Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Long Beach

"Once you’ve crossed, take a seat somewhere in Brooklyn Bridge Park and watch the sun go down for an epic sunset and stunning views of Downtown Manhattan. For dinner, the world is your oyster – this is New York, after all, one of the best places to eat in the world. If you didn’t have pizza earlier, I recommend Juliana’s – the pizza is even better than next-door Grimaldi’s (in fact, it was voted the best pizzeria in the entire U.S. in 2015 on TripAdvisor) but it’s not often in the guidebooks so there’s usually no line. If you do this, be sure to save room for dessert at the delicious Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory just down the street."

"Another of New York’s more modern innovations, Brooklyn Bridge Park has taken what was once a lifeless chunk of Brooklyn’s waterfront and transformed it into a delightful expanse full of energy. The highlight — by far — is the spectacular views of Manhattan, which accompanies you as you navigate the various sections and unique attractions. The over 80-acre expanse houses Jane’s Carousel (a restored merry-go-round from the 1920s), sports fields, playgrounds, basketball courts, and skating rinks."

"This 85-acre park is one of Brooklyn’s best-loved attractions. Wrapping itself around a 1.3-mile bend on the East River, it runs from just beyond the far side of the Manhattan Bridge in Dumbo to the west end of Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn Heights. It's revitalized a once-barren stretch of shoreline, turning a series of abandoned piers into beautifully landscaped parkland with jaw-dropping views of Manhattan. There's lots to see and do here, with playgrounds, walkways and lawns galore."

"One of the most scenic walks in Brooklyn that’s a no brainer is strolling through Prospect Park. With just under 600 acres of land and tons of trails to traverse all the different landscapes that Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted, the famous designers of Central Park as well, designed. You can walk along the 3.35 mile loop that goes around the entire interior of Prospect Park or head to the Ravine where there are trails that mirror landscapes you’d find in the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York, the inspiration for this area of the park, as well as waterfalls and gorgeous tunnels to pass through."

"Brooklyn’s 526-acre Prospect Park is a beautiful place to get lost, dotted with historic buildings, little attractions and sports facilities, all on a hilly terminal moraine from the last Ice Age. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the men behind Central Park, Prospect Park took shape during the 1860s, and has a ceremonious entrance to the north, on the Grand Army Plaza, via the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch (1892). New buildings were being added well into the early 20th century."

"On Sundays, Smorgasburg is held in Prospect Park. At the Smorgasburg in East River Park, you can purchase a variety of sweet and savory food as you indulge in a gluttonous lunch."

"The 25-acre waterfront is the cradle of New York history, the front lawn of the Downtown district, and the hub of harbor access. The Battery is where New York City all started as the Dutch settlers established New Amsterdam. The Battery houses an Urban Farm, Garden Bikeway, a Layrinth, Waterfront Promenade, Castle Clinton, and The Bosque and now, an aquatic-themed carousel called the SeaGlass Carousel (closed Jan. and Feb.)."

"Any first-timer trip to New York City is not complete without a visit to The Battery, formally known as Battery Park. The Battery is located on the Southern tip of Manhattan and is where you can see the Statue of Liberty. After meandering through the park, be sure to hop on a ferry for a closer view of the Statue of Liberty."

"Walk back to Broadway along and walk south to Battery Park at the tip of Manhattan. Along the way, you will pass the Charging Bull statue. It’s from here that our Lower Manhattan GPS-enabled audio tour and our guided tour start from."

"Often overlooked, Governors Island is one of the top parks in New York City. You won’t want to miss this lovely and tranquil place, which offers excellent views of the New York Harbor and the city’s most iconic monuments, including views of the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center, and the skyline of Lower Manhattan. The Hills of Governor’s Island offers some of the best views of Lady Liberty and the skyline too!"

"The ferry to Governors Island is $3 round trip (free on Saturdays and Sundays before noon), but access to the 172-acre island – which is open May through September – is free. There's a 2.2-mile bike path, mini golf, art installations, a picnic area, plus military sites such as Admiral's House and a “ghost town” of sorts at Nolan Park. Guided tours depart from the Soissons Landing Welcome Center."

"Once a revolutionary war military installation, Governors Island today is a public green space floating in Hudson Bay, perfect for tourists to explore in warmer months. The US army and coastguard have both used Governors Island for training purposes but it was ultimately opened to the public in 2005. Here’s what you need to know:"

"Founded in 1948, it was named after community leader Thomas J. Travers. Kids love being in a life-size garden oasis with the leaf-and-vine shaped spray showers. Nearby there is also an area for handball, tennis and roller hockey for the big ones."

