紐約最佳公園 —— 不容錯過的城市綠洲!
作者:Mia Russell
紐約,紐約!這座不夜城或許常讓人聯想到摩天大樓林立的「水泥叢林」,但其實這裡也擁有一些極其美麗的公園與城市綠地。這些公園坐落於哈德遜河畔或隱身於高樓大廈之間,為繁忙喧囂的城市提供了一處寧靜的避風港。
紐約的五個行政區內分布著 1,700 多座公園,每座公園都各具特色與魅力。從景致精緻、規模宏大的中央公園,到下西城設計整潔的 High Line(高線公園),紐約的公園都是珍貴的瑰寶,在城市核心地帶開闢出一片幽靜的綠洲。
無論您是想找個地方遛狗、健身、野餐,還是單純想呼吸新鮮空氣,這些公園都能滿足您的需求,甚至帶來更多驚喜。參考這份紐約市最佳公園名單,一起走向戶外吧。

曼哈頓中央公園(Central Park, Manhattan)
作為紐約最著名的地標之一,中央公園是曼哈頓鬱鬱蔥蔥的綠色心臟。這座公園由獲獎景觀設計團隊 Frederick Law Olmsted 與 Calvert Vaux 共同操刀,佔地 843 英畝,園內設施應有盡有,從湖泊到溜冰場一應俱全。
您可能花上幾天時間也無法逛遍公園的每個角落。您可以前往佔地 38 英畝、被稱為 The Ramble 的荒野區,在岩石溪流間的蜿蜒小徑上健行;也可以從風景如畫的 Loeb Boathouse 租一艘小船,在湖上度過幾小時的划船時光。如果您想省點力氣,則可以享受貢多拉之旅,隨後在船屋享用午餐。
租輛單車,以騎行方式探索 Central Park!使用您的通行證即可在中央公園全日單車租賃處(Central Park Full Day Bike Rental)租借單車,並包含安全帽、單車籃/袋、車鎖及公園地圖。
您可以在 Sheep's Meadow(綿羊草坪)鋪上野餐墊,一邊享受美食,一邊观察熙攘往來的人群;或是漫步於 Strawberry Fields(草莓地),找尋正在排演莎士比亞劇作的社區劇團。此外,您還可以探索歷史悠久的 Belvedere Castle(眺望台城堡),參觀舉世聞名的大都會藝術博物館,或是在中央公園動物園近距離接觸野生動物。
公園還會舉辦紐約市馬拉松、Shakespeare in the Park(公園裡的莎士比亞)以及 SummerStage 戶外演唱會等大型活動,讓您在紐約的星空下盡情舞動。

上西城河濱公園(Riverside Park, Upper West Side)
若想飽覽哈德遜河的壯闊全景,上西城的河濱公園絕對是首選。這座風景優美的濱水公園從第 72 街延伸至第 158 街,全長 4 英里,園內有宏偉的樹木與傾斜的草坪,並可欣賞到無與倫比的城市天際線與河岸風光。
河濱公園(Riverside Park)由以中央公園聞名的 Frederick Law Olmsted 所設計,擁有多樣化的設施與活動,從曼哈頓海濱綠道(Manhattan Waterfront Greenway)蜿蜒的自行車道,到網球場和滑板公園應有盡有。兒童遊樂場遍佈公園各處,此外還有紐約最負盛名的紀念建築,如士兵與水手紀念碑(Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument)以及格蘭特將軍國家紀念堂(Grant’s Tomb)。
持您的通行證前往 Perfect Picnic 領取美味的野餐包,在河濱公園度過幾個小時的放鬆時光,一邊品嚐美食,一邊飽覽美麗的河景。

布魯克林展望公園
作為 Olmsted 與 Vaux 的另一件傑作,展望公園(Prospect Park)是布魯克林的璀璨明珠。這座公園佔地 585 英畝,周圍環繞著布魯克林最具歷史氣息的街區,隨處可見屹立超過一個世紀的美麗赤褐色砂石建築。
這座公園是布魯克林核心地帶的一片寧靜綠洲,擁有一座佔地 60 英畝的湖泊以及美麗的景觀,如 Nethermead 和 Long Meadow 等地遍佈著莊嚴的老樹。園內還有許多標誌性地標,例如建於 1857 年的利奇菲爾德別墅(Litchfield Villa)、至尊軍隊廣場(Grand Army Plaza)、野餐屋(Picnic House)以及位於 Lullwater 湖畔壯觀的船屋。
您需要花上幾個小時才能充分探索並享受這座公園的一切。您可以在湖上踩踏板船,在展望公園動物園(Prospect Park Zoo)漫步,或遊覽 Brooklyn Botanical Garden。使用您的通行證即可免費進入花園!
