Affectionately dubbed “the concrete jungle’, New York City is known for being a sprawling metropolis. Home to some of the most famous buildings in the world, the Big Apple is also home to hundreds of square miles of green space. Across the five boroughs, there are approximately 1,700 parks. As we are spoilt for choice in the city, we have selected our top parks to visit in the New York City boroughs!
Top Parks To Visit in the New York City Boroughs:
Manhatten
Central Park
We start the list with possibly the most famous park in the world. Can you really say that you have been a tourist in New York City without having visited Central Park? Located between the Upper East and Upper West side of Manhatten, Central Park is the most visited urban park in the United States.
There is something for everyone in Central Park. Attractions include natural landscapes such as the Ramble and Lake, Sheep Meadow and The Pond. It is home to wooded loops and trails, perfect for the avid walker or runner.
Central Park is not just a green space, it is also home to a number of activities including Central Park Zoo, catching a play at the Delacorte Theatre and renting a rowboat from the Loeb Boathouse.
Not just an iconic New York attraction, Central Park is also the most filmed location in the world. No wonder it saw an astounding 42 million people visit in 2019!
Brooklyn
Prospect Park
Nestled between Park Slope and Crown Heights, the 585-acre park was designed by the same team behind Central Park and is known as the crown jewel of Brooklyn. Opened in 1867, it quickly grew in popularity following the success of Manhattans Central Park.
Prospect Park is an oasis to its surrounding residents and is flanked by some of Brooklyn’s most historic neighbourhoods and iconic brownstone houses. Built-in 1905, the Boathouse is one of the first buildings in NYC to be declared historic landmark status and provides a breathtaking backdrop for elegant events.
The park attracts a wide variety of visitors, cyclists, runners, power walkers and dog walkers alike! Attractions to Prospect Park also include the zoo, boating lake and seasonal ice rink. The park is also home to a year-round farmers market every Saturday at the Grand Army Plaza entrance.
Queens
Flushing Meadows
Queens doesn’t always seem to make it onto peoples tourist itineraries, but it is rich in New York history. The Flushing Meadows- Corona Park is one of the best places in the borough to experience local “New Yorker” life. Achieving its fame by hosting two World Fairs
If you are an active person and a fan of sports, Flushing Meadows is the place for you! You’ll find the home of the New York Mets at Citi Field, watch a game of tennis at the Arthur Ashe Stadium or play 18 holes at the golf centre.
If sport isn’t your thing, the meadows are still the place for you. Botanical Gardens, lakes and barbecuing pits are there for all to use and enjoy.
Staten Island
Silver Lake Park
Created as a response to the success of Central and Prospect Park, Silver Lake is a hub for its neighbours who want to make the most of the recreational space.
You would have guessed from the name, the key feature of the park is its central lake. Located in the heart of the park, Silver Lake is a hub for visitors and a must-see for Staten!
The parks 209 acres is home to recreational activities such as tennis, golf, baseball and children’s play areas. Silver Lake isn’t only home for fitness fanatics, it is also home to wonderful natural sights. Walking along the north shore of the lake, you can take in the sights and sweet smell of the crabapple trees!
The Bronx
Pelham Bay Park
The largest public park in New York City, Pelham Bay Park spans 2,772 acres of the Bronx. Sat on the West Coast of the Bronx
Pelham Bay Park is one of the oldest inhabited sections of New York Island and was once the home of Dutch settlers who arrived in 1625. Today, the park features miles of hiking trails, golf courses, a beach and 13 miles of saltwater shoreline.
The park also homes a variety of different habitats. Largest of which is forests, followed by salt marshes, salt flats, meadows, mixed scrub and freshwater marshes. Truly something for everyone!
Whether you are visiting New York City for a holiday or plan to relocate for an extended stay, you’ll need somewhere to stay where you can live comfortably. SITU has a range of serviced accommodations in New York City that offer a ‘home away from home” experience, equipped with all the facilities and amenities anyone would need to enjoy a self-catered lifestyle.
To learn more about our range of properties in New York City, or get in touch with a member of the SITU team by either calling 01392 690 079 or emailing [email protected].