Overwhelmed and don’t know where to start planning your next NYC getaway? With literally thousands and thousands of things to see and do, it can make even the most detailed planner manic. In this series, we’ll devour the big apple one little bite at a time. Let’s Wander our 5 favorite parks in Gotham
1 – Bryant Park
A view of the Empire State and Radiator Buildings from Bryant Park
The history of this beautiful midtown park is long and storied. Since its designation back in 1686, it has played a part in the Revolutionary War, housed the water supply for the city in a man-made Reservoir, was home to The Crystal Palace and Latting Observatory, and was rededicated in 1884 to honor the poet, longtime editor of the New York Evening Post, and civic reformer, William Cullen Bryant, and underwent several transformations to become one of the points of pride of the city that it has become today. In 1974, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated Bryant Park as a Scenic Landmark, calling it “a prime example of a park designed in the French Classical tradition.
Located adjacent to the New York Public Library, Bryant Park rests in a canyon of skyscrapers as a vibrant oasis in Midtown. The place is always bustling and filled with energy, yet it allows you also to take a breath and recharge. Masterful landscape architecture is the key to this little area of serenity. During the holiday season, the park transforms into a marketplace with food, arts & crafts, and a great ice rink to get you into the spirit.
2 – Madison Square Park
Madison Square Park is located where Madison Avenue meets 23rd Street and welcomes you to the heart of the Flatiron District. This
The Flatiron Building from the Park
understated park is filled with art and horticulture, you just need to take a moment and really look around. This park also has a long history and since art & food are always high on my list, I was interested to find out that in 1876 the Statue of Liberty’s right arm and the torch was put on display in the park as a fundraising opportunity to complete the statue’s construction and the mouth-watering food of the Shake Shake was originated from a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park to support the Madison Square Park Conservancy’s first art installation “I ♥ Taxi. You can still enjoy a tasty Shake Shack meal in the park from their newer permanent location. There’s also a great dog park here where Fido and friends can mix and mingle.
3 – The High Line
Urban renewal at its very best!
The High Line. to this Travologist, is one of the best displays of urban renew, green space development, and landscape architecture on the planet.
Built atop an elevated rail line on Manhattan’s west side, the High Line offers a quiet and vehicle-free path to traverse and escape the bustle below from Gansevoort Street in the Meat Packing District to West 34th Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues.
It is maintained and operated by Friends of the High Line who were the voices that came together to make this dream a reality. It is a true testament to how cities, large companies, and caring people can come together to make incredibly great things happen.
If you frequent the High Line – kudos, if you’ve been there before – go again, and if you have never experienced it – put it on your list. It’s always a new adventure.
4 – Riverside Park
The Washington Street Bridge from Riverside Park
Riverside Park runs along a 4 mile stretch of the Hudson River between 72nd to 158th streets and is one of the best places to catch some fresh air and get some exercise. On our last visit, we hopped on the 1-Train to the 157th Street Station and headed west to the river. Technically you could walk up one block and start at the park’s northern border but we won’t tell anyone if you started at 157th street.
Before you start your trek south make sure that you look up the Hudson River where you’ll see the Washington Street Bridge span the Hudson. This is the only bridge on the Hudson side of the river and is a beautiful structure (of course, I sorta geek out over that sort of thing!) This park was designed by renowned landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmsted and his undulating pathways and plantings are true Olmsted. There is everything you’d want in an urban park here; playgrounds, sports facilities, public gardens, art, and you can even find the answer to who is buried in Grant’s Tomb!
5 – The New York Botanical Garden
The NYBG in Autumn
The last park on our list is located outside of Manhattan but is well worth the short train ride to the Bronx. The NYBG is a must see if you are a true fan of gardens. While doing research before our original visit to the garden we were a bit skeptical of their claim of being, “one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world and the largest in any city in the United States, distinguished by the beauty of its diverse landscape and extensive collections and gardens, as well as by the scope and excellence of its programs.” Well, it surpassed our expectations and we are most definitely now Team NYBG!
You can spend a day there walking through the enormous open spaces, checking out the seasonal displays, or catching a lecture or two. There is something to see every season of the year, however, a highlight – especially for little engineers – is the Holiday Train Show. If you are young or young at heart you’ll love this exhibit. It is popular though so make sure that you get your tickets purchased early and be prepared for some big crowds.
The perception that New York is all skyscrapers and traffic is wrong in so many ways. The city has so many public open spaces and each is unique with its own history and beauty. We gave you 5, so after exploring them get out and discover a few more and remember to Be Forever Wandering But Not Lost.