design is compact and the island is smaller than most first time visitors expect, but the thoughtfulness of the landscaping made the space feel fuller than its footprint suggests. I followed walking paths that wound through planted gardens, with seating areas distributed throughout. Two elevated hills at either end of the island offered different vantage points looking back at the skyline and out over the river. The Hudson River views were wide and unobstructed, and the perspective on the surrounding city from the water level was one I do not get from the street. Sunset is the most popular time to visit and draws the largest crowds. I came on a weekday morning, which gave me a more relaxed version of the park with better access to seating and a quieter atmosphere. Food trucks were present, and the proximity to Chelsea Market makes the surrounding area practical for extending the visit into a meal nearby. Admission is free and the park is accessible via ramps throughout. The small amphitheater hosts performances during the warmer months, which adds another reason to check what is scheduled before going. For a stop that requires no planning and delivers consistently, Little Island is one of the easier recommendations in the city.

Bryant Park is an excellent park to sit and enjoy people watching, work, eat, have a meeting, or…read morewalk. There is a variety of sitting places: tables with and without umbrellas, benches, and the lawn. There is a ton of shade and excellent landscaping. Check out the park schedule for events occurring on the lawn as they sometimes have concerts and movies.

I come here often, whenever I visited the library…read more  In the summer and warmer months, people lounging here, summer night movies, and during the winter, there is an ice skating ring: an all year around place.

This is one of those spots you either randomly stumble on while walking around the city or you've…read moreseen all over TikTok and decided to go out of your way to check it out. Either way, it's such a unique little escape right in the middle of the chaos of New York. The east side of Manhattan can feel kind of sterile with not much to do, so this is a really nice change of pace. The waterfall alone makes it worth it--the sound is super calming, and it honestly doesn't even feel like you're in the city for a second. You'll see people posted up working on laptops, just hanging out, or catching up with friends. There's also plenty of seating, which is a huge plus--tables, long benches, all of that. I grabbed a mango smoothie from the small café inside the park and it was actually really good. Definitely a solid spot to just chill for a bit.

Delightful little oasis of a park on 51st Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. There's a pretty big…read morewaterfall here with chairs and some tables too. Get a pic right in front of the rushing water . I was here in mid May and it was open . I'm assuming in winter that the waterfall is not on . Many people having their lunch here or just hanging out in a quiet and relaxing spot. I noticed a lot of bird song too . Nice little park.

This little mini golf course makes it on my list of NYC gems…read more Located on the beautiful Westside Highway on Pier 25, this 18 hole mini golf course offers a low key experience to practice your putting skills. Its' neat design cleverly winds 18 holes within a small space. While the holes are not elaborate designs with windmills, the decor makes it close to a suburban putt putt experience. I received two hole-in-ones but I'd say these are mostly par 2/3. A sign says max four shots. That's relative haha. The restroom is a general public one at the head of the pier. There's a restaurant next to it or a seasonal snack shed. Great outdoor date or family outing!

Such a cute mini golf course, not crowded and and and it had a great view of the water. We walked a…read morelittle farther around the water and we could see the Statue of Liberty!

Lovely and well-maintained park…read more As of May 2026, the northern section of the park is closed for renovations. The recently renovated southern section looks great! Lots of benches and neat space offering some amazing views of the Williamsburg Bridge and Brooklyn. There is an overpass from Delancey Street that crosses over FDR to gain access.

When it's not under major construction as has been going on forever now and won't be completed…read moreuntil probably 2027 the East River Park is a terrific place to get in a run, walk, fish, relax, and participate in athletics. I've done many runs down to this park which features a really nice running track where I've put in a lot training miles. The esplanade here is a scenic path along the East River and stretches down past the Williamsburg Bridge. Great waterside views to take in during a run. What's nice is that it's more of a locals park area as compared to the West Side Park and Chelsea Piers pathway area where you'll find more tourists and crowds to navigate around during a run.

