For the so-called concrete jungle, New York City offers an incredible number of parks. And while Central Park and Prospect Park are among the most popular places to spend a day outdoors, nothing beats a park by the water, where cool breezes and skyline views add to the experience.
Astoria Park
This huge waterfront is no secret in Queens, but it’s a place that’s often overlooked. Astoria Park has everything you’d hope to find in New York City: wide lawns, skyline views, athletics, fourteen tennis courts, bocce courts, basketball courts, a skatepark, a multi-use path, the city’s largest swimming pool, public restrooms, and not one but two photo-attractive bridges, the Triborough and Hel Gate.
Four Freedoms Park
At the foot of Roosevelt Island, a piece of (often overlooked) land in the East River between Queens and Manhattan that can be reached by subway, car, or streetcar, sits Faure Freedoms Park. In honor of Franklin Roosevelt, a tree-lined lawn leads to a granite memorial, and an often-photographed staircase at the entrance serves as a platform for periodic political speeches.
Gantry Plaza Park
Gantry Plaza in Long Island City is undoubtedly one of the city’s best waterfronts. It boasts stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and plenty of places to enjoy them sitting on benches of all shapes and sizes. Loungers are also provided here. The famous Pepsi-Cola sign and the restored gate that reads “Long Island” hint at the neighborhood’s industrial past. It’s a great place to read, a romantic date spot, a soothing place for the soul, and the perfect place for a picnic.
The Hills
The man-made hills on this man-made piece of island are truly amazing. The intricately designed open space of only 10 acres is perfect for a wonderful day trip. Be sure to visit Roam Discovery Hill, a 40 ft (12 m) high hill with trees and shrubs and art installations such as Tree Chuangs; climb Outlook Hill, a 70 ft (21 m) high observation deck with views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and the Verrazzano Bridge; ride New York City’s longest slide (57 ft /17 m long and three stories high) at Slide Hill.
Hall Gate
You probably associate Randall’s and Wards Islands with sports venues and music festivals, but you don’t need an event to visit this park. The island’s gardens adorn an already scenic stretch of land, and one of the best is the incredible field next to the Hall Gate Bridge.
Fort Washington Park
The fun doesn’t end where Riverside Park ends. It’s a whole new area to explore. Sure, there are the usual sports fields typical of most parks along the Hudson Greenway, but there are also some unique attractions that only Fort Washington Park has to offer. Manhattan’s only surviving lighthouse sits beneath the George Washington Bridge, and fan-favorite Ulyx Greekey’s “Sisyphus Rocks” provide a peaceful atmosphere for meditating and observing the scenic views.
Nor Shore Espalanade
You probably know that Staten Island has beautiful beaches, but if you don’t want to go too far inland, there’s a spot near the ferry with a great view of New York Harbor and One World Trade. The best vantage point is at the 9/11 Memorial in Staten Island, which is positioned to frame part of the New York City skyline where the Twin Towers once stood.
Pelham Bay Park
Did you think Central Park was huge? Pelham Bay Park is more than three times the size of its Manhattan sibling, making it the largest park in New York City. It has just about everything you can imagine: walking trails, barbecue areas, playgrounds, all kinds of sports fields/courts/trails, a historic mansion, a dog walking area, and 13 miles (20 km) of shoreline.