The best parks in New York City

If you're looking to enjoy the outdoors in New York City, there are plenty of parks to choose from. From the tranquil Central Park to the more secluded Prospect Park, these green spaces offer a variety of activities for all ages and interests.

Best of all, most New York City parks are free! We've compiled our favorite NYC parks to help you enjoy some greenery on your trip to the Big Apple.

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Central Park

Naturally, probably the world’s most famous park makes it to the top of the list. If you're looking for a peaceful escape in the middle of bustling New York City, Central Park is your spot.

With more than 800 acres to explore, there are plenty of activities on offer at this iconic green space. Best of all? Most attractions in Central Park are free! Pack a picnic in summer or test your skating skills at the Wollman ice rink in winter.

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Prospect Park

Prospect Park was reimagined by urban planners Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who are best known for their work on New York's Central Park.

People-watching is easy at places like Long Meadow and Nethermead, while the Ravine's forested expanse is a tranquil forest in the middle of a bustling New York City borough. Make a point to see the newly renovated Endale Arch and Concert Grove Pavilion if you go this year. 

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Gantry Plaza State Park

Dotted with colorful umbrellas, Gantry Plaza has an eclectic mix of restaurants that are perfect for lunch or brunch.

But the real reason to visit is the sublime view you'll get of midtown Manhattan's skyscrapers. Head here at night to see everything looking all pretty and lit up!

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Pelham Bay Park

Spread out over more than 2000 acres of woodland and salt marsh, Pelham Bay is one of the biggest parks in New York City.

Best known for its nature trails (especially around Orchard Beach). A former landfill, the park is one of the largest in the local area, and it's definitely worth a visit for the trails alone.

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Brooklyn Bridge Park

Some of the city's parks were designed to look like rural fields or to protect tranquil woods. In contrast, the Brooklyn Bridge Park was not, and this is why it has become so well-known.

Some of Brooklyn's waterfront has been turned into an 85-acre park with attractions including Jane's Carousel, a restored merry-go-round from the 1920s and riverside esplanades with stunning vistas of Manhattan.

Pier 5 features a playground and sports fields, while Pier 2 is home to a basketball court and an ice skating rink.

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Bryant Park

Another popular New York City attraction is Bryant Park. Located in Midtown Manhattan, this urban park has become one of the most well-known green spaces in the city, and it's easy to see why!

Like many of New York City's parks, there are plenty of activities available for visitors including ice skating during winter months; plus you might even make friends with some local squirrels along your way!

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Washington Square Park   

With its monuments like the impressive Washington Arch that watches over the greenery below, Washington Square Park is another great choice if you're visiting NYC.

With a history spanning more than 200 years (and counting), this famous landmark features unique gardens as well as an outdoor performance space where street musicians and speakers entertain the crowds.

See Washington Square Park and dozens of other New York must-sees with a hop-on hop-off New York sightseeing bus ticket.

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Tompkins Square Park     

Another park perfect for families due to its outdoor space which includes playgrounds as well as fountains children can play around in; Tompkins Square Park also offers bike rentals if you feel like exploring outside the perimeter.

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The High Line

On 2009, an abandoned stretch of elevated railway track in Manhattan's Lower West Side was converted into a lush, green park known as The High Line.

The nearly two-mile promenade is now overgrown with plants and flowers. Allow yourself plenty of time to meander around it and take in the sculptures, shallow ponds (particularly alluring on a hot day), Chelsea Market and the Hudson River panorama.

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New York Botanical Garden

In Brooklyn, the New York Botanical Garden is a welcome escape from city life. The garden offers everything from seasonal flower displays to greenhouses and a wide variety of plants in their permanent collection.

Tickets are needed, so book in advance to avoid queues or disappointment.

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McCarran Park

This Brooklyn park is well-liked by the local hipsters and is still a household name with families. Baseball, football, and soccer fields are all there, as are dog runs, tennis courts, and other recreational facilities.

Lorimer Street and Driggs Avenue both include playgrounds. SummerScreen, an outdoor film festival, also takes place here, and it features a mix of '90s nostalgia and current favourites.

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Fort Greene Park

Enjoy 30 acres of land created by Olmstead and Vaux with open meadows, playgrounds, and a specific area for leisure activities of various kinds. If all you want is a quiet place to think, you won't have any trouble locating one.

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Inwood Hill Park

This gorgeous New York City green spot is perched on the northernmost tip of Manhattan. Inwood Hill Park takes you back in time to a different era in the history of New York City.

Caves, valleys, and ridges all arose from thousands of years of glacial movements in this prehistoric landscape and make for an excellent day out for explorers young and old.

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Astoria Park

This gem of the New York City parks system is located on the western side of Queens. Best known for its spectacular view looking out onto Hell Gate Bridge, this park also features a public pool with water slides and diving boards.

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Flushing Meadows Corona Park

One word: Unisphere! This 12-story high representation of Earth in metal has been standing sentinel over Flushing Meadows since 1964.

You can't miss it when you're at Citi Field during the World's Fair tennis tournament each year or any other time when there are crowds gathered to cheer on their favorite athletes playing here in Queens County.