Are you ready to explore our top picks of 15 Stunning NYC Picnic Spots for an Unforgettable Summer?

New York City is brimming with stunning spots perfect for summer picnics. From sprawling parks to hidden gardens, these 15 destinations offer breathtaking views and tranquil settings for a delightful outdoor escape. Whether you are planning a family outing or a relaxed day in the sun, these locations provide the ideal backdrop for enjoying good food and great company. Pack your picnic basket, grab a blanket, and discover your perfect summer retreat in the city.

Whether you are gearing up for a classic picnic, a lively family cookout, or a sizzling barbecue, we have handpicked the finest spots to ensure your unforgettable outdoor gatherings. So, get ready to explore some hidden gems and make the most of your summer days in NYC.

15 Stunning NYC Picnic Spots for an Unforgettable Summer

Brooklyn

Long Meadow

• Location: Enter Prospect Park at 9th Street—Prospect Park
• Phone: (718) 965-8951
• Website: Long Meadow

Stretching nearly a mile, Long Meadow in Prospect Park is the ultimate picnic paradise. This expansive green expanse, extending from Grand Army Plaza to Prospect Park Southwest, is likely the longest uninterrupted meadow in any urban park across the U.S. Its sprawling openness makes it an ideal backdrop for a variety of activities—from family picnics and spirited sports games to children’s birthday parties and vibrant summer concerts by the New York Philharmonic. Whether you are flying a kite or simply soaking up the sun, Long Meadow offers a picturesque setting for countless outdoor adventures.

Fort Greene Park

• Location: 100 Washington Park—Fort Greene
• Phone: (718) 965-8951
• Website: Fort Greene Park

Fort Greene Park offers a tranquil escape in the heart of Brooklyn. It is a perfect spot for a leisurely picnic, surrounded by charming townhouses, quaint shops, and fantastic dining options. Established in 1847, this historic park played a key role in the rise of hip-hop, hosting legendary DJ sets and performances in the ’70s and ’80s. Today, it remains a vibrant cultural hub, hosting various events from Lay Out to Curlfest. As Brooklyn’s first park, it continues to serve as a dynamic community space with plenty of local eateries to grab a bite for your picnic.

Pier 2 Field at Brooklyn Bridge Park

• Location: 150 Furman Street—Brooklyn Heights
• Phone: (718) 222-9939
• Website: Pier 2 Field at Brooklyn Bridge Park

At Brooklyn Bridge Park, this 6,300-square-foot space invites you to unwind with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. The revitalized industrial pier transforms five acres into a vibrant playground with diverse recreational facilities. Enjoy a game on the basketball, handball, or pickleball courts, take a swing on the swings, or glide across the full-size inline skating rink. One of the park’s unique features is the spiral pool, a dynamic water feature that interacts with the East River’s tides—showcasing the river’s natural rhythms with each ebb and flow.

John Paul Jones Park

• Location: 101st Street, Shore Parkway—Bay Ridge
• Phone: (212) 639-9675
• Website: John Paul Jones Park

Honoring the legendary naval hero John Paul Jones, this park is a delightful haven for both picnickers and history enthusiasts. The park boasts a variety of historical monuments, including the impressive 75-foot-tall Dover Patrol Monument, which honors the Royal Navy’s Dover Patrol from World War I. As you enjoy your picnic, you can find yourself surrounded by fascinating historical artifacts, including authentic cannonballs that add a unique charm to this scenic spot.

Owl’s Head Park

• Location: Colonial Road + 68 Street + Shore Road—Bay Ridge
• Phone: (212) 639-9675
• Website: Owl’s Head Park

This riverfront park is an ideal destination for a family outing, featuring stunning city views and a range of activities. Children can enjoy the playground and splash around in the spray pool, while older kids and adults can have fun at the skate park and sports courts. The park’s gentle hills and tranquil atmosphere create a serene escape from the urban hustle.

Manhattan

Near Belvedere Castle

• Location: Mid-Park at 79th Street—Central Park
• Phone: N/A
• Website: Near Belvedere Castle

Belvedere Castle, crafted by Central Park co-designer Calvert Vaux and architect Jacob Wrey Mould, stands as a testament to breathtaking views—its name means “beautiful view” in Italian. Completed in 1872, the castle and its adjoining terraces and pavilions were designed as an open-air lookout, originally devoid of windows and doors, to fully immerse visitors in the surrounding landscape. Today, you can enjoy a regal picnic on the sprawling lawn in front of Belvedere Castle, with its enchanting facade creating a fairytale-like setting. It’s the perfect spot to bask in the sun and capture memorable photos with the stunning backdrop.

Riverside Park

• Location: Riverside Drive—UWS
• Phone: (212) 870-3070
• Website: Riverside Park

Riverside Park, spanning four miles from 72nd to 158th streets along the Hudson River, is celebrated as Manhattan’s most stunning waterfront park and one of New York City’s eight scenic landmarks. Since its inception in 1875, the park’s landscapes, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, have provided a serene escape for New Yorkers.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse landscape of rocky cliffs, lush lawns, and mature elm groves. The park’s terrain descends dramatically from Riverside Drive to a manmade shoreline and promenade, constructed between 1937 and 1941 under Robert Moses. Whether you’re looking to relax, play, or socialize, this park offers the perfect spot to lay down a blanket, take a nap, and soak up the sun along the beautiful Hudson River.

