In a city like New York, which is filled with towering skyscrapers and concrete, it's surprisingly not hard to find a green space to relax in.
For people who want to take a breather from the famous Central Park, here are a few other choices:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Travelers who want to reconnect with nature will surely love Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This urban botanical garden connects people to many plants and can undeniably bring a sense of delight as well as curiosity.
This garden is a must-visit spot during Spring for people who want to see the magnificent Sakura trees bloom in the Cherry Esplanade. The park is considered as one of the most visited Japanese gardens outside Japan. Brooklyn Botanic Garden's wide array of plants also aids people to appreciate the environment around them.
The park also boasts its large herb collection of the Shakespeare Garden and zen-like bonsai room.
Riverside Park
Considered by many as one of New York's best-kept secret, the Riverside Park is located only a few blocks away from Central Park and is fortunately not filled with tourists.
The said park stretches 4 miles along the scenic Hudson River and is equipped with a space that is meant to be enjoyed by bikers or walkers alike. The elm trees that line the park also adds to its allure.
Prospect Park
Right across the street of Brooklyn Botanic Garden lies Prospect Park. This park was designed by the same developer as Central Park but instead of getting flocked by a huge crowd, this park is full of locals who just want to enjoy nature.
For those who are tired of or reading a book underneath its lush trees and are looking for other things to do, they can rent a bike to use around 90-acre Long Meadow or paddle boat around the Prospect Park Lake. Visitors can also opt to hang out in the Picnic House and Litchfield Villa.
The open space filled with large trees make it undeniably one of the most charming parks in the city.
Washington Square Park
Situated in the heart of Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park is known for its elaborate arch and is frequented by many people during the summertime. People who want to enjoy this place can walk around the area or choose to sit in one of its many benches, or at the edge of the beautiful fountain.
This park is also a hotspot for dogs and children, especially on a hot day. Although the park has a morbid history, its past just adds depth and uniqueness to its character.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
An hour on the subway will not stop people from visiting Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Visitors will surely love its unassuming and quiet atmosphere. This little piece of secret is one of a kind because of its large Unisphere, a reminder of the millions of people that gathered in the same location during the 1964 World's Fair.
People will never run out of things to do in this vast park because it offers a wide array of activities and recreational spaces for sports, a botanical garden that will make them wish they had a garden at home, a baseball stadium, a science museum, an art museum, a Flushing Bay Promenade, and six playgrounds for kids to enjoy.