您可以去 Lakeside 溜冰或滑冰,或者在夏季前往展望公園露天音樂台(Prospect Park Bandshell)觀看表演。
如果您還沒看夠壯麗的綠意,可以前往附近的 New York Botanical Garden 觀賞迷人的動植物。在 Thain Family Forest 的原始森林中漫步,並在 Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden 欣賞草本植物和混合花境的精妙設計。
在 Arthur and Janet Ross Conifer Arboretum 針葉林中漫步,並在 Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden 享受玫瑰花香。別忘了使用您的通行證免費進入紐約植物園。

曼哈頓中城西區布萊恩特公園
布萊恩特公園(Bryant Park)隱身於紐約公共圖書館後方,是曼哈頓中城的文化心臟。這座佔地 9.6 英畝的公園位於 42 街,被摩天大樓包圍,是一處精心打理的避風港,紐約人隨時都會聚集於此。
優美的草坪和高大遮蔭的樹木使這裡成為遠離辦公室或在觀光行程中稍作休息、呼吸新鮮空氣的絕佳地點。布萊恩特公園是藝術與文化的聖地,全年舉辦一系列令人目不暇給的活動。
您可以參加公園內的免費瑜珈、太極或舞蹈課,或是玩一場法式滾球或瑞典木柱排球(Kubb)。在夏季的週一晚上,您可以一邊玩桌遊放鬆,一邊在戶外經典電影節觀看電影。公園全區提供免費 Wi-Fi 服務。
冬季為公園帶來了精彩的體驗,例如美國銀行冬日村(Bank of America Winter Village)快閃店和滑冰場。別忘了在充滿神祕感的布萊恩特公園噴泉前拍張照片,欣賞其形狀奇特的冰柱。

格林威治村華盛頓廣場公園
華盛頓廣場公園(Washington Square Park)是格林威治村的象徵核心。標誌性的白色華盛頓拱門(Washington Arch)屹立在公園的北側入口,紀念喬治·華盛頓,使其成為紐約市最具辨識度的公共空間之一。
長期以來,這裡一直是反主流文化和創意的溫床,從「垮掉的一代」(Beatnik)運動和嬉皮士的聚集地,到如今的前衛藝術家和紐約大學(NYU)學生的舞台。
公園裡總有新鮮事在發生,從角落裡激戰正酣的資深西洋棋愛好者,到拱門前表演的舞蹈團體。您可以躺在草地上聽音樂家彈奏旋律,或在噴泉階梯上吃午餐,觀看街頭藝人的表演。
何不使用您的通行證造訪華盛頓廣場公園,並透過 Greenwich Village Walking Tour 探索周邊社區?
享受兩小時的導覽之旅,探訪這座「美國反主流文化的發源地」。您將參觀華盛頓廣場公園,尋找電影拍攝地(如《六人行》和《叢林中的莫札特》),並了解愛倫·坡(Edgar Allan Poe)與約翰·威爾克斯·布思(John Wilkes Booth)等當地知名居民的故事。

切爾西高線公園
從廢棄的鐵路軌道演變為城市頂級景點,切爾西的高線公園(High Line)是備受喜愛的瑰寶。這座長達 1.5 英里的公共公園從肉庫區(Meatpacking District)延伸至哈德遜場(Hudson Rail Yards),建在街道上方高處的廢棄高架鐵路之。
這座蔥鬱的漂浮花園穿過曼哈頓下西城一些極具歷史意義的街區。
使用您的通行證享受 High Line, Chelsea & Meatpacking District Walking Tour!從時尚的切爾西市場(Chelsea Market)出發,您可以在那裡品嚐紐約精緻的美食。
接著登上高線公園,沿著步行道悠閒漫步,經過寧靜的人造池和現代雕塑。您可以欣賞各種藝術裝置,並飽覽紐約最著名的一些建築,包括帝國大廈和法蘭克·蓋瑞(Frank Gehry)設計的 IAC 大樓。
探索轉型後的肉庫區,這個曾經的工業區現已變身為紐約最富裕的社區之一。您可以了解「死亡大道」的傳奇故事以及「西城牛仔」的軼事。
如果您有時間,可以使用您的通行證順道造訪享譽世界的 Whitney Museum of American Art 欣赏令人驚嘆的藝術品。

布魯克林大橋公園
布魯克林大橋公園座落於紐約市最古老的懸索橋下,是遠離人群並飽覽曼哈頓下城美景的理想地點。以標誌性的紐約天際線為背景,這座公園是享受籃球、足球和排球等戶外活動的熱門去處。
使用您的通行證從 Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rental 租借自行車,探索公園和這座美麗的大橋。
您可以沿著風景優美的水岸綠道悠閒騎行,欣賞與公園自然景觀融為一體的創新藝術作品。開闊的綠色草坪非常適合野餐,而水上遊樂區則為炎炎夏日提供了清涼的避暑去處。
您可以搭乘修復精美、源自 1920 年代的珍妮旋轉木馬(Jane’s Carousel),或是租一艘獨木舟在哈德遜河划行。夏天時,還可以在 4 號碼頭搭乘季節性渡輪前往附近的總督島,那裡也有許多綠地等著您去探索。

總督島小山丘
只需短暫旅程即可抵達總督島(Governors Island)這片綠洲,逃離紐約永不停歇的喧囂。從布魯克林搭乘渡輪很快就能到達這座平靜島嶼的岸邊,在那裡您會發現鬱鬱蔥蔥的小山丘,並能欣賞到令人屏息的城市美景。
這座紐約港內曾經廢棄的軍事基地已轉化為一座壯麗的公園,供城市居民在此享受戶外娛樂。這座島嶼的設計旨在向殖民前曼哈頓多丘陵的景觀致敬,擁有四座人工草丘,可將海港的全景盡收眼底。
使用您的通行證從 Surrey Bike Rental 租借自行車來探索這座島嶼。您可以繞著這座佔地 172 英畝的島嶼騎行,欣賞壯麗的景觀。