This is one of my favorite New York hidden gems. Restaurants, beautiful foliage, the water front,…read morethe benches and a safe path to walk and enjoy the view of the NY & NJ harbor. They have a children park and they also have a place to play sports board boats and rent boats. I absolutely think it is calm and breathtaking the views canNOT be beat. Highly recommend if you can find it wink wink.

Have you ever seen the opening of that old MGM musical with Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and the other…read moreguy playing sailors who get 24-hour shore leave in Manhattan? "New York, New York, a helluva town! The Bronx is up, and the Battery's down The people ride in a hole in the groun'...." Except when you're walking next to the Hudson River. Jamie W. and I were just coming off the Governors Island Ferry and decided to take the riverside stroll up to Little Island. We've walked in Hudson River Park before with all the pier parks jutting out into the water (review: https://bit.ly/3HixhB5). However, we never hit this stretch in Battery Park City. It's a very inviting path that allows you the panoramic views you expect from Lower Manhattan. I'm sure locals get frustrated with the throngs of tourists who clog the path. And vice-versa because... "New York, New York, a visitor's place Where no one lives on account of the pace But seven millions are screaming for space New York, New York, it's a visitor's place!" RELATED - Looking for other sights in NYC? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2ZvQA2F

it's a vibe ~~~ especially on those nyc summer days it's so warm and sunny and nice with everyone…read moreoutside. but even when it's cloudy the arc is majestic

At the heart of Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park is one of New York City's most lively and…read morerecognizable public spaces. Famous for its iconic arch, fountain, and tree-lined walkways, the park is always full of energy, with musicians, street performers, chess players, students from nearby NYU, and people simply relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere. It's a great place to sit, people-watch, and experience the character of the city. What makes the park especially enjoyable is that there's always something happening. Its central location also makes it an easy stop while exploring Greenwich Village, SoHo, or the West Village.

This park is just by my high school. I used to come here all day long and just chill and eat halal…read morefood or McDonalds. In my opinion it does not feel like a park because there's no children's playground. It looks more like some corporate building entrance area. The cool thing about this park is that there are nice lights on the floor for the night time. The lights are thin and long and on the floor. The trees also have nice lights on them for a nice lighting effect for the night time. So nice. There are benches and stone tables and chairs to eat lunch. Many people do that there. This park kind of sucks sometimes because there are some random construction workers or people that smoke in the park and too bad the wind is so strong that the smoke goes on you. Other than that, the park is good for sitting and dining. The park is kind of long with stairs by the halal food carts and if you're handicapped or with big luggage then you can go around and enter it without taking the stairs.

Zuccotti's Park is a space located in New York City's Financial District, just steps away from Wall…read moreStreet and the World Trade Center Site. It was originally created in 1968 as Liberty Plaza Park. In 2006 though, it was redesigned after John Zuccotti. The plaza is relatively large and it has granite paved walkways, seating areas, and plenty of shade! This park is also surrounded by all of the Skyscrapers in FiDi. There are some notable art pieces in the area too like Mark di Suvero's Joie de Vivre and across the street from Zuccotti Park is Isamu Noguchi's Red Cube. This is a great place to take a break and eat lunch! There are plenty of food trucks and food vendors nearby Zuccotti Park. While I was visiting, there were a lot of visitors enjoying the open seating at the benches! This is also a central location between Broadway and Trinity Place! I'd recommend visiting Zuccotti's Park if you're in the area especially if you're visiting for the Holidays!

Such a beautiful park , very clean and full of beautiful flowers . It's a long one and they have…read morebathrooms , tennis courts , a children's playground, a dog park , restaurants , plenty of benches , tables and off course the beautiful view on the river . Love this place

Beautiful outdoor option to have in the city. It goes up and down the whole west side. You're able…read moreto bike, walk, roller skate, etc. on the trails. There are a variety of courts to play on throughout the park.