Jacob Fitzpatrick

For those who are in the Upper West Side, Riverside Park is a clear rival to Central Park. With four miles of paved paths, green space, playgrounds, gardens, and off-leash dog areas, this park is a great place for an afternoon stroll, to meet friends, admire the scenery, or go for a run.

WNYC Transmitter Park is a small park in Brooklyn and located directly on the river. The park itself is underwhelming, and the green space was recently seeded so not available for sitting or walking. But the main reason to visit this park is for the view of the Manhattan skyline: with no obstructions between you and the city, you can look directly across the river and enjoy the view.