查看散佈在島上的藝術裝置,包括《Day is Done》、小屋雕塑和洋基機庫。您可以在傑伊堡(Fort Jay)和威廉斯堡(Castle Williams)深入了解島嶼的軍事歷史,或是到島上的城市農場親身體驗農耕樂趣。
盡情飽覽紐約港、自由女神像、布魯克林大橋以及下曼哈頓天際線的壯麗景色。遊覽完畢後,您可以前往吊床林(Hammock Grove)或野餐點(Picnic Point)享受一場悠閒的野餐。
Central Park, Manhattan
Central Park, Manhattan
The lush green heart of Manhattan, Central Park requires little introduction. But we’re going to give it one anyway. Designed by the award-winning landscape architect team, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the park spans a gargantuan 843 acres between the Upper West and Upper East Sides and is home to everything from a 90-acre woodland to a fairytale castle, boating lake, seasonal ice-skating rink, and charming old-school painted carousel.
You could spend days in Central Park without seeing everything. Hike winding trails and skip over rocky streams in the 38-acre wilderness area known as The Ramble, rent a rowboat from the picture-perfect Loeb Boathouse and boost your Insta credentials with a romantic selfie on the swoonsome Bow Bridge. Spread a blanket at Sheep's Meadow and devour your picnic as you watch the world go by, and wander through Strawberry Fields in search of community theater troupes rehearsing Shakespeare. You can also explore the historic folly that is Belvedere Castle, visit world-renowned museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Museum of Natural History, and go wild at Central Park Zoo.
The park also hosts major events like the New York City Marathon, Shakespeare in the Park, and outdoor SummerStage concerts where you can dance the night away under the New York sky.
Pro-tip: The New York Pass unlocks entry to 100+ Big Apple attractions, tours and experiences, including several cool Central Park tours like this one, and bike rentals that will add a little zip to your park sightseeing.
What’s next? A day out in Central Park means you’re well-placed for several of the city’s top institutions along Museum Mile on Fifth Avenue, including the Guggenheim, the Museum of the City of New York, the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum and more.
Riverside Park, Upper West Side
Riverside Park, Upper West Side
For spectacular sweeping views down the Hudson River, Riverside Park in the Upper West Side is the place to be. Stretching for four miles along the Hudson River from 72nd to 158th Streets, this scenic waterfront green space is home to stately trees and sloping lawns, and some pretty special views of the city skyline, to boot.