"Not many New Yorkers know where the mayor of the city lives. Overlooking the East River sits Gracie Mansion, a two-story, light yellow structure built in the Federal style in 1799. The mansion has been the official home of most mayors of New York City since 1942 and is just one of the many attractions you can find in Carl Schurz Park."

"One of the newest things to do in Brooklyn when it comes to parks is Domino Park, located on Williamsburg’s waterfront along the East River near the Williamsburg Bridge. Named after the former Domino Sugar Refinery manufacturer that used to be at this site, this park still has old factory equipment on display. Designed by the same designer who was responsible for the popular High Line in Manhattan, Domino Park has quickly gained popularity despite its youthful age thanks to its location and is easily one of the best Williamsburg photography locations."

"The park's address is 15 River Street, and it can be entered on Kent Avenue at South 5th Street, South 3rd Street, or Grand Street. Domino Park is one of my favorite new NYC parks (it opened in 2018), and it's a must see if you're visiting Williamsburg. The park was built on an abandoned Domino Sugar Factory site, and there are many interesting industrial artifacts scattered throughout it."

"Domino Park is a five-acre oasis on the edge of the always-hip neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Hipsters flock to it on weekends for fish tacos and great views; local families head straight to the playground. Those who love the feel of Williamsburg will love this as a vibrant addition to the scene."

"Renowned as a prime birding spot, the 9,000-acre Jamaica Bay Wildlife refuge attracts thousands of land and shore birds who stop there during migration. In the last 25 years, over 330 species have been recorded at the refuge. The wide variety of bird species and the well-positioned benches around the trail at the 44-acre West Pond provide kids and families a remarkable place for bird watching."

"This zoological attraction is at 53-51 111th Street in the northern Queens park of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Before it opened its doors to the public in 1968, its grounds hosted the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. A relic from the World's Fair is a geodesic dome."

"This stark arrangement of gleaming modernist temples houses some of Manhattan’s most important performance companies: the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet and the iconic Metropolitan Opera House. The lobby's interior walls are dressed with brightly saturated murals by painter Marc Chagall. Various other venues are tucked in and around the 16-acre campus, including a theater, two film-screening centers and the renowned Juilliard School for performing arts."

"Ordered an ice coffee with almond milk and chocolate syrup but it doesn’t taste like there’s much of either in there."

"This sizable cafe, which has dual personalities as a coffeeshop and a plant store (!!) is located near the Bedford-Nostrand G train (one block away, actually), and I wish I had found it much sooner. The crowd: Local coffee shop customers, lots of quiet people on laptops, and people who want to brunch. The plants: They are delightful."

"Colonia Verde in Fort Greene recently upped its selection of prepared foods and home goods, sold through an online store called Casa. Many of those same preparations are also available at the restaurant, which is now offering heated outdoor seating in its backyard. View this post on Instagram"

"Fort Greene is the center of the action in the summertime and Colonia Verde offers a lively scene. Head over on a Sunday and you’re sure to find local chefs doing their thing over barbecues in the backyard."

"Fulton Center is chic, modern, clean, and has free Wi-Fi throughout the mall. It is a relatively new and futuristic mall located within a transit hub, thus making it easy for shoppers to check-in and out without any hassle. The center is home to various vendors and shops dealing in a variety of goods from various renowned brands, including Neuhaus and Shake Shack."

"Fulton Mall – Incorporated in 1976, the Fulton Mall Improvement Association works to improve the economic vitality and quality of life around Brooklyn’s premier shopping district, which welcomes more than 100,000 visitors a day. They provide supplementary sanitation, public safety, economic retail development, business, and marketing services to our district."

"A downtown Grand Central, Fulton Center will serve as an essential transportation and retail hub in Lower Manhattan, providing seamless transfer for approximately 300,000 passengers."

"In one of the most popular areas to explore in the borough, right on the waterfront, next to Brooklyn Bridge Park, and sweeping views of Manhattan in DUMBO are the Empire Stores located in a transformed 19th-century industrial warehouse building. This is one of the coolest spaces to shop and a great pick for things to do in Brooklyn if you’re exploring the DUMBO area. You can’t miss the gorgeous brick building with giant windows and wrought-iron shutters that’s so aesthetically pleasing."