Hudson River Park in New York

Hudson River Park in New York, located on the west side of Manhattan, is a park full of greenery. It lies along the Hudson River and stretches 4 miles (7 km) long from Battery Park in the south to 59th Street in the north. It’s home to several piers, each with its own elements such as playgrounds, sports fields and even beaches. Each pier gives you great views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline. Hudson River Park is a wonderful place for a walk, a bike ride, or to just sit back and relax for a while.

Things to see and do in Hudson River Park

With more than 25 piers, Hudson River Park has a wide array of fun things to do. Here are my highlights for the park:

1. Pier 25: Great for playing

   Pier 25 is located off TriBeCa and is the longest pier in Hudson River Park. There is a playground for children and you can find public toilets there, too. There’s also a mini-golf course and a sand volleyball court.

   For something to eat, you can go to the small snack bar or visit Grand Banks, which is a historic ship moored to the pier that’s home to an oyster bar. From the pier, you can see the Statue of Liberty in the distance as well as a view of Lower Manhattan.

   📍 Location: between Franklin Street and N. Moore Street

   ⭐ Highlights:

   • Playground
   • Minigolf
   • Beach volleyball
   • Grand Banks Oyster Bar

   

2. Pier 45: Relax on the grass lawn

   Pier 45 is also known as Christopher Street Pier, and it’s a great place to unwind. The pier offers plenty of greenery and lawns, and many New Yorkers can be found there on hot days. Free concerts are also held here during the summer months. Pier 45 is located off the West Village.

   📍 Location: at Christopher Street

   ⭐ Highlights:

   • Relaxing on the lawn
   • Free concerts

3. Pier 57: Food with views

   The old maritime shipping and storage terminal has been reconstructed into the current Pier 57. A park on the building’s roof offers views of Little Island, Downtown Manhattan, and the Chelsea Piers. In the food market, located inside the building, you can enjoy all kinds of dishes. From Japanese and Italian to Chinese and Cajun, Market 57 has it all.

   📍 Location: at West 15th Street

   ⭐ Highlights:

   • Food hall
   • Rooftop park with great views

   

4. Pier 66: Seafood on the water

   Pier 66 is definitely the place to be for dining. The big red boat moored at the pier is called the Frying Pan, and it’s a fun place to eat. There are lots of cosy seating areas on the pier where you can enjoy all kinds of seafood and other dishes. It’s an especially magical place in the evening. During the winter months, the restaurant is closed. You can combine a meal at Pier 66 with a visit to nearby Hudson Yards.

   📍 Location: at West 26th Street

   ⭐ Highlights:

   • Seafood restaurant

   

5. Little Island: Park on stilts

   Little Island is a unique pier with a park standing on 280 concrete stilts in the water. This green park looks very futuristic and is beautifully landscaped. You can explore the ‘secret garden’ here, stroll along the various paths and enjoy the sun on one of the lawns. You can get something to eat at the nearby Chelsea Market, and then have a picnic on one of the lawns of Little Island!

   📍 Location: at West 13th Street

   ⭐ Highlights:

   • Unique architecture
   • Green park
   • Secret garden
   • Picnic

   

6. Gansevoort Peninsula: Beach in Manhattan

   Manhattan’s first beach can be found on the Gansevoort Peninsula. Pier 53 has been completely renovated into an oasis of green, and there is also sports equipment and a dog park. Because Gansevoort Peninsula is near the Whitney Museum, it’s a great idea to combine the two.

   📍 Location: between Gansevoort Street and Little West 12th Street

   ⭐ Highlights:

   • Beach
   • Lawns
   • Sports equipment
   • Dog park

7. Pier 84: Seeking refreshment

   Pier 84 lies between the pier that is the departure point for the Circle Line boats and the pier where the Intrepid Museum is located. Among other features, there is a water fountain on this pier where visitors can cool off on hot days. Another way to cool off is by going kayaking or on a SUP board and admiring New York from the water.

   📍 Location: at West 44th Street

   ⭐ Highlights:

   • Water fountain
   • Kayaking and SUP

   

8. Chelsea Piers: Waterfront sports and entertainment

   Piers 59, 60 and 61 make up the Chelsea Piers, where you can do all kinds of activities. For example, there is a golf club and a bowling alley, and you can go ice skating. Furthermore, the complex is a venue for many interesting events, and the Silver Screen Studios can also be found here. Scenes from Law & Order, among other popular shows, were shot in this movie studio.

   📍