By Marnie Kunz

The best parks in NYC offer beautiful views and space to enjoy the outdoors. From iconic waterfront parks with skyline views to tree-lined hiking trails, these parks offer a respite from the bustle of city life. I've explored dozens of parks after living and running in NYC for over 10 years. This list is based on my experience and recommendations from friends in every borough.

25 Best Parks in NYC

I categorized the best parks in NYC by boroughs, ranging from iconic Manhattan landmarks to tree-lined hiking trails in the outer boroughs. Whether you want to go for a trail run, bring your dog hiking, see iconic landmarks, or enjoy a quick break from the stress of the city, these parks have something for everyone. If you’re a dog owner exploring NYC, check out the 20 Best Dog-Friendly Places in NYC.

Manhattan Parks

Manhattan parks are some of the most landscaped parks in the city, and many include statues, monuments, and art. These scenic parks offer a refuge from the concrete jungle and a place to walk, sit, eat, or people-watch.

1. Central Park

Central Park, the most famous park in New York City, has 843 acres to enjoy. With iconic landmarks like Bethesda Fountain and an eclectic mix of people, Central Park is the perfect place to get away from the concrete jungle. You can walk, run, or bike over 6 miles on the main loop circling the park or explore the many paths in the 38-acre wilderness area along the west side of the park known as the Ramble. Another popular hangout spot is the 15-acre Sheep Meadow on the park's south side.

If you’re a runner, check out my Tips for Running Central Park.

2. The Battery

The Battery offers remarkable waterfront views, well-manicured gardens, bike paths, an urban farm, and plenty of places to sit and take a break from city life. The Battery also has harbor views which include the Statue of Liberty and ferry service to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

3. Bryant Park

Bryant Park is a popular hangout spot for workers in Midtown, tourists, and NYC locals. The pristine space is well-maintained (with the best park restroom in NYC!). It includes concession stands, plenty of benches and seats, tables, and a lawn that hosts many free events in the summer and is transformed into an ice skating rink with a holiday village in the wintertime.

4. Union Square Park

Union Square Park is a lively meeting and relaxing space in downtown Manhattan. The park hosts the city’s largest Greenmarket, where you can find an array of fresh foods and goods, and it is also a popular gathering place for artists, social activists, tourists, and locals. The Union Square subway station below the park makes it a convenient park to access.

5. Riverside Park

Riverside Park runs along the west side of Manhattan, from 59th Street to 181st Street along the Hudson River. This sprawling waterfront park offers views along the Hudson River and miles of walking, biking, and running paths to explore. The park also has monuments, sports fields, and festivals to enjoy.

6. Little Island

Little Island is one of the best parks in NYC if you love art and architecture. The well-manicured park is built upon 132 pot-shaped “tulips” suspended above the Hudson River on the west side of downtown Manhattan. The park includes an amphitheater, meditation spaces, and unique city views.

7. Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is a prime people-watching place with the iconic historic arch at the Washington Square North and 5th Avenue entrance. The downtown Manhattan gathering place has a bohemian spirit with an eclectic mix of people. The park also has a fountain and a storied history as a former burial site.

8. The High Line

The High Line is an elevated park that stretches almost two miles along the west side of Manhattan. The former rail trail is popular for walking, taking in city views, and checking out art and landscaping. With a walking path, colorful gardens, murals, and statues, the park is perfect for taking a break from the city.

9. Inwood Hill Park

Inwood Hill Park is one of the best parks in NYC to immerse yourself in nature. The historic park on the northwest side of Manhattan has an old-growth forest, nature center, caves, and one of Manhattan’s last remaining salt marshes. Unlike other parks in Manhattan, Inwood Hill Park is mainly natural and has forests and hills. Inwood Hill Park is an excellent option if you’re looking for a place to hike, trail run, or escape from the city.

Brooklyn Parks

Brooklyn is the most populated borough and includes many parks and green spaces. The borough has iconic waterfront parks that overlook the Manhattan skyline, as well as forested parks with hiking trails.

10. Prospect Park

Prospect Park is a 585-acre park with trails, meadows, a lake, pavilions, and more. The park is a popular meeting spot in Brooklyn, with a loop for biking, walking, and running along the park's perimeter, trails, and more inside the green space. As the second largest park in Brooklyn, Prospect Park is conveniently located near the Brooklyn Museum, Grand Army Plaza, and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. The scenic park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted And Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central Park.

11. Brooklyn Bridge Park

As a longtime Brooklyn resident, my favorite park for sweeping views of NYC is Brooklyn Bridge Park. Brooklyn Bridge Park is a tourism hotspot because of the iconic views and access to the historic Brooklyn Bridge. The park includes well-manicured green spaces, pedestrian trails for walking, biking, and running, expansive sports fields, and ferries that go to Manhattan.

