Outdoor Spots in NYC Worth Visiting This Spring and Summer
The seasons of warm weather are eagerly approaching and there's nothing better than spending time outdoors and enjoying the amazing city around us. The great New York City has so much to offer, so here is a list of some beautiful spots to enjoy this upcoming spring and summer.
Central Park
Central Park, often referred to as New York's backyard, is filled with diverse nature, historic architecture, and charming attractions. This 843-acre park is one of the greatest assets Manhattan offers, as it is the perfect place to escape the loud city. Consisting of trails, meadows, hills, and open fields, Central Park is great if you want to participate in activities or wish to picnic with friends.
With gorgeous architecture and lake views, The Bethesda Terrace is one of the park's most visited and lively places. Considering its prime location and beautiful scenery, talented street performers, locals, and tourists gather around to enjoy some live music on warm evenings. You can visit the Belvedere Castle to see some more incredible views of the park and the NYC skyline, or enjoy the peaceful oasis of the Conservatory Garden. Along with that, you can rent some sailboats with friends and enjoy the Motel Boat Pond and sail to Bow Bridge, one of the most photographed locations in Central Park. After enjoying everything there is to experience, take a trip to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, conveniently located on the central east side of the park. Central Park has countless things to do and enjoy, so make sure to not go a summer without visiting.
The High line
The High Line is an abandoned freight rail that was transformed into a beautiful park that reminds visitors of New York's old history. The rail line was initially built in 1934 and was used to carry meat, groceries, and factory goods on 10th and 11th Street. The track closed in 1980, and with time, weeds and vines grew on the rusted metal creating the beginning of the park. The elevated rail line is 1.45 miles long and located in the Chelsea area.
When The High Line first opened, tens of thousands had walked its path in weeks, as it is an extremely popular area and has reason to be. This park is essentially a walkway surrounded by lots of greenery and benches for lounging, including incredible views of New York City's urban landscape along the Hudson River. For the artists out there, there is also artwork displayed all throughout the trail and streets full of art galleries nearby. The High Line is also ideal for anyone looking to shop, as it leads to the Vessel in Hudson Yards. Food vendors often come to sell delicious treats as well, making this park the prime spot for spending a day with friends and loved ones.
Little Island
Also in Chelsea, Little Island is a man-made park that floats on the Hudson. This is a must-see location, as it is like no other park and has an unbelievable view of Manhattan. Little Island is filled with diverse landscapes and hundreds of species of plants and flowers along a path circling the entire island.
This place also has many lawns and slopes if you just want to sit and relax. It features two performance areas, one of which is an amphitheater overlooking the Hudson where you are able to enjoy music, dance, poetry, and comedy shows. The park also has food carts, ice cream trucks, interactive illusions, and activities, making it suitable for all ages.
Considering its lively location, Little Island has many neighboring places to check out as well, such as Chelsea Market, The Starbucks Reserve Roastery, or the one-of-a-kind Whitney Museum of American Art. Not only is this park lively and exciting to visit, but the area makes it the absolute perfect place to visit on a sunny day spent in the city.
The Met Cloisters
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world's most well-known museums and the largest art museum in the Americas. However, many don't know about its second location in Upper Manhattan—The Met Cloisters. Visiting this place is surreal, making visitors feel as if they traveled to medieval times. The Middle Ages were a significant inspiration for the architect and designer, Charles Collens. This museum intends to preserve medieval European art, as the whole space comprises of medieval architecture and encompasses a series of chapels and themed galleries.
The Cloisters holds a collection of about 5,000 works of art — including sculptures, statuary, paintings, and stained-glass windows, all dating back to the 12th century. Aside from the breathtaking art, a unique feature of this museum is its gardens. The Cloisters have three gorgeous gardens containing authentic herbs, flowers, and other plants commonly used as food, medicine, magic, and art supplies during medieval times.
Arched walkways surround an open sky courtyard on the main level of the museum, transporting you away from the urban feel of New York City. Though the Cloisters are a bit far for most, the history you experience and the charming gardens you see make this a day trip worthwhile.
Pier 35
Pier 35 is a relatively new addition to the list of New York City attractions. This pier is stunning 24/7 and is located on the Lower East Side overlooking the East River. The park is part of a 2-mile-long waterfront, filled with paths for walking and biking. Due to its balance of elements from nature and the city, Pier 35 is often thought of as an eco-park that showcases urban sustainability. With astounding views, this spot allows visitors to see sights of both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, as well as the Statue of Liberty and the top of the One World Trade Center.
The pier also offers lots of seating and four porch swings, which are the highlight of this pier for many since there is nothing quite like swinging and enjoying mesmerizing city views. If you get a little hungry after all that swinging, there are also amazing options for food with Chinatown and Little Italy close by.
