City parks near the water: the best places for summer walks in New York

For the so-called concrete jungle, New York City offers an incredible number of parks. And while Central Park and Prospect Park are among the most popular places to spend a day outdoors, nothing beats a park by the water, where cool breezes and skyline views add to the experience. Edition Thrillist compiled a list of the coolest parks in all five boroughs of the city.

Astoria Park

• Astoria

This huge waterfront isn't a secret in Queens, but it's a place that is often overlooked. Astoria Park has everything you could hope to find in New York: wide lawns, skyline views, athletics, fourteen tennis courts, bocce courts, basketball courts, a skate park, a multipurpose track, the largest swimming pool in the city, public restrooms and not one but two photo-attractive bridges, Triborough and Hel Gate.

Four Freedoms Park

• Roosevelt island

At the foot of Roosevelt Island—a piece of (often overlooked) piece of land on the East River between Queens and Manhattan that can be reached by subway, car, or streetcar—is Four Freedoms Park. In honor of Franklin Roosevelt, a tree-lined lawn leads to a granite memorial, and the oft-photographed staircase at the entrance serves as a platform for occasional political speeches.

Gantry Plaza Park

• Long island city

Gantry Plaza in Long Island City is undoubtedly one of the city's best waterfronts. It boasts stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and plenty of places to enjoy it from benches of all shapes and sizes. Sun loungers are also provided. The iconic Pepsi-Cola sign and the restored Long Island gate hint at the area's industrial past. It's a great place to read, a romantic date spot, a soothing place for the soul, and the perfect place for a picnic.

Hills

• Governor's Island

The man-made hills on this man-made piece of the island are truly amazing. The artfully designed open space of just 10 acres is perfect for a wonderful day trip. Be sure to check out Roam Discovery Hill, a 40-foot (12 m) hill with trees and shrubs, as well as art installations such as Tree Chuangs; Climb Outlook Hill, a 70-foot (21 m) observation deck overlooking Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and the Verrazzano Bridge; Ride New York's longest roller coaster (57 feet / 17 meters long and three stories high) at Slide Hill.

Hell Gate

• Randall island

You probably associate Randall and Wards Islands with sports fields and music festivals, but you don't need an event to visit this park. The island's gardens spruce up an already picturesque piece of land, and one of the best is the incredible field next to the Hell Gate Bridge.

Fort Washington Park

• Washington Heights

The fun doesn't end where Riverside Park ends. This is completely new territory to explore. Of course, there are the usual sports fields typical of most parks along the Hudson Greenway, but there are also some unique attractions that only Fort Washington Park has to offer. Beneath the George Washington Bridge sits Manhattan's only surviving lighthouse, while fan-favorite Ulix Griki's Sisyphean Stones provide a soothing atmosphere for meditation and scenic views.

Nor Shore Espalade

• Saint george

You probably know that Staten Island has some great beaches, but if you don't want to go too far inland, there's a spot next to the ferry with great views of New York Harbor and One World Trade. The best viewing platform is at the 11/XNUMX Memorial in Staten Island, which is positioned to frame the part of the New York skyline where the Twin Towers once stood.

Pelham Bay Park

• East Bronx

You thought Central Park was huge? Pelham Bay Park is more than three times the size of its Manhattan sibling, making it New York City's largest park. It has just about everything you can imagine: hiking trails, barbecue areas, playgrounds, all kinds of sports fields/courts/tracks, a historic mansion, a dog run and 13 miles (20 km) of shoreline.

Sculpture Park "Socrates"

• Astoria

Art installations transform this ordinary neighborhood park into an enticing sight in Queens along the East River and near the northern tip of Roosevelt Island. However, even without sculptures, this park is worth a visit. There is a grove and an open lawn that make walking through the park a pleasant experience.

WNYC Transmitter Park

• Green point

North Brooklyn knows this place well, but for people who rarely visit the area, the site of the former radio transmitter makes a stunning impression. Step out onto the pier for views of Manhattan, read on a bench, or just relax. The park is not very big, but it is enough to walk and relax.