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Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors

1. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

9.5
Central Park (btwn 85th & 96th St), New York, NY
Reservoir · Central Park · 123 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: One of my all time favorite NYC spots. Gorgeous views. Walk around once...or run. Beautiful in fall or spring.

Central Park is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

2. Central Park

9.7
59th to 110th St (btwn 5th Ave & Central Park W), New York, NY
Park · Central Park · 1839 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: Duh....so much to discover in the greatest park in one of the greatest spots the USA!

John Finley Walk is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

3. John Finley Walk

8.7
FDR Dr (btwn E 63rd St & E 81 St), New York, NY
Park · Upper East Side · 17 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: A great running track that runs along the East River. Enter on 81st Street or 71st...

The Ramble is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

4. The Ramble

9.4
Central Park, New York, NY
Hiking Trail · Central Park · 30 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: One of the most magical parts of Central Park...you would never know you're in the middle of Manhattan. Wooded area with tons of trails, waterfalls and bird-watching.

Carl Schurz Park is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

5. Carl Schurz Park

9.5
599 E 86th St (at East End Ave), New York, NY
Park · 97 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: A wonderful park on the East River. Home of the Gracie Mansion. GREAT dark parks and a boardwalk along the river.

High Line is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

6. High Line

9.5
btwn Gansevoort & W 34th St (btwn 10th & 12th Ave), New York, NY
Park · Chelsea · 1495 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: A MUST SEE-especially at sunset- 1-mile New York City park built on a section of the former elevated freight railroad line; it has been redesigned and planted as an aerial greenway.

Times Square is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

7. Times Square

8.5
Broadway & 7th Ave (btwn W 42nd & 47th St), New York, NY
Plaza · Theater District · 2356 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: With the newly added tables and chairs, grab a coffee and people watch (or tourist watch)...a must do for your 1st time in NYC. You should also see it once at night.

Hudson River Greenway is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

8. Hudson River Greenway

8.7
West Side Highway (Dyckman to Battery Park), New York, NY
Hiking Trail · West Village · 63 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: Great running spot for West-Siders...designated lane for bikers.

Bryant Park is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

9. Bryant Park

9.5
W 42nd St (btwn 5th & 6th Ave), New York, NY
Park · Midtown · 1230 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: Fantastic park in the middle of the city. Home to the HBO Summer Movie Series (HBO headquarters is across the street btw) and Bryant Park Grill.

Conservatory Water is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

10. Conservatory Water

E 74th St (at 5th Ave), New York, NY
Lake · Central Park · 45 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: A classic Central Park spot....sit on the benches and watch the children with their rented remote controlled sailboats. Or get a view of hawk- Pale Male.

Boat Basin Cafe is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

11. Boat Basin Cafe

W 79th St (at Riverside Park), New York, NY
Café · Upper West Side · 210 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: Watch the sunset from this HIDDEN gem...underneath the West Side Hwy. Right on the Hudson Marina...great bar and food!

Battery Park is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

12. Battery Park

9.2
Battery Pl (at State St), New York, NY
Park · Financial District · 302 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: Instead of trekking over to Liberty Island, take your out of town visitors here to catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty from across the Hudson. Also check out the 9/11 globe rescued from site.

South Street Seaport is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

13. South Street Seaport

8.9
South St (Pier 17), New York, NY
Harbor or Marina · Financial District · 225 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: Fantastic spot to walk around and get a glimpse of old Manhattan. Great shops/cafes and old boats!

National September 11 Memorial is one of Favorite FREE NYC Outdoors.

14. National September 11 Memorial

9.3
180 Greenwich St (btwn Liberty & Fulton St), New York, NY
Memorial Site · Financial District · 869 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: Take a look at the site of the 9/11 tragedy. Always a greta reminder to be thankful for every single day!