Explore NYC: 10 Stunning Waterfront Walks

Riverside Park South

Discover the city’s greatest waterside trails.

I love New York as much as the next person, but walking through the concrete jungle can feel a bit claustrophobic sometimes. One of the perks of being on an island like Manhattan is the constant proximity to water. There’s nothing quite like a long walk along a body of water to shake off the feeling of city-induced confinement. I’ve rounded up my 10 favorite waterfront paths, listed in geographical order from south to north, for your walking pleasure.

1. Hudson River Park in Chelsea

Location: West 22nd Street and 11th Ave in Chelsea.

Spanning six different neighborhoods, Hudson River Park offers a delightful riverside stroll you won’t wanna miss. Though the walk begins in Tribeca, I suggest starting your journey in Chelsea just north of the Chelsea Piers at West 22nd Street.

This park is only one of the many riverside treasures you’ll find on your adventure up the west side of Manhattan. You’ll be greeted by the Pier 62 Carousel and a perfect port for sunset viewing. On a clear day you can walk to the end of the pier and see a nice view of the Statue of Liberty. Keep moving north to wander through marinas, flower gardens, and lots of greenery for picnic pit stops.

Hudson River Park via West 22nd Street

2. The East River Esplanade

Location: East 54th Street and Sutton Place South.

Where Sutton Place dips its toes into the East River, the Esplanade will lead you along an enchanting waterfront walk. This trail lifts you over the FDR Drive and onto a charming path along the East River with benches, water fountains, and incredible views of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge, Roosevelt Island, and the Queensboro Bridge.

The East River Esplanade

3. The Pond

Location: Southeast corner of Central Park at 59th Street and 5th Ave.

Tucked neatly into the lower corner of Central Park, the Pond greets visitors with ducks, photo opps, and a delightful waterside path. On the north end you can stand on Gapstow Bridge and take in the site of the iconic Plaza Hotel.

If the turtles floating by boost your wildlife spirit, you can travel east to the Pond’s next door neighbor, the Central Park Zoo. Or, go west to find the Hallett Nature Sanctuary.

The Pond

4. Riverside Park South

Location: West 59th Street through West 71st Street along the Hudson River (enter on Riverside Drive and 67th Street).

Pack a sack lunch and tie up your bucket hat because this park is packed to the brim with river views and fresh grass, begging to be picnicked upon. I consider this walk to be the perfect summer stroll, though I visit year-round. When walking along the upper level, beside Riverside Drive, you’ll be welcomed by a flower garden and a mist sprinkler to bathe passersby on a hot day. Equally important is the small dog park located on the corner of 65th Street and Riverside Drive.

The Riverside Walk via Riverside Park South

The real adventure begins when you follow the ramps down to the walking path by the water. Here you’ll be graciously led uptown along the Hudson River. This landmark is sprinkled with fun attractions, including a swing set, volleyball nets, and a delightful lunch spot called the Pier i Cafe, open from May to mid October.

I enjoy walking to the end of the pier to get a gorgeous view of the George Washington Bridge and an outer glimpse of the westside skyscrapers. In addition, the pier sits next to the 69th Street Transfer Bridge, living proof of what the park used to be: A train yard. For over a century, this area was used by the New York Central Railroad to load cargo onto barges and transport it across the river. What remains is an impressive copper structure, signifying just one of New York’s historical purposes.

Behind the Pier i Cafe is a bathroom free for anyone to use. While I find this bathroom to be a bit cramped and dimly lit, it’s usually clean enough for a public restroom princess like myself. A little bit north of the pier is another set of bathrooms, free for walkers, and a working water fountain.

The 69th Street Transfer Bridge

5. The Central Park Lake

Location: The center of Central Park (enter through the West 72nd Street entrance along Central Park West and keep walking deeper into the park until you find the Lake).

The Lake takes you on an exquisite walk past loved-up row boaters, the extraordinary Bethesda Fountain, and the brilliant Bow Bridge.

The Lake featuring Bow Bridge

You can grab a bite and a bathroom break at the Boat House, located on the eastern tip of the Lake. Food prices might send you into a state of shock but the vibes are magnificent, and the bathrooms on the outer part of the cafe are free to use.