12. Domino Park

Domino Park spans 5 acres on the waterfront in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The park has magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline and Williamsburg Bridge, a pedestrian path, open green space, a dog park, and a playground.

13. McCarren Park

Another popular Williamsburg park to check out is McCarren Park. With an outdoor track, exercise equipment, playing fields, and a dog run, McCarren Park is ideal for working out or hanging out with friends - 2-legged and 4-legged.

14. Marine Park

Marine Park has 530 acres of salt marsh and grassland in south Brooklyn. As the largest park in Brooklyn, Marine Park has lots of space to unwind. With pedestrian trails, playing fields, and trails through some of the marshes, Marine Park is an ideal place for an active getaway from the city.

15. Louis Valentino Jr. Park and Pier

Louis Valentino Jr. Park and Pier is one of the best parks in NYC to see the Statue of Liberty. This waterfront park in Red Hook has green space, a small beach, and a pier with breathtaking views of iconic NYC landmarks.

16. WNYC Transmitter Park

WNYC Transmitter Park is a scenic waterfront park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The 1.6-acre park includes green space to relax. You can take in stunning views of the Manhattan skyline across the East River and enjoy the sprawling mural along one side of the park.

The Bronx Parks

The Bronx has some of the best parks in NYC for wooded trails. With the largest parks in the city, the Bronx has beautiful green spaces, sports fields, and trails to explore.

17. Van Cortlandt Park

Van Cortlandt Park includes 1,146 acres with some of the city’s last native wetlands and woodlands. With over 20 miles of hiking trails, Van Cortlandt Park is a hiker’s and runner’s paradise. The park is nestled in the northwest section of the Bronx.

18. Pelham Bay Park

Pelham Bay Park is spread over 2,772 acres in the northeast Bronx. This massive park is the largest public park in New York City. With marshlands, forests, beaches, and more, the park offers a beautiful place to get away from the stresses of city life.

Queens Parks

Queens is the largest borough in NYC and has many parks to explore. As a former Queens resident, I had the opportunity to run in all of the parks listed here and can vouch for them.

19. Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the fourth largest park in New York City, with 897 acres of land. The park was the site of two World’s Fairs and includes the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Citi Field, where the New York Mets play, the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Museum, the Queens Theatre in the Park, the Queens Zoo, and the Unisphere. This iconic steel globe structure has become a symbol of Queens. The park has plenty of activities, with paved pedestrian trails, lakes, kayaking, biking, running, walking, soccer, baseball, tennis, volleyball, cricket, and a recreation center with an indoor pool.

20. Astoria Park

Astoria Park has an outdoor pool, track, basketball courts, tennis courts, trails, and more. The park sits on the East River and offers views of the Hell Gate Bridge and Triborough Bridge. Astoria Park is a popular place to do outdoor sports and recreation activities. Since outdoor tracks are hard to find in NYC, it’s also an excellent place for track workouts.

21. Forest Park

Forest Park has over 500 acres of space to escape the city. With hiking trails, bridle paths, sports fields, and a golf course, Forest Park has many options for an active getaway.

22. Gantry State Plaza Park

Gantry State Plaza Park is one of the best parks in NYC for incredible city views. The 12-acre waterfront park has paved pedestrian paths, manicured gardens, basketball courts, soccer fields, playgrounds, and a fishing pier. The view overlooking midtown Manhattan’s skyscrapers makes the park a popular photo destination.

Staten Island

Staten Island has more green space than the other boroughs and many lakes, ponds, and wetlands. The free ferry between Staten Island and Manhattan makes the island accessible for park adventures.

23. High Rock Park

High Rock Park has tranquil ponds and forests as well as wetlands. The park has plenty of hiking and running trails and Mt. Moses, a 260-foot hill with 360-degree panoramic views of New York City.

24. Cloves Lake Park

Cloves Lake Park has scenic lakes and ponds, hiking trails, and ample sports fields and courts. The park has nearly 200 acres of natural wooded areas and manicured sports fields.

25. Silver Lake Park

Silver Lake Park was created as Staten Island’s answer to Central Park and Prospect Park. The 209-acre park has a lake, sports fields and courts, an 18-hole golf course, and many trails to enjoy.

Have you been to any of the best parks in NYC? What’s your favorite park in the city? Tag @Runstreet on Instagram to share your favorite places to explore.

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Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, a dog lover and Akita mom, and the founder of Runstreet.

25 Best Parks in NYC to Enjoy the Outdoors