Whether you’re looking for a magical ride on the SeaGlass Carousel in Battery Park or just a quiet green space in Central Park to forget you’re in the middle of the largest city in the world, NYC’s open spaces boast something for everyone. Not sure which Manhattan park to visit? These are 10 of our favorite parks in the city.
The 25-acre green space at the southern tip of Manhattan is home to the enchanting SeaGlass Carousel, The Battery Labyrinth, and outstanding views of the Statue of Liberty. Named for its 17th century artillery batteries, The Battery is an excellent place to get lost and explore the early 19th century Castle Clinton fort, monuments, and over 195,000 square feet of perennial gardens.
Just south of The Manhattan Club, “Manhattan’s Town Square” is one of the most picturesque in the city. Surrounded by skyscrapers and adjacent to the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is home to beautiful gardens, free activities, al fresco dining, and the iconic Winter Village that sets up each year with a holiday shopping haven complete with an ice skating rink.
The world-renowned 843-acre park is one of the top attractions in NYC. Can’t-miss stops include the Conservatory Garden, Sheep Meadow, Strawberry Fields memorial, the Central Park Lake, Mall, and Carousel, and architectural highlights like the stone Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain, and the Bow and Gapstow bridges.
An excellent spot to view the Brooklyn Bridge, the East River Park (also called John V. Lindsay East River Park) is 57.5-acre public park located on the Lower East Side. The park is known for its sports fields, which includes a track, a tennis complex, eight baseball and softball fields, and fields and courts dedicated to soccer, football, and basketball.
Located on the northwest corner of the island, Fort Tryon overlooks the Hudson River and is where you’ll find the medieval Met Cloisters. Designed by the prestigious Olmsted Brothers Firm in the 1930s, the park boasts the city’s largest garden with unrestricted public access (Heather Garden) with over 500 varieties of plants, trees, and shrubs.
Running from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street along Manhattan’s West Side, the public park was built on a historic, elevated rail line. You’ll find beautiful gardens, art installations, performances, and delicious food vendors along the 1.45-mile walk.
The 4-mile long waterside park overlooks the Hudson River and attracts over 17 million visitors annually. Be sure to check out Little Island, the park's newest feature with a very interesting landscape.
The public square may no longer be the home of Madison Square Garden, but what it lacks in sports arenas it makes up with some of the most notable buildings in the city. You’ll find the Flatiron Building, the Met Life Tower, the New York Life Building, and the historic Appellate Division Courthouse around the square.
The charming elm-lined park in the East Village hosts festivals throughout the year, but is best known for its historic skating grounds.
The Greenwich Village open space is dominated by the Washington Square Arch, a towering marble arch commemorating the centennial of George Washington's 1789 inauguration as President of the United States. The park also houses several other monuments, a fountain, and plenty of green space.
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