Secret Gardens & URBAN ESCAPES: 6 Must-Visit Parks in New York City

When most people think of parks in New York City, one name comes to mind: Central Park. But we think there are plenty of other amazing options that you may not know about! Below is a list of our favorite spots around the city to relax, unwind, and enjoy the greenery among the bustling adventure of New York City.

Elevated Acre

At 55 Water Street, you’ll find a full acre of green space: trees, gardens, and a lawn that overlooks the East river. It’s the perfect lunch break spot that has a stunning skyline view of the city. This is a real “if-you-know, you-know” kind of spot.

GREENACRE PARK

You’d never believe there’s a peaceful, borderline magical, waterfall hidden in the heart of Midtown, just off East 51st street. This privately owned public space is one of our favorite secret escapes in Manhattan. It even has a nice café that offers all sorts of pastries, smoothies, and more!

6BC Botanical Garden

‘6’ is for “East 6th Street”, ‘B’ is for Botanical, and ‘C’ is for community.

In the middle of the East Village lies the picturesque, volunteer-run, 6BC Botanical Garden. During the spring and summer, the sanctuary blossoms with wildflowers, many native plants, and winding stone paths. It used to be an abandoned lot, but in the 1980s, volunteers with green thumbs transformed the lots into a place where the community could plant and grow their own gardens. In 1995 it became an official botanical garden gaining recognition by the parks in 1999. Sit on a bench, listen to the buzzing bees, and you might forget you’re in Manhattan entirely.

Ford Foundation Atrium

Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice

Not quite a “park” in the traditional sense, but equally deserving of a spot on this list, the indoor garden at the Ford Foundation Center is a modernist masterpiece. Located near the UN, this soaring glass atrium is filled with ferns, reflecting pools, and cascading vines. Open to the public during weekday hours, it offers a wonderful fusion of tropical nature and modern architecture.

Morningside Park

Stretching along the steep cliffs between Harlem and Morningside Heights, this often-overlooked park is one of NYC’s most amazing landscapes. With towering rock formations, waterfalls, winding staircases, and sweeping views of uptown Manhattan, Morningside Park is a hidden gem worth venturing to, whether you are a park junkie or even just looking for a little oasis in the city. Its varied terrain and vibrant history (co-designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, of Central Park fame) definitely make the trip uptown worth it!

CENTRAL PARK

Of course, we had to! No list of NYC parks would be complete without Central Park. Sprawling across 843 acres, it’s a cultural landmark, a natural refuge, and an architectural wonder. Whether you're rowing across the lake, wandering through The Ramble, or catching a Shakespeare in the Park performance, a journey through Central Park is an ever-changing adventure that offers something new with every visit- even for lifelong New Yorkers!