Trek to the top of the park and you’ll be rewarded with awesome views of midtown. There is also a great farmer’s market on the weekend and a crowded pool in the summer.
Not the cleanest or nicest park around, but it does have its charms – for instance, it hosts the largest Halloween Dog Parade in the country!
This Viking-inspired park might be the most hidden greenspace in all of the five boroughs. It gets quite crowded in the summer. See if you can spot one of the famous Bay Ridge parrots!
The large Astroturf field is great for scoccer, baseball or quidditch games and is lit at night. Fido will love the dog run, which has beautiful foliage and benches for his owners.
Start your visit at the Greenmarket – where you’re likely to drop a lot of hard earned loot – and then visit the dog run, ending with the performers/college students at the south end of the park.
Small and hilly oasis that is a haven for the locals – it’s the perfect place to take a stroll with the kids and the dog. The playground is a bit wild. Visit the ski hill in the winter.
It’s like Gramercy Park, but more secret and you don’t need a key! Go visit these impeccably kept gardens before a proposed skyscraper ruins the experience.
Make a point to visit the upper floors of the castle (only accessible by narrow winding stairs) and enjoy the best views of the park from the park. Call ahead to check if they’re open.
A true escape from the city and the place to go for a challenging cross-country run or to let Fido run for what seems like miles and miles.
Come early on a Saturday morning and hit the Greenmarket to get provisions for your picnic in this bohemian wonderland.
Not always open – afternoon from May to October – but well worth making a special trip to take a tour of this amazingly manicured garden.
Besides the Shake Shack and the lines of people, check out the dog run, the views of the Flatiron, the featured art, the fountain and the Calexico Cart.
Just across the river is this beautiful oasis that is never overrun with people! Enjoy running (there also a track), biking, tennis, a play or a relaxing picnic. They also have free WiFi
Another great place to enjoy a great run or bike ride. For those more adventurous types, you can go Kayaking or dive in for a triathlon-training swim.
We love this perfect and secluded oasis - bring your lunch, enjoy an afternoon read or soak up some sun next to the beautiful waterfall.
