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If Central Park makes you think, “Been there, done that,” head to one of the city’s many waterfront parks. Many New Yorkers are just now discovering some of these green getaways, too.
Battery Park City
Built on landfill jutting out into the Hudson River, Battery Park City is a high-rise residential neighborhood split in two by the World Financial Center and its marina. The Hudson River Park promenade borders Battery Park City along the West Side Highway. There are several reasonably priced outdoor restaurants with stunning views of the Statue of Liberty. If you have kids, don’t miss the excellent Teardop Park, with its huge slide, and the park’s newest attraction, SeaGlass, an aquatic-themed carousel ride that simulates a descent to the ocean’s floor.
Getting Here
By subway: South Battery Park: 1, R to Rector Place; 4, 5 to Bowling Green. North Battery Park: 1, 2, 3, A, C to Chambers Street; E to World Trade Center. By bus: M9, M20, M22.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Over in Brooklyn, a former industrial site running along a narrow stretch of Brooklyn waterfront from Vinegar Hill to Brooklyn Heights has been turned into a 1.3-mile-long park featuring grassy lawns, rocky outcrops, bike paths, playgrounds, sports fields, basketball courts, and a carousel. There are picnic areas, seasonal food stands by high-profile restaurants, music and film festivals in summer, water-taxi service to Governors Island, and thousands of visitors and locals taking advantage of it all. Perhaps the best feature of this new hipster destination is one that’s been here all along: the picture-postcard views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and the Manhattan skyline.
Getting Here
By subway: A, C to High Street; F to York Street. Instead of taking the subway, you could take a water taxi ( www.nywatertaxi.com ) to Fulton Ferry Landing, the East River Ferry ( www.nywaterway.com ) to Fulton Ferry Landing, or by walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.
The East River Park
This recently landscaped waterfront park, stretching from Montgomery Street to 12th Street along the Manhattan side of the East River, is one of the Lower East Side’s best-kept secrets, with ball fields, bike paths, tennis courts, playgrounds, gardens, and picnic areas—along with impressive views of the Brooklyn skyline and the Williamsburg Bridge. You have to cross a footbridge over the FDR Drive to get to the park.
Getting Here
By subway: J, M, Z to Essex Street; F to 2nd Avenue.
Governors Island
A recent addition to the city’s parks scene, this little island feels like a small town just 800 yards from the tip of Manhattan. Tourists love the unparalleled views of the New York Harbor and Lower Manhattan, and locals love the out-of-city experience. The 172-acre park, built in part from landfill from subway excavations, was a base for the U.S. Army and Coast Guard for almost two centuries. Until 2003, it was off-limits to the public, which could be why the 19th-century homes here are so well preserved. The island is open to the public daily from May to October, with programs including art showings, concerts, and family events. You can take a bike over on the ferry or rent one on the island. For more information, including updated ferry schedules and a calendar of activities, go to www.govisland.org .
Getting Here
A $2 seven-minute ferry ride (free on weekend mornings) takes passengers to Governors Island from a dock at the restored, cast-iron Battery Maritime Building (10 South Street), next to the Staten Island Ferry. Get to the ferry by subway: 1 to South Ferry; 4, 5 to Bowling Green; or R to Whitehall Street. By bus: M1 (weekdays only), M6, M9, and M15.
The High Line
Once an elevated railroad track that serviced the long-ago factories along the lower west side, the High Line was converted into a park (really more of a promenade) that integrates landscaping with rail-inspired design and provides a fresh perspective on the city. Vegetation here includes 210 species of plants, trees, and shrubs intended to reflect the wild plants that flourished for decades after the tracks were abandoned in 1980. The park—30 feet above street level—is open between Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District and 34th Street in Midtown. Sweeping views of the Hudson River, an extended sight line of the Meatpacking District, and the Whitney Museum of American Art are the highlights. For information on tours, public programs, and a calendar of events, go to www.thehighline.org or call | 212/500–6035 . Note that the park is often extremely crowded, especially on afternoons and weekends.
Getting Here
The High Line is accessible at Gansevoort and every two blocks between 14th and 30th Streets with elevator access at 14th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, and 34th Streets (no bikes allowed). It’s two blocks west of the subway station at 14th Street and 8th Avenue, served by the A, C, E, and L. You can also take the C, E to 23rd Street and walk two blocks west. The 1, 2, 3 stops at 14th Street and 7th Avenue, three blocks away. By bus: M11 to Washington Street, M11 to 9th Avenue, M14 to 9th Avenue, M23 to 10th Avenue, M34 to 10th Avenue.
The Hudson River Park
This 5-mile greenway park hugs the Hudson River from 59th Street to Battery Park. Although the park has a unified design, it’s divided into seven distinct sections that reflect the different Manhattan neighborhoods just across the West Side Highway. Along with refurbished piers with grass and trees, there are also attractions like the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum at Pier 86 across from 46th Street. A few blocks south, the Circle Line and World Yacht offer boat tours of the Hudson. At Piers 96 and 40, the Downtown Boat House ( www.downtownboathouse.org ) offers free kayaking. There’s a mammoth sports center, Chelsea Piers, between Piers 59 and 61, and a playground, mini-golf course, and beach volleyball court at Pier 25. The park also sponsors free tours and classes, including free fishing. For a calendar of events and activities, go to www.hudsonriverpark.org . North of Hudson River Park is one of Manhattan’s better-known parks, Riverside Park.
Getting Here
Hudson River Park is on the far west side of the city, adjacent to the West Side Highway. Crosstown buses at 14th, 23rd, and 42nd Streets will get you close, but you’ll still have to walk a bit. It’s worth it.