Secret Garden at St. Luke in the Fields

• Location: 487 Hudson Street—West Village
• Phone: (212) 924-056
• Website: Secret Garden at St. Luke in the Fields

The Secret Garden at St. Luke in the Fields is one of New York City’s most enchanting and unique green spaces, encompassing over two-thirds of an acre filled with meandering paths, lush lawns, and an impressive collection of garden standards, rare hybrids, and native American plants. Its southwest orientation and brick walls create a warm micro-climate, enabling a diverse range of flora and fauna to flourish. Though privately owned, this tranquil garden is open to the public.

Tucked away in the West Village, this underrated sanctuary is perfect for a peaceful retreat. With cozy grassy nooks and charming wrought iron tables and chairs, it offers a delightful setting for a quiet afternoon. While you can enjoy your own food, please note that smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Additionally, to maintain the garden’s serene atmosphere, cellphone conversations and feeding the birds or squirrels are discouraged.

Friendship Garden

• Location: 499 West 141st Street—Harlem
• Phone: (212) 333-2552
• Website: Friendship Garden

Established in 1982, Friendship Garden has been a beloved haven for the neighborhood, providing a tranquil spot for gatherings, cookouts, and birthday celebrations.

Tucked away in Harlem, this charming garden, revitalized with the help of the Broadway musical “Wicked,” offers a serene escape. It’s the perfect spot to relax with friends, savor a meal, or simply bask in the calm atmosphere.

Isham Park

• Location: Isham Street + Seaman Avenue—Inwood
• Phone: (718) 965-8951
• Website: Isham Park

Isham Park, often bypassed due to its secluded location, is a hidden treasure in Inwood. Enjoy a relaxing picnic here before heading over to nearby Inwood Hill Park to see “Sealy,” the area’s famous harbor seal. Rich in history, this park played a strategic role during the American Revolution as Hessian troops landed here while advancing up the Harlem River. The park features an intriguing outcrop of Inwood marble and a grand ginkgo tree, making it a unique and peaceful retreat.

Bronx

Van Cortlandt Park

• Location: Broadway and Van Cortlandt Park S—Bronx
• Phone: (718) 430-1890
• Website: Van Cortlandt Park

Van Cortlandt Park, covering over a thousand acres in the northwest Bronx, is the city’s third largest park. It features a mix of playing fields and playgrounds around its edges, with a densely wooded interior nourished by Tibbets Brook. The park is notable for hosting the nation’s first public golf course, the oldest house in the Bronx, and the borough’s largest freshwater lake. It offers a tranquil retreat with its natural trails, flowing streams, and rich wildlife, perfect for a break from the urban hustle.

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Queens

Socrates Sculpture Park

• Location: 32-01 Vernon Blvd—Astoria in Queens
• Phone: (718) 965-8951
• Website: Socrates Sculpture Park

Socrates Sculpture Park invites you to enjoy a picnic amid its captivating large-scale sculptures and multimedia art installations. Set along the Astoria waterfront, the park offers stunning city skyline views that add a special touch to your outing. Relax on the grassy expanses or cozy up on a bench, taking in the vibrant art and charming garden areas. It’s a perfect spot to savor a meal while immersing yourself in the park’s unique artistic atmosphere.

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

• Location: Grand Central Parkway, Whitestone Exwy. Between 111 Street and College Point Boulevard, Park Drive East—Between Corona and Flushing
• Phone: (718) 760-6565
• Website: Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the borough’s largest park, offers ample greenspace for all your recreational activities like soccer, baseball, tennis, and cricket. The park also features a recreation center, a zoo, an art museum, a botanical garden, a science museum, and a baseball stadium. Perfect for a picnic or a family cookout, this expansive park has something for everyone.

Famous for hosting two World’s Fairs, Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a quintessential NYC destination. Visitors can enjoy historic paths, scenic trails, and a wide range of activities from kayaking on the park’s lakes to biking its extensive trails. Every visit to this vibrant park is a unique and exciting experience.

Staten Island

Clove Lakes Park

• Location: 1150 Clove Road—Castleton Corners in Staten Island
• Phone: (718) 390-8000
• Website: Clove Lakes Park

Clove Lakes Park is celebrated for its vibrant daffodils and a majestic 300-year-old tulip tree. Relax with a picnic by the serene lakes or ponds, surrounded by lush greenery. Explore the scenic trails or glide across the lakes for a closer look at the park’s natural beauty. As a top recreational spot, Clove Lakes Park offers a range of facilities for families, including baseball diamonds, a soccer field, a basketball court, playgrounds, and a football field. It is an ideal destination for outdoor fun and relaxation.

Roosevelt Island

Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park

• Location: 1 FDR Four Freedoms Park—Roosevelt Island
• Phone: (212) 204-8831
• Website: Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park

Nestled on Roosevelt Island, Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park offers a serene lawn framed by trees and stunning views of the East River, making it an ideal spot for a peaceful picnic. Dedicated to former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served from 1933 to 1945, the park stands as a tribute to his legacy.

Designed by architect Louis Kahn, the park’s construction began in March 2010 and was completed in September 2012, on time and within budget. The dedication ceremony, held on October 17, 2012, was attended by notable figures including President Bill Clinton, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Ambassador Vanden Heuvel.

Concluding NYC Picnic Spots for an Unforgettable Summer

As summer unfolds, these 15 scenic NYC picnic spots offer the ideal settings for relaxation and fun. Each location, from hidden gardens to sprawling parks, is perfect for enjoying the season’s best weather and making lasting memories. Whether you are planning a family outing or a leisurely day with friends, these spots are sure to enhance your summer experience.

Don’t miss out on the chance to explore these picturesque spots across the city. Pack your picnic gear, head out to these amazing locations, and let the summer adventures begin. For more insights and tips on enjoying NYC’s outdoor treasures, be sure to keep checking in with us. Your perfect summer picnic awaits!