Best Parks in New York

Below is a list of the top and leading Parks in New York. To help you find the best Parks located near you in New York, our team at Kev’s Best put together our own list based on this rating points list. 

New York’s Best Parks:

The top rated Parks in New York are:

• Central Park
• Bryant Park
• Washington Square Park
• The High Line
• Theodore Roosevelt Park

Central Park

Central Park is an urban park in Manhattan, New York City. It is located between the Upper West Side and Upper East Side, roughly bounded by Fifth Avenue on the east, Central Park West (Eighth Avenue) on the west, Central Park South (59th Street) on the south, and Central Park North (110th Street) on the north. Central Park is the most visited urban park in the United States, with an estimated 37–38 million visitors annually, and one of the most filmed locations in the world. In terms of area, Central Park is the fifth largest park in New York City, covering 843 acres (341 ha).

Products/Services:

The Ramble and Lake; several amusement attractions including Wollman Rink, Central Park Carousel, and the Central Park Zoo; Sheep Meadow; the Central Park Mall; Bethesda Terrace; the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir; and the Delacorte Theater that hosts Shakespeare in the Park programs in the summertime. The park also has sports facilities, including the North Meadow Recreation Center, basketball courts, baseball fields, and soccer fields.

LOCATION:

Address: New York, NY, USA
Phone: (212) 310 6600
Website: www.centralparknyc.org

REVIEWS:

“A necessary stop on any visit to NYC. During the summer, the park gets you some much needed shade and is an experience in and of itself. Lots of street performers/buskers offer entertainment, but the park itself is enough of a show and needs nothing else to recommend it. The architecture of the bridges and tunnels is amazing, there are plenty of unique points of interest, and you even have a zoo if that is what you are interested in.” -Trevor Suelzle

Bryant Park

Bryant Park is a 9.603-acre (38,860 m2) privately managed public park located in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and between 40th and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan. Although technically the Main Branch of the New York Public Library is located within the park, in practice it forms the eastern boundary of the park’s green space, making Sixth Avenue the park’s primary entrance. Bryant Park is located entirely over an underground structure that houses the library’s stacks, which were built in the 1980s when the park was closed to the public and excavated; the new library facilities were built below ground level while the park was restored above it.

Products/Services:

Sculptures, Lawn, Trees, Reading Room, Bank of America Winter Village, Events

LOCATION:

Address: New York, NY 10018, USA
Phone: (212) 768 4242
Website: www.bryantpark.org

REVIEWS:

“I love this park. It’s a great place to linger and people watch. The fountain is small but the sound of the water when your near it is relaxing. The carousel is adorable. The trees are lovely. There are a couple of concessions for coffee or a snack. Just beautiful.” -Deann Bisciglia

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is a 9.75-acre (39,500 m2) public park in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan, New York City. One of the best known of New York City’s public parks, it is an icon as well as a meeting place and center for cultural activity.[1] It is operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

The park is an open space, dominated by the Washington Square Arch at the northern gateway to the park, with a tradition of celebrating nonconformity. The park’s fountain area has long been one of the city’s popular spots for residents and tourists. Most of the buildings surrounding the park now belong to New York University, but many have at one time served as homes and studios for artists. Some of the buildings have been built by NYU while others have been converted from their former uses into academic and residential buildings.

Products/Services:

Bathrooms, Eateries, Playgrounds, Wi-Fi Hot Spots, Dog-friendly Areas, Great Trees, Spray Showers

LOCATION:

Address: New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 639 9675
Website: www.nycgovparks.org/parks/washington-square-park

REVIEWS:

“This place is so entertaining. I’ve been here many times but I think a lovely Saturday on a summer day takes the cake. There are performers and all sorts of fun things. On this certain day everyone was blowing bubbles. Lots of interesting people watching. Oh and the pigeon performers who are the best.” -Whitney Zelig

The High Line

The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long (2.33 km) elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan in New York City. The High Line’s design is a collaboration between James Corner Field Operations (Project Lead), Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Piet Oudolf. The abandoned spur has been redesigned as a “living system” drawing from multiple disciplines which include landscape architecture, urban design, and ecology. Since opening in 2009, the High Line has become an icon of contemporary landscape architecture.

Products/Services:

Naturalized Paintings, views of the city and the Hudson River, Cultural Attractions, Sound Installation by by Stephen Vitiello

LOCATION:

Address: New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 500 6035
Website: www.thehighline.org

REVIEWS:

“Loved this walk. Some of the views across the NY streets are fantastic. We started at the Vessel. Would have loved to have climbed this structure but with over 2000 steps we thought no thanks! What a brilliant idea turning an old railway into a public walkway. The art along the way along with the plants make for some great photography.” -Michael Booth

Theodore Roosevelt Park

Theodore Roosevelt Park surrounds the American Museum of Natural History on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Its name honors Theodore Roosevelt, who served as New York City Police Commissioner, Governor of New York State, Vice-President under William McKinley, and following McKinley’s assassination, the youngest man to serve as President of the United States.

Products/Services:

American Museum of Natural History, Paths, Grassy Areas, Dog Run

LOCATION:

Address: 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024
Phone: (212) 639 9675
Website: www.friendsofrooseveltpark.org

REVIEWS:

“There is a sprinkler and wading pool here tucked right behind the American Museum of Natural History. It’s great for toddlers because the pool is about 5 inches deep. There is also a great view of the planets in the planetarium. There was nice shade from the building and some trees with benches close by.” -Matthew Lavoie