Top Rated Parks to Visit 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."

"Why It's So Cool: Ok, the actual playground itself is nothing extraordinary, but the namesake of the park, is. (Still, any kid would be happy to rock out here for a while.) Named for native Brooklynite and Beastie Boy/filmmaker/activist Adam Yauch, AKA M.C.A., this slice of park hugging the BQE was renamed in his honor in 2013, one year after his death. That's cool, but what's even cooler is that this is the park where Yauch himself played as a child, even, apparently, learning to ride a bike here. It's down the street from Megapark Brooklyn Bridge Park, and its old school but ample offerings — basketball courts, climbing structures, a sprinkler — are a nice and calm alternative to the flurry of activity by the water."

"Adam Yauch Park is a Brooklyn Heights playground named in honor of founding Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch, a Brooklyn resident and filmmaker, artist, and international social activist. The park, which was formerly known as State Street Park and Palmetto Playground, was a childhood favorite play spot for Yauch and his family. Following Yauch's death in 2012 from cancer, the park was renamed in his honor."

"Bushwick might not get the same Manhattan views as its waterside peers, but that doesn't mean they have to miss out on beautiful parks. Located in the heart of the neighborhood, Maria Hernandez Park maintains a slice of Bushwick's history as a sprawling farmland. Filled with trees, play areas, dog runs, and more, this park is a hotspot for the neighborhood's rich culture."

"Long before the High Line became the hottest attraction in New York, the Elevated Acre was already a secret lunchtime spot for New Yorkers working downtown. Like the name suggests, the Elevated Acre is an elevated garden, one acre in size, located on the first floor at 55 Water Street, only a couple blocks from Battery Park. It came to life in the 1970s, thanks to a city regulation allowing developers to add six more stories to a building, provided the property included a public plaza."

"Museum of Illusions is one of the best New York City attractions for families. It is a small two-storey interactive museum, close to the High Line or the Whitney Museum. It is the perfect NYC attraction for teenagers as well, as there is an element of participation and cool factor in almost every exhibit."

"Located in Midtown, Sony Wonder Lab is an interactive science and technology center where visitors can play with the latest technologies and discover how electronics are used in daily life and various professions, including health and medicine, environmental engineering, computer technology, and entertainment. It is a great place for children between 8 - 12, and even fun to visit for adults. Do you know what’s the best part?"

"Cost: $65During the pandemic, SoHo’s Takeshi Sushi rebranded into Kintsugi. The idea here is quality-minded, affordable omakases; for those who dine indoors at the eight-seat counter (typically 12 during non-covid times), the price runs from $65 to $175, while the outdoor omakase spans from $65 to $85. The majority of the eatery’s seafood is flown in daily from Japan, and the team focuses on in-house aging to coax out extra umami from its fish."

"Enjoy a lively atmosphere at this bistro found in the heart of Harlem. Space inside is open and light, and in the summer, patrons quickly fill the sidewalk seating. The skirt steak, marinated in a special garlic herb mix is not to be missed, and the Cocote de coq au vin, braised chicken in a red wine sauce served over linguini, is a crowd pleaser."

"Sandwiched between Peter Luger Steakhouse and Andrew Tarlow’s Diner is Francie, a lesser-known but equally star-studded restaurant from alums of Bâtard and the West Village’s Michelin-starred Piora. The Williamsburg restaurant is modeled after the European brasserie, complete with white-suited waiters, a $175 rib steak for two, and eventually some background noise from late-night club Baby’s All Right down the street. Less than a half-year after opening, Francie became one of seven new restaurants citywide to receive a Michelin star."