Best Parks in New York: A Guide by American Butler

Why You Should Visit New York City's Parks

New York City, famously known as "the city that never sleeps," is renowned for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets. Yet, nestled between these iconic structures and vibrant avenues, lie true oases of tranquility — the parks, offering city dwellers and visitors alike a chance to retreat into nature. From the renowned Central Park to lesser-known green spaces, each park boasts its unique atmosphere and history.

Join us on a captivating journey through the parks of New York City.

Central Park

Mention "New York City," and Central Park immediately comes to mind, and vice versa. There are countless reasons to love this place.

Firstly, its incredible beauty and serenity amid a bustling metropolis — designed to feel as though it naturally grew into its current form, with humanity merely enhancing its charm. In reality, Central Park is the result of meticulous labor and care.

Secondly, it features unique technological innovations for its time — beneath the park lie four hidden vehicular roads, while the park itself utilizes an original layout of paths, plantings, recreational facilities, and ponds.

Shakespeare Garden

This spot truly lives up to its name — classic romance personified. In fact, Shakespeare Garden is a park within a park, nestled within the boundaries of Central Park. It's worth highlighting this area because you won't find more refined English park landscapes in New York City.

Shakespeare Garden is awash in flowers and sprawling trees. Among them, you'll find plaques inscribed with quotes from Shakespeare’s plays, all set against a backdrop of charming bridges and stone-paved pathways.

Bryant Park

One of New York City’s oldest parks, nestled between 5th and 6th Avenues, Bryant Park wasn't taken seriously until the mid-20th century. It used to be a gathering place for the marginal elite while locals mostly stayed clear despite the efforts of landscape architects.

Justice prevailed in 1979 when the Rockefeller family invested a hefty sum in the park's reorganization, security, and maintenance. Now, it's one of New Yorkers' favorite spots: in summer, its lawns are perfect for basking in the sun, and in winter, they transform into a beautiful ice skating rink. The park frequently hosts performances and concerts, features numerous shelves for bookcrossing, and has plenty of playgrounds for children.

High Line Park

This park once transformed one of New York's most dreadful industrial areas into a thriving creative district. Located on elevated rail tracks left from old railways, the park integrates these historic elements beautifully. Plants weave through the old rails, creating a wild, urban, industrial beauty that has not only refreshed the area but also displaced antisocial elements.

The High Line is beloved not just by locals but also by tourists; it offers a truly unique experience. It stands as the best example of caring for both the community and the history of the area.

Battery Park

The name of this park is no coincidence. In the 17th century, when New York was still called New Amsterdam (you can read more about this on our website in the article about the history of New York), cannon batteries stood here to protect the Dutch lands at the southern tip of Manhattan.

Today, it's hard to find a more peaceful place than Battery Park. Over the decades, the park has expanded right up to the waterfront, and even the Hudson port is now part of its territory. From here, you have a splendid view of the Statue of Liberty, and the park itself houses several esteemed statues.

The list could go on forever. New York's parks are a culture unto themselves, diving into which is a pleasure every time. Each park has its own unique identity, and getting to know them never grows old. Even after several visits, new details emerge. We are eager to share more about them in extensive articles about each park.