What is a better way to experience the positive vibes of New York City than visiting its parks? They are not only free to visit, but are a great option for a stroll on a sunny day (or in the winter when it snows). When visiting any of the NYC parks, visitors are able to take a break from the constant rush of city life. Each one of the parks below offer a unique experience, while offering different family-oriented activities based on the season of the year.

1. Brooklyn Bridge Park
The Brooklyn Bridge Park is located within a 10-minute walk to the Brooklyn Bridge, which allows pedestrians to walk above the traffic. The park itself offers picturesque views of not only the Brooklyn Bridge, but the Manhattan Bridge, as well as Downtown Manhattan across the East River. In the summer or fall, one might catch the Staten Island Ferry passing by. It’s also a 10-minute walk from DUMBO, which stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.”

© Dog

2. Bowling Green
Bowling Green is NYC’s oldest public park. It’s a very small park with a fountain in the middle that’s surrounded by flowers. Being that it’s within a close walk to Wall Street, it’s a common destination for employees who are on their lunch hour. It’s even better destination for a weekend picnic after exploring the Financial District. Conveniently, it’s right across from the free National Museum of the American Indian.

© Wally Gobetz

3. High Line
An elevated park that used to be a railroad, the High Line is located along the Western portion of Manhattan, in the Chelsea neighborhood. After a long day shopping at nearby Chelsea Market, the High Line is the perfect destination to travel to next. It offers spectacular views of the Hudson River, as well as a clear view of Hoboken, New Jersey. There’s even a ledge to take photographs with a clear street view in the background.

© Iker Alonso

4. Bryant Park
Being only a 10-minute walk from Port Authority Bus Terminal, Bryant Park is a must-see when visiting Manhattan. There’s a grass area that’s perfect for sunbathing in the summer. Board games, such as Chess, can be rented out so that visitors can have something to do while visiting the park. Additionally, Bryant Park is the location of ice-skating during the Christmas season. The tree in Bryant Park is debatably better than the iconic one located in Rockefeller Center too. During the holiday season, there are tiny shops all throughout the park, selling anything from clothing and jewelry to food and much more.

© Andrew Dallos

5. Central Park
The location of countless award-winning films and undoubtedly one of the most iconic parks in the world, Central Park is an absolute must-see. It’s conveniently an approximate 15-minute walk from Port Authority Bus Terminal. It’s not possible to see every amazing site in one day when visiting this park. Some visitors prefer to bike ride throughout the park, while others deem it necessary to ride on a horse-drawn carriage, allowing them enchantingly to experience all of the wonders of the park. An adventurous idea for a summer day is to take a ride in one of the rowboats on Central Park Lake, which each seat up to four people. Either way, a day here will be unforgettable.

© Dan Cipolla

6. Battery Park
A short distance away from the Freedom Tower and World Trade Center Museum, Battery Park is one of the most frequently-visited parks in NYC. If one wants to ride on the Staten Island Ferry, this park is where he or she would go. It’s the perfect place to sit on a bench and have a lovely view of the Hudson River.

© Don Quilty