Gantry Plaza State Park
A Long Island City waterfront park with restored gantry cranes, a tot lot playground, a fishing pier, mist fountain and famous views of the Manhattan skyline.
by Central Park Conservancy
Photo: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
A four-acre woodland on a rocky hill above the Pond in Central Park's southeast corner, with rustic trails, overlooks and native plantings. Kids can hunt for birds and small wildlife in a quiet, forest-like pocket steps from Midtown.
Daily 10 AM until 30 minutes before sunset; no restrooms
Free
Pick a date to add it to your plans.
Ages 3–17.
Free
Daily 10 AM until 30 minutes before sunset; no restrooms
Central Park, East Side between 60th and 62nd Streets, 10065, Manhattan.
No. Hallett Nature Sanctuary is outdoors, so plan for weather, sunscreen and water.
A Long Island City waterfront park with restored gantry cranes, a tot lot playground, a fishing pier, mist fountain and famous views of the Manhattan skyline.
A small stone castle perched on Vista Rock in the middle of Central Park that serves as a visitor center. Kids climb to the terraces for sweeping views over Turtle Pond and the Great Lawn and can look out for hawks and turtles below.
Hands-on outdoor science workshops in Riverside Park for kids ages 4 to 10, exploring topics like migrating birds, bugs and plants through activities and observation.
A six-mile stretch of Hudson River parkland from West 59th to 181st Street with 16 playgrounds, a bird sanctuary, waterfront bike paths and summer events. The Riverside Park Conservancy runs kids' nature workshops and story hours.
Manhattan's 840-acre backyard, with lakes, woodlands, lawns, the Central Park Zoo, a carousel and more than 20 playgrounds. Families can bird-watch in the Ramble, borrow Discovery Kits at visitor centers and explore quiet corners like the Hallett Nature Sanctuary.
A Central Park visitor center on the north shore of the Harlem Meer where families borrow Discovery Kits for self-guided nature exploration and play free lawn games like ring toss. It also hosts free Conservancy programs, exhibits and holiday events.