Prospect Park
Prospect Park is one of Brooklyn's top destinations for visitors and residents. This park resembles a smaller Central Park, as they were designed by the same creators. This 526-acre park is filled with activities and beautiful greenery and is home to some of Brooklyn's remaining indigenous forest and cherry blossom trees. The Prospect Park Zoo sits on the northeastern side of the park, which is a main attraction. With indoor and outdoor exhibits, almost 900 animals and 200 species reside in this zoo.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is another popular attraction in this park with gardens that house over 18,000 plants and many other areas to explore. Though this isn't part of the park, next to the botanical gardens is The Brooklyn Museum. This museum is the third largest museum in New York City and includes 1.5 million pieces of artwork, which is definitely worth the visit if you are at the park.
Prospect Park also offers alluring historical sites. You can see the Art-Beaux Prospect Park Boathouse and the Audubon Center inside, as well as the Litchfield Villa — a gorgeous historic home. This park is fantastic for relaxing or even if you intend to have a busy, fulfilling day.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a highly action-packed place that consists of multiple piers, parks, and restaurants. This area covers 1.3 miles of Brooklyn’s waterfront, with spectacular views of Manhattan’s skylines and the New York Harbor. Similar to Pier 35, The Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty are a few more landmarks seen from this location. This park has plenty of open space, paths for walking and biking, and many recreational facilities. Pier 2 is the perfect spot for anyone interested in fitness and sports. You can partake in many activities here, including basketball, ping pong, pickleball, hockey, roller skating, swing sets, and even seasonal kayaking programs. There are also open fields and courts for you to play your own games on, such as the soccer fields at Pier 5 and the volleyball courts at Pier 6.
Aside from sports, the area is also known to be great for various other activities, such as grabbing a bite to eat or visiting a museum you stumble upon. Wether you want to take in some gorgeous sunset views, be active, or enjoy a nice meal, something for everyone can be found here. While planning your trip, it is important to note that different areas have different hours, so check the website and plan your visit accordingly.
Domino Park
Domino Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is a unique and fun park that has stole the hearts of many New Yorkers. The area used to be the Domino Sugar factory, which was known to be the most productive sugar refinery in the world and produced most of the sugar consumed in the U.S. Even though the refinery closed in 2004, elements of the factory still remain dispersed among the park. Over 30 salvaged artifacts, like the gantry cranes, syrup tanks, and screw conveyors are scattered throughout the park in various creative ways. This park is great for kids because of its amusing playground designed to resemble the old factory, which even incorporates some of the original facility material.
Additionally, there's a fog bridge and fountains for kids to splash around in when the weather gets warmer. A highlight of this park is the elevated walkway that showcases the factory's artifacts and incredible views. From this waterfront, you can often spot ferries, tugboats, and sailboats, along with the breathtaking NYC skyline. This park also offers spaces for active people, with its beach volleyball court and a turf-covered playing field. Before you end the day and head home, make sure to stop by Tacocina, a colorful taco stand with excellent Mexican food.
Elizabeth Street Garden
Elizabeth Street Garden is a beautiful city oasis that has remarkable history within its perimeters. This garden became a public recreational space almost 200 years ago and still remains one of New York City's hidden gems. Tucked in between apartments, restaurants, and the bustling city, this acre of land surrounds you with flourishing greenery and wonderful statuary. Many sculptures in this garden are from the Gilded Age estates, such as limestone carvings and the famous Boy with Thorn sculpture. Along with this, there are also two pieces created by world-renowned street artist JR.
This garden lies in NoLita, a very popular area of downtown Manhattan with many things to enjoy. Famous Soho shops on Spring Street are just a few blocks away, and delicious food in Little Italy can be found in just a 7-minute walk. The New Museum, Manhattan's only museum dedicated to contemporary art, is just a few minutes away from the garden as well. Elizabeth Street Garden is a lovely spot to visit on a sunny day for a peaceful time with numerous activities around.
Carl Schurz Park
The last park on this list is rumored to be one of New York's best kept secrets. It is a small, picturesque park located by the East River in Yorkville, Manhattan. Carl Schurz Park has a local feel to it and offers comfort to many of its visitors. The East River, Roosevelt Island Lighthouse, and the Triborough Bridge are a few landmarks that are visible from this park. Gracie Mansion, an 18th-century mansion that serves as the mayor's official residence, is also a significant attraction.
Although the park makes for a relaxing solo trip, this is also a fantastic spot to bring kids and dogs to, as there is plenty of space to run around, a playground, and two dog runs. Also, there is a basketball court and walking path for anyone who wants to stay active. This park has gorgeous landscaping and provides an optimal space for reading, picnicking, or just relaxing by the water.
Will you visit any of these spots this spring/summer? Leave a comment below!