If you think Manhattan’s west side is all avenues and skyscrapers, Riverside Park is the happiest surprise waiting for you. Stretching four miles from West 72nd Street north along the Hudson River, this sweeping waterfront park is widely regarded as Manhattan’s most spectacular — and it is one of only eight officially designated scenic landmarks in all of New York City.
The beauty here is no accident. The park’s landscapes go back to Frederick Law Olmsted in 1875, and they still deliver exactly what he promised: an escape from the city without leaving it. From Riverside Drive, the land terraces down in three green levels toward the river, through rocky outcrops, shady lawns and groves of mature elm trees. Every level offers a different view, and every bench seems to come with a Hudson River sunset.
There is plenty to do along the way. Walk or cycle the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway right at the water’s edge, stroll the tree-lined Cherry Walk, or let the kids loose at much-loved playgrounds like the Dinosaur Playground and River Run Playground. NYC Parks also lists tennis courts, soccer fields, a skate park and kayak and canoe launch sites, so a whole day fills up easily. Do not miss the white marble Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, which honors the Union soldiers and sailors of the Civil War, and keep walking north to the General Grant National Memorial near West 122nd Street.
One practical note: the historic 79th Street Boat Basin marina is currently closed while it is dredged and rebuilt to modern standards, with reopening expected in 2028 — one more reason to come back. The Riverside Park Conservancy, the nonprofit that helps care for these 400 acres, keeps the lawns, gardens and volunteer days thriving year-round. Pack a picnic, pick a level, and enjoy New York at its greenest.
Photo: Jay Dobkin via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