The Central Park Lake (west side)

6. The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

Location: The heart of Central Park between 86th and 96th Streets.

This 106-acre pool offers a breathtaking path surrounded by a ring of vibrant foliage. Come in the fall to witness nature’s rainbow of red and yellow leaves along the perimeter, or enjoy a fresh reservoir breeze in the spring and summer as you cruise around this extraordinary body of water.

Beware of reservoir politics as this walk is a ‘one-way’ path. Local runners may scold you for walking in the wrong direction because, let’s face it, this is New York and people need to be angry about something at all times.

The Central Park Reservoir

7. The Cherry Walk

Location: 100th to 125th Streets along the Hudson River.

This scenic portion of the Riverside Walk leads you further up the Hudson River. During Cherry Blossom season (mid to late March) you’ll be surrounded by bright pink cherry trees as if you’re wrapped in a giant floral hug. However, I enjoy the walk any time of year regardless of which trees are in bloom.

The Cherry Walk is interesting because on one side of the trail is the bustling highway with cars whizzing by at a death-defying speed, and to the other is a glorious view of the Hudson River. The trail gives you a bit of whiplash but I’ve found that it’s a great walk regardless.

The Cherry Walk

8. The Ravine and Loch

Location: Upper Central Park (enter at West 101st Street and Central Park West, and keep walking deeper into the park past the Pool. (There will be signs to guide you).

Are you interested in coming to New York and experiencing something that looks nothing like New York? The Ravine and Loch may be the place for you! This quiet, nature-packed section of Central Park removes you from the city and places you gently into a fairytale. Along the way, you’ll wander through waterfalls, wooden bridges, and foliage as green as the eye can see. The trail releases you onto the east side of the park, where you’ll find magnificent to-dos such as the Conservatory Gardens and the Harlem Meer.

The Ravine and Loch

9. The Harlem Meer

Location: 106th to 110th Streets along 5th Ave. The very top east point of Central Park.

The Harlem Meer offers a quaint stroll around a picturesque body of rippling water. As an often unexplored area by tourists, I recommend checking out this section of Central Park. The Meer is placed next to the Conservatory Gardens which compliments the old-fashioned charm of the pond.

The Harlem Meer

10. Inwood Hill Park

Location: As far up as you can go on the westside of Manhattan. Entrance at Payson and Seaman Avenues.

In a land far, far away, in the topmost corner of Manhattan, is the stunning Inwood Hill Park. The trip up requires patience, and with the unappealing aesthetics of the subway, the destination outweighs the journey. Inwood Hill Park overlooks Spuyten Duyvil—Latin for Spitting Devil—the waterway that separates Manhattan from its upstairs neighbor, the Bronx. The walk along the water will only take you so far, but there’s a peace in this park that I haven’t found anywhere else. You’ll also find the Inwood Hill Nature Center and a frolic-worthy field just behind the walking path.

Honorable Mentions

Little Island

Location: Pier 55 and West 13th Street along the Hudson River.

Little Island is a newer addition to the NYC park repertoire, and offers a unique take on waterside attractions. Little Island allows you to walk over what look like giant, opaque wine glasses, which, let’s be honest, is the dream.

Little Island is a good walk, but for serious steppers, the size of the park might not satisfy you.

Little Island

Inside Little Island

The Brooklyn Bridge

Location: Corner of Park Row and Centre Street on the southeast corner of Manhattan.

As a person who dislikes crowds almost as much as I dislike spending absurd amounts of money on tourist traps, I go back and forth with my feelings about the Brooklyn Bridge. On the one hand, it’s a free walk between the boroughs, providing breathtaking views of Manhattan and the East River. But in between fantastic photo opportunities, you’ll have to fight through the herds of people, most of whom are not caught up on the rules of sidewalk etiquette.

If you choose to embark on this cramped venture, you can find the Brooklyn Bridge on the southeast corner of Manhattan near City Hall. This is a fun area to walk around anyway, so you might as well add it to your list.

The Brooklyn Bridge