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If you tell someone that you’re going to the park in New York City, they will assume that you’re talking about Central Park. That’s because this Manhattan-based park is the best park in the entire state (and arguably one of the best parks in the world). Unfortunately, since all of the attention goes to Central Park, most people don’t realize that New York City is filled with dozens of other terrific parks that are also worthy of enjoyment. Each of the boroughs in New York City has its own parks that provide locals and visitors with a place to enjoy a great New York day.

Best Parks in Manhattan

Central Park. This park truly does deserve a list of its own since it’s such an amazing place. Covering over eight hundred acres, it is home to a zoo, a conservatory garden, a wildlife sanctuary, multiple skating rinks and theaters (both indoor and out) and seven different lakes and ponds. Central Park has been featured in numerous Hollywood movies and is recognizable even to people who have never been to New York City. Whether you’re a teenager looking for a place to skateboard or a honeymooning couple seeking a romantic carriage ride in the park, Central Park is going to have what you want.

Bowling Green. This corner neighborhood park is tiny compared to Central Park but it is a tourist attraction nonetheless. That’s because this is the oldest public park in New York City. It was built in the early eighteenth century and has served as an important part of the history of the area. Many parades begin their routes at this park and many interesting attractions are located quite close by.

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Bryant Park. There’s a good chance that you know the name of this park, especially if you’re interested in the world of New York City fashion. That’s because Bryant Park is a public park that is home to a number of different events throughout the year including the fashion shows associated with New York City’s Fashion Week. It was designated as a public space as early as the 1680’s and officially became a park in the early nineteenth century. After a series of ups and downs, it was rebuilt and renovated in the 1990’s and became the popular event park that it is today.

Best Parks in Queens

Flushing Meadows – Corona Park. This huge park (over 1200 acres and the second-largest park in New York City) was first built in the late 1930’s to serve as the home for the World’s Fair. This makes it a historic landmark as well as a public park. It has also been the home of other interesting events including a speech by Billy Graham and the annual U.S. Open Tennis tournament. For the average person just wandering through the park, the best activities at Flushing Meadows are bicycling, indoor ice skating and boating on the lake here. There are also science and art museums to keep visitors entertained.

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Alley Pond Park. This is the second largest park in Queens and another that is popular despite being only half the size of Flushing Meadows. People frequently go here because the land here is so unique from the rest of the New York City area; it consists of a combination of wetlands and tidal lands that were created when a glacier melted in the area a long time ago. Other than that, Alley Pond Park is your basic family park with playgrounds and areas for barbecue grilling.

Best Parks in Brooklyn

Marine Park. Over 500 acres of this park’s salt marsh and grassland are protected as a preserved area but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing going on here. There are tons of sports activities enjoyed here including golf, cricket, bocce and baseball. It is a favorite part of life for the people who live in the Marine Park neighborhood just outside of the park itself.

Fort Greene Park. This 30-acre park is the oldest park in Brooklyn and the site of many interesting historic attractions. For example, the Prison Ship Martyr’s Monument serves as a reminder of all of the prisoners of war who died during the American Revolution. Fort Greene Park is also a place where modern events are held including an annual youth literary festival that regularly draws large crowds.

Best Parks in The Bronx

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Pelham Bay Park. At over 2700 acres in size, this is the largest public park in New York City. It is home to the only public beach in the Bronx so it’s a favorite places for families who also enjoy the numerous playgrounds and sports fields. A wildlife sanctuary and a nineteenth century mansion / museum are other features of the park that a visitor might want to make sure to see.

Van Cortland Park. This park is over 1100 acres in size and is another one of the largest parks in New York City. It’s a favorite among people who enjoy being active because of the golf course, cricket field and bike paths located here. It is also the home of the largest freshwater lake in the Bronx so people frequently go here to be near the water.

Bronx Park. Van Cortland Park and Pelham Bay Park may be larger than this one but this one is the one that regularly draws in tourists because it has so much to offer. The Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden are both big attractions that bring people to this park. A riverwalk along the Bronx River is also a popular part of this New York City park.

Best Parks in Staten Island

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Staten Island Greenbelt. This series of continuous parks in Staten Island is considered together to be the second-largest park in the New York City area. It is also considered to be the most natural of the large parks in New York City and is a place preferred by trail hikers and outdoor runners. Woodlands, wetlands and meadows are the three things that you’ll be told you can find at this park. Despite this, there are plenty of activities to be enjoyed here including a carousel, a nature center and a recreation center.

Conference House Park. This is an interesting park because it is home to a historic landmark for which it is named. The Conference House was built in the late seventeenth century and was the site of an (unsuccessful) peace talk intended to end the Revolutionary War. The park is also a landmark area for the city because it is designated as the southernmost spot in Staten Island. Modern attractions include playgrounds, bike trails, and a pavilion where events are held.

Taking a Tour of New York City’s Best Parks

Those people who are interested in learning more about the best parks in New York City should do so by actually getting out and visiting them. Your best bet is to create an itinerary which includes at least one of the best parks from each of the five boroughs. You can plan to see the biggest parks in New York City this way or you can plan to check out some of the smaller places. You’ll be glad that you did. And the next time that someone talks about going to Central Park, you can brag that you did them one better!

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