Free Parks in NYC
1. Battery Park
The Battery Park is not only a recreational space, but also a historical center and public art museum. It is adorned with monuments, gardens, sculptures and memorials, and provides great views of the waterfronts. At the northwestern end of the park lies the Castle Clinton which is a fort dating to the early 1800s. It is also popular for its SeaGlass Carousel, which allows you to have a mystical underwater experience.
Location: Battery Pl, State St and Whitehall St, Manhattan, NY (Take me to the map)
Public Transport
Subway:
4, 5 to Bowling Green
R to Whitehall
1 to South Ferry
Bus: M5, M15, M15 , M20 to South Ferry
Hours:
CAROUSEL at The Battery
SeaGlass Hours:
Monday- Sunday: 10am-10pm
Phone Number: 212-344-3491
2. Bryant Park
Bryant Park has a variety of fun things to offer for free- outdoor sports, juggling classes, knitting sessions, story time for kids and lots more. From June to August, it has free outdoor movie screenings as well. And in winter, you can ice skate at The Pond! It is the perfect resting spot for thousands of tourists and New York locals.
(Take me to the Bryant Park’s official website)
Location:5th and 6th Avenue, W 40 St and W 42 St, Manhattan, NY (Take me to the map)
Public Transport
Subway: B, D, F, M, or 7 to 42nd and Bryant Park
Bus:M1, M2, M3, M4, M5,M7, M42, Q32, X17C, X17J, X22, X22A,X30, X31
BxM2, QM1, QM2, QM3,QM4, QM5, QM6, QM20
Hours:
January– February
Daily– 7:00am to 10:00pm
March
While Winter Village is operating
Daily– 7:00am to 10:00pm
After Winter Village closes for the season
Daily– 7:00am to 7:00pm
after Daylight Saving change
Daily – 7:00am to 8:00pm
April
Daily– 7:00am to 10:00pm
May
Daily– 7:00am to 11:00pm
June– September
Monday to Friday – 7:00am to midnight
Saturday and Sunday – 7:00am to 11:00pm
October
Daily – 7:00am to 10:00pm
November – December
Daily – 7:00am to 10:00pm
Phone Number: 212-768-4242
3. Brooklyn Bridge Park
The Brooklyn Bridge Park provides a spellbinding view of the Lower Manhattan skyline. It is famous for its great waterfront views as it spans 1.3 miles across the East River. In addition to the newest roller skating rink, the park also allows its users to enjoy activities like basketball, kayaking, dance, aerobics, and much more.
Take me to Brooklyn Bridge Park’s website
Location: 334 Furman Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Take me to the map)
Public Transport
Subway:
A or C to High Street
F to York Street
2 or 3 to Clark Street
R to Court Street
2, 3, 4, or 5 to Borough Hall
Bus:
B25 to Fulton Ferry Landing
B63 to Loop Road on Pier 6
B61 to Atlantic Ave. & Hicks St.
B67 to Jay St. & York St.
Hours:
Pier 2: 6am- 11pm
Pier 5: 6am- 11pm
Pier 6: Volleyball Courts: 6am- 11pm
99 Plymouth: 8am- 11pm
Playgrounds are open dawn to dusk
The remainder of the park is open 6am- 1am
Phone Number: 718-222-9939
4. Central Park
Central Park is the most famous NYC park. It is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and a hub of all recreational activities. From fishing at the Harlem Meer Pond, to birding, boating, basketball, and sunbathing- this park has something for everyone! To have a perfect winter day, you can indulge in activities such as sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing at the park.
Take me to Central Park’s website
Location: 14 East 60th St, New York, NY 10022 (Take me to the map)
Public Transport
Subway:
N, R, or Q to 57th & 7th
2 or 3 to 59th and Columbus Circle
B or C to 110th street, 103rd Street, 96th Street, 86th Street, 81st Street, and 72nd Street along Central Park West
A, B, C, D, or 1 to 59th Street, Columbus Circle, Broadway, and Central Park West
Bus: M10, M1, M2, M3, or M4
Hours: Monday- Sunday: 6:00am- 1:00am
Phone Number: 212-310-6600
5. Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
The Flushing Meadows Park spans over 897 acres, serving as a great recreational space. Attractions here include a zoo, an art museum, a botanical garden, a science museum, and a baseball stadium. It is the fourth largest public park in New York and has numerous facilities to offer throughout the entire year. In the summer, you can cool off at the indoor pool; in the winter, you can skate on the ice rink!
Take me to Flushing Meadow’s website
Location: 11101 Corona Ave Flushing, NY 1135 (Take me to the map)
Public Transport: 7 to Willets Point & Shea Stadium
Hours:
Park Pool and Rink
Monday- Friday: 6:00am- 10:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am- 10:00am
Sunday: 9:00am- 8:00pm
Phone Number: 718-760-66565
6. Pehlam Bay Park
Pehlam Bay Park, the biggest public park in NYC, is home to attractions such as the Orchard Beach, Bartowpell Mansion, two golf courses, The Bronx Victory Column & Memorial Grove and Hunter Island. Visitors can enjoy long walks on bridle paths and hiking trails, athletes can practice in the fields and courts, while children can play in the playgrounds.
Take me Pehlam Bay Park’s website
Location: Bronc County Line and Middletown Rd, New York, NY 10464 (Take me to the map)
Phone Number: 718-430-1891
7. Van Cortlandt Park
This is the third biggest park in NYC, housing the city’s first public golf course and numerous attractions. It provides a myriad of recreational facilities such as free public pool, playgrounds and areas for barbecuing. You can also indulge in sports activities like basketball, baseball, soccer, cricket, skating, fishing and many more.
Take me to Van Cortlandt Park’s website
Location: 1 Bronx River Parkway, Bronx, NY 10462 (Take me to the map)
Public Transport
Subway:
1 to West 242nd Street
4 to Woodland
Bus: Bx9, BxM3, Bx16, Bx31, or Bx34
Park Closing Hours:
Van Cortlandt Park: 10:00pm
Playgrounds: Dusk
Allen Shandler Parking Lot: 7:00pm
VC Golf House Parking Lot: 9:00pm
