Location: New York City
Top Things to do in New York City
What to do and see in New York City, New York (NY): The Best Nature & Parks
Conquering New York in one visit is impossible. Instead, hit the must-sees – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and then explore off the beaten path with visits to The Cloisters or one of the city’s libraries. Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer.
Restaurants in New York City
1. Greenacre Pocket Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By R4960NKjustinw - Hasbrouck Heights, United States
I just passed by this park while walking around the neighborhood and walked up to see what it is like. It is the most relaxing little park with a great little reasonable restaurant called Carol's Cafe inside with a nice menu. What I found relaxing about this little gem of a park is that there are lots of benches and seating under cool shade trees and a nice relaxing waterfall to sit next to while eating, reading a book or just talking to someone. It is the perfect park for those who want to put down their phones and have an actual conversation with people. Try to get a seat near the waterfall as it not only sounds nice but the cool water does spray on you on a hot day. All neighborhoods should have a little park like this.
2. World Trade Center's Liberty Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,864 reviews
Reviewed By DoreenD346 - Massachusetts, United States
The fountains/falls are beautiful and the survivor tree was lovely to see. 2 countries had put beautiful wreaths at the tree as it had been UN week in the city. This was a lovely touch. The park it self is lovely. Part of a very busy and emotional day.
3. Central Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132,882 reviews
For more than 150 years, visitors have flocked to Central Park's 843 green acres in the heart of Manhattan. Since 1980, the Park has been managed by the Central Park Conservancy, in partnership with the public. Central Park is open 6 am to 1 am daily. Visit the official website of Central Park to learn more about Park happenings and activities and to learn how you to help Central Park!
Reviewed By 242SharonC - Mississauga, Canada
This is such a great way to spend the afternoon- it’s huge, so lots of walking but also lots of benches to rest and enjoy. You can rent a bike, row a boat, ride in a horse drawn carriage, visit the zoo, stop for ice cream or lunch, or just wander and take in the various sculptures like Alice in Wonderland, Nathaniel Hawthorne, John Lennon’s Imagine mosaic. You cannot visit Manhattan without doing Central Park. Short walk to a lot of hotels and shopping as well.
4. Hamilton Grange National Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 191 reviews
This national memorial managed by the National Park Service was the home of statesman and United States Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. Restored and reopened in 2011, the public can enjoy exhibits on some of Hamilton's achievements and challenges on the ground floor, a brief introductory film on his incredible rise from an orphan in the Caribbean to an indespensible molder of the early nation, and visit the furnished first floor by scheduled tour.
Reviewed By canebrook - New York City, United States
Very worthwhile visit, tucked away in a nice neighborhood in upper Manhattan, with an informative short video. Also very close to the CUNY campus, which is beautiful and worth a visit in itself.
5. Rockefeller Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Battery Park City offers several playgrounds, with bucket swings, a huge climbing structure, and a kid-powered bike carousel. Borrow balls, Hula Hoops or board games and hang out on the soft, clean grass.
6. Union Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,444 reviews
Union Square has a year-round greenmarket, where you can sample goods from local farmers. It also has several playgrounds, a lively holiday market, and benches where you can watch a slice of New York go by.
Reviewed By Dxerri2 - Center Moriches, United States
This is a beautiful park located in lower Manhattan it connects the East and West sides, with a lot of stores and restaurants
7. Bryant Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23,471 reviews
Bryant Park has a French-style merry-go-round, open year-round, plus a well-maintained lawn, with chairs and tables. The outdoor Reading Room has picture books and summertime story times. In winter. Take a spin on the free ice-skating rink. The park also has clean bathrooms, a rarity in midtown.
Reviewed By Passport590427 - New York City, United States
It feels really magical at Christmas time, with its amazing ice-skating rink and the Christmas market, which offers a variety of good exotic food & superb views of the lit buildings around and the amazing frozen fountain
8. Washington Square Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,587 reviews
A 9.75-acre city park in Greenwich Village, characterized by its large, central fountain, and known as a major center of community activity for the neighborhood residents.
Reviewed By Luciafernandez62
This is a very interesting place to visit if you want to understand the feeling and the vibes of this Manhattan neighborhood. Its most distinctive feature is the Washington Square Arch, a triumphal marble arch built in 1892. I visited this lively square on a Sunday, and it was really crowded, with children and their parents, and lots of young people strolling around, taking pictures, playing games, and having a good time. Under the arch there was a man playing a very large piano, surrounded by people enjoying the show. The square is surrounded by the buildings of NYU; therefore lots of students and faculty are always around the park in their free time. You can have a picnic at the square, play chess on the stone tables, talk to your friends, hang around the large circular fountain located in the center of the square, enjoy the different types of plants, flowers and trees, or just relax sitting on a bench.
9. Conservatory Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 384 reviews
Located across from the Museum of the City of New York, this Central Park oasis offers six acres of magnificent flowers and trees.
10. Carl Schurz Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By petezippy - Delray Beach, United States
What a wonderful park. A great place to watch boats go by on the water, walk around wonderfully maintained gardens or catch a concert during the summer. A very decent sized park that is a great escape from the city although it's just steps away from the major streets. Truly worth checking out!
