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.

High Line Park - The High Line is a unique urban park that offers a completely different view of…read moreNew York. Walking along the former elevated railway above the streets is , green, and provides many interesting perspectives. I especially like the combination of nature, architecture, and art. It is the perfect place to slow down and relax in the middle of busy Manhattan. We also discovered some fascinating sculptures here. The route is several kilometers long.

Originally created for an elevated train, which last ran in 1980, the High Line was converted into…read morea beautiful public green space that opened in 2009. It's 1.45 miles long, and is filled with luscious trees, plants, flowers, art and incredible views of unique architecture. Open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., you can enjoy a leisurely walk, sit down and catch up with friends and have lunch, take a breath and enjoy the beauty of nature or check the calendar of events ahead of time and see what activities will spark your spark. This is a fantastic line of gardens that feeds your soul in the middle of NYC's concrete jungle. A great way to connect yourself to the city in a whole new way.

After not going out on New Years Eve and waking up fresh as a daisy on January 1st, I decided to…read moresnag a cigar and take a walk through Lower Manhattan. Cigars ARE a healthy alternative to cigarettes, don't let the mainstream media fool you... you won't catch me with a vape though I'm a grown ass man lol. Halfway through my cigar, the headrush starting to rattle my prefrontal cortex, I stumbled upon this "park." I guess we are using the word "park" as loosely as we are using the term "GOAT" now lol. This triangular "park" probably spans 500 ft in total surface area as it is essentially just a small intersection of 6th Ave and W Broadway. I'd take my estimate with a grain of salt though as Pythagoras had my number in high school geometry aahaahaha. I sat here ripping my cigar on one of the many open benches enjoying the architecture in the skyline, as the Jenga building stands tall watching over the "park." I think if I didn't have severe hyperhidrosis of the hands I would have been an architect. Seems like such an enriching profession, just seeing your work go from drafts on paper to actual buildings must be a beautiful feeling. In my humble and holier-than-thou opinion, staying in on New Years is a life hack and will be a chapter in the book I will continue to draft but never finish. I'd rather not pay $200 to get into an overrun hotel bar and wait 30 minutes for a watered down tequila soda. Thanks though. HAPPY 2024 Y'ALL LET'S GET THIS BREAD! IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__

Tribeca Park is small compared to others in the city. It's really just a spot in the middle of an…read moreintersection. The intersection is Broadway though. A nice area. There's lots of things around it. It's located in the middle of Broadway. It usually doesn't have too much going on inside. The attractions around it are what make it a good visit. It's a nice neighborhood to walk around. There's lots of places to eat and shop. It's a good place for a sit. There's usually some kind of art work. It's located near a subway line. It's easy to get to other areas of Manhattan from here. The park is useful for resting.

It was such a great experience to be the volunteer at the Macy's Fireworks for the 4th of July…read more2026. It was great to see people from near and far wanting to experience this exciting show. It was hot so I made sure to tell people to stay hydrated the crew I was with was so nice we had a great time and great seats to see this beautiful 250 year celebration. They needed more available bathrooms for the crew and more cooling stations. I would rather be a spectator next year...it's always a pleasure

This is my new favorite part of NYC. Yes, Central Park and Park Slope are certainly the kings when…read moreit comes to parks, but Pier 6 has a charm entirely of its own. From immaculate playgrounds for kids and BBQ areas for adults to kayaking and beach volleyball, it feels as though you've been transported to an entirely new dimension within New York City. I spent literally five hours the other day exploring and trying to get lost; it was that much fun. Speaking of getting lost, I actually forgot my house and car keys on a lounge chair while enjoying the simultaneous view of the stream, boats, river, and BBQ area and didn't realize it until the end of the day, around 10 pm. The crazy part is that one of their staff members kept them safe for me the entire time! I found a local parks officer, and after a quick click and call on his radio, they were located and returned to me within 60 seconds! This park is such a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of New York City.

East River Greenway is located around Manhattan so you can walk along the water for miles. It's…read moregreat to be out of the traffic and the start and stop of street lights. I always lived by the ocean so my favorite views and activities are around the Piers. I love to see the boats in the water and the ones docked. The views of the bridges and the other boroughs keeps me interested. I'm always spotting something new on the landscape. I'm recommending wherever you are in Manhattan you head for a river and enjoy the fresh air and views. I feel privileged to live in Manhattan where I have the opportunity to be near bodies of water. After all, I'm Aquarius.

Terrific place to run along the water on the East Side…read more Love running down here from uptown during my training runs. Especially at night when the skyline and bridges are all lit up. At times I have run down here on a weekend afternoon, across the Manhattan Bridge then back across the Williamsburg Bridge. So much to see down here along the way. People running, fishing, playing basketball, jet skiing, etc. You can pretty much run or walk it down to the Staten Island Ferry. It's a great running route and worth checking out if looking for a different view for your exercise routine.

Beautiful. Whether you go early morning, mid day, sunset or late at night, it will always be…read morestunning. I could sit here and listen to the water roll up the bank and toss the rocks around. It is such a unique sound. Then looking around at ridges, skyline, city and more also just makes this place pretty. Getting here is pretty easy. We actually stayed in a hotel nearby that was about a 16-20 min walk. But, you can walk across the Brooklyn bridge, take the subway, ride share etc. I highly recommend sitting down and taking a break here.

Cute park to check out the Manhattan skyline and bridges! Easy access via pathways and close to…read morelots of shopping and dining. We went at night and it was very easy to navigate in the dark.

Honestly pretty underwhelming for a private park. I was able to get in by doing a guided tour with…read moreThe Players Club. The statue inside is dedicated by the Players. The park itself is pretty well maintained. You need the highly coveted key to get both in AND out of the park. When I was inside, felt like a zoo animal with everyone outside the park staring in at you.

Gramercy Park - "you shall not pass!" Unless you have one of the highly coveted keys... I could…read morecare less. Gates remind me of cages. What if you lose the key and someone locks you in??? And all the restrictions - no this, no that - no thanks. There is something very un- New York about a private park in the middle of the city. But that's well known already. The park was even referred to on an episode of Billions called "stop structural schmuckiness" The surrounding area is beautiful though - ornate iron work & gas lights. * And - Gandalf's original quote was "you cannot pass"

Very nice atrium to relax in with a cup of coffee or cold drink. Plenty of natural light,…read moretrees/shrubs/greenery, seating throughout, and not too far from Columbus Circle/Central Park if out for a run and looking for a spot to cool off at. There is s bathroom here which is a huge plus. Nicely designed oasis in the city. Even a waterfall here. Open to the public daily 7am to 11pm.

The 550 Garden 550 Madison Ave…read more New York, NY 10022 The 550 Garden is a newly constructed garden in Midtown Manhattan. As soon as you enter this hidden oasis, you won't help but notice all the lively green to be seen. You will also come across rock gardens, a transparent ceiling, and a sculptural waterfall. This location has plenty of outdoor seating and three separate food courts. When you are next in Midtoen East and need a place to sit and rest, I highly recommend this secret garden because it is one of the best! #550garden #madisonavenyc #sculpturalwaterfall #hiddenoasis #550madisonave #midtowneast #transparentceiling #rockgarden