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted of Central Park fame, Riverside Park may not be quite the hive of activity that its Manhattan sibling is. But there’s still plenty to do here, from meandering bicycle paths on the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway to tennis courts and a skate park. Children’s playgrounds are peppered throughout the park, as well as some of New York’s finest monuments, like the Athenian grandeur of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, and Grant’s Tomb, final resting place of Ulysses S. Grant and the largest mausoleum in North America.
Pro-tip: Grab lunch from Perfect Picnic with your Go City NYC pass and while away a few hours soaking up those ravishing river views.
What’s next? Take a tour of the splendid Cathedral of St John the Divine, a few blocks east of Riverside Park or, if the timing’s right, catch a gospel concert in nearby Harlem.
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Yet another Olmsted and Vaux marvel, Prospect Park is the crown jewel of Brooklyn. Sprawling across 585 acres in the heart of the borough, the park is flanked by some of Brooklyn's most historic neighborhoods, with beautiful old brownstone houses that have been standing here for over a century.
The park is home to a 60-acre boating lake (complete with achingly photogenic boathouse and bridge) and beautiful landscapes like the Nethermead and Long Meadow with their stately trees and perfect picnic-and-people-watching patches. Not to be outdone by its larger Manhattan sibling, there’s also a zoo and a carousel, plus plenty of iconic landmarks, including the 1857 Litchfield Villa, Grand Army Plaza and Picnic House.
Pro-tip: Swing by on spring and summer Sundays for Smorgasburg – arguably the city’s premier street-food market for serious gourmands.
What’s next? Follow your nose to Brooklyn Botanic Garden where seasonal rose gardens, bluebell woods and cherry blossoms are pure manna for flower fans. Or, equally colorful, mosey over to the Bushwick neighborhood for a guided walking tour of the borough’s best street art.
Bryant Park, Midtown West
Bryant Park, Midtown West
Tucked behind the New York Public Library (you know, the one from Ghostbusters), Bryant Park is the cultural heart of Midtown Manhattan. At a diminutive 9.6 acres, it’s one of the smallest parks on our list, but don’t let that fool you: this lil’ urban oasis packs a pretty mighty punch. You’ll find it on 42nd Street, surrounded by skyscrapers (hello Chrysler and Empire State buildings!), and full of New Yorkers on morning constitutionals, office lunch breaks or evening yoga classes, depending on the time of day.
The park hosts a dizzying array of fun activities and cultural events throughout the year. Join a free tai-chi or dance class in the park, enjoy a game of boules or Kubb (Scandinavian lawn bowling), relax over a game of chess, and summer movie nights on the lawn. Winter brings wonderful offerings like the pop-up winter village and an ice-skating rink. Don’t skip a selfie at the mythical Bryant Park Fountain, which often freezes in the depths of winter, creating spectacular ice formations.
Finally, it’s a New York park, so naturally there’s a carousel – Le Caroussel – which rotates to jaunty French cabaret music, in-keeping with the park’s distinctly European style.
Pro-tip: Restroom aficionados, rejoice! Bryant Park boasts some of the best public restrooms in town. You’ll find these grand Beaux-Arts loos on the park's northern edge, with artworks, classical music and fresh flowers inside. The call of nature never felt so elegant.
What’s next? Take your pick: Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Museum of Broadway, Top of The Rock and many more A-list attractions are all within a few blocks.
Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village
Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village
Bohemian history and NYU energy fuse in this quintessential Greenwich Village hangout. The park has long been a hotbed for counterculture and creativity from a gathering place for the Beatnik movement and the hippies, to today’s avant-garde artists and NYU students.
Marking the park’s north side entrance, the iconic white Washington Arch honoring George Washington frames the Empire State Building beautifully for that classic NYC selfie.
There’s always something happening in the park, whether that be diehard chess rivals battling it out beneath the trees or dance troupes strutting their stuff in front of the arch. Lounge on the grass with a picnic, listening to busking musicians, or watch the local skaters performing tricks on the fountain steps. Heck, you could even have a street artist draw your portrait – your grinning visage captured in posterity is about as unique a souvenir of your New York vacation as you're likely to find. Beats an I ❤️ NY t-shirt anyway. Well, depending on what your face looks like, I guess.
What’s next? Take a deeper dive into Greenwich Village’s storied past on a guided walking tour. Prefer your tours a little more… spooky? Well, there's a Greenwich walk for that too.
The High Line, Chelsea
The High Line, Chelsea
Once a disused railroad track, the High Line now stakes a claim as one of the top attractions in NYC. This 1.5-mile-long public park stretches from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards and – true to its name – seems to float high above the city streets below.
This verdant floating garden passes through some of New York City's most historic neighborhoods in the Lower West Side of Manhattan. Follow this cute urban greenway for captivating glimpses of the Hudson River, ever-rotating public art installations, colorful wildflower patches (often alive with bees and butterflies in summer) and the distant shimmer of Midtown skyscrapers. Or just grab an ice-cream, park yourself on a bench and settle in for some world-class NYC people-watching.
Pro-tip: You’ll find the legendary Chelsea Market at the High Line’s southern end, for all your artisan snack, takeout street food and face-sized donut needs.
What’s next? Start your High Line walk at the southern entrance and finish up in Hudson Yards, where daredevils can brave the glass-floored Edge observation deck, some 1,131 feet above terra firma. Start in Hudson Yards and make time for a visit to the Whitney Museum of American Art at the southern exit, home to the world’s largest collection of Hopper paintings.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
Nestled beneath New York City's oldest suspension bridge, Brooklyn Bridge Park is an idyllic spot for escaping the crowds and soaking up some beautiful views over lower Manhattan. With the iconic New York skyline as a backdrop, the park is a popular spot for enjoying outdoor pursuits like basketball, football and volleyball. Expansive green lawns are perfect for picnicking, and a water play area offers cool respite from the city heat in summer.
Local eats really shine here: try the lobster roll at Luke’s Lobster or pizza at Juliana’s just a short walk away. Jane’s Carousel, a beautifully restored merry-go-round encased in glass right by the water, is pure magic for kids. Movies with a View film nights pack the lawns with locals and food trucks on balmy summer evenings. Bring friends and a camera: it’s the quintessential NYC sunset spot.
Pro-tip: Bike rental is also a great way to explore this part of the city, and you can pick yours up in Lower Manhattan for a ride across Brooklyn Bridge, down into the park and, should the mood take you, all the way down its scenic waterfront greenway.
What’s next? A walking tour of nearby DUMBO will help you get right under the skin of one of NYC’s hippest ‘hoods.
The Hills, Governors Island
The Hills, Governors Island
Escape from the non-stop noise of New York with a trip out to the green oasis that is Governors Island. A quick ferry ride from Brooklyn or The Battery takes you to the shores of this tranquil isle where you’ll find lush green hills – helpfully named The Hills – with breathtaking city views.
Once a military base, this New York Harbor isle enjoys a much more peaceful life these days, with a magnificent park where city dwellers escape to enjoy outdoor recreation. It’s transformation includes a design that pays homage to the lush, hilly landscapes of pre-colonial Manhattan, including four man-made grassy knolls boasting panoramic views of the harbor.
The best (and indeed only) alternative to tramping around the island on foot is to rent a surrey bike and cruise the hills in style. There are 172 acres to explore with highlights that include several art installations, like Day is Done, the Cabin sculpture, and Yankee Hangar. You can even delve into the island’s military past at Fort Jay and Castle Williams, and get your hands dirty at the Island’s Urban Farm.
But mostly, you’ll want to get into those hills – or Hills – for smashing views of New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Lower Manhattan skyline. Or perhaps the self-explanatory Hammock Grove, where you can enjoy a well-earned rest after all that pedaling.
What’s next? Take the ferry back to The Battery and head up to the dizzyingly high One World Observatory for views back down to where you’ve just left and far, far beyond.
Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
Last but very far from least, Flushing Meadows – at just shy of 900 acres – outguns even Central Park in terms of sheer size. Nor is it a shrinking violet when it comes to world-class attractions, several of which are reminders of its role as host of two World’s Fairs in the 20th Century. Perhaps the most famous of these, the Unisphere is a 12-story steel globe atop a circle of fountains that anchors wide lawns and endless meadows and is a favorite meeting spot for locals. You can also check out what’s left of the New York State Pavilion (from the same 1964 fair as the Unisphere) and ogle several thousand artworks relating to the fairs in the mighty Queens Museum; look out too for World’s Fair mosaics by the likes of Andy Warhol and Salvador Dalí. There’s also a zoo, a boating lake and plenty of bike lanes and walking paths to explore.
Pro-tip: Stick around for the epic Queens Night Market on summer Saturdays for any number of global street food options, from Korean noodles to Peruvian ceviche – it’s surprisingly affordable too, with prices capped at just $6 a plate.
Looking for more inspiration for your NYC trip? We pitted Manhattan against Brooklyn in our battle of the boroughs, and asked a local for their top tips for visiting New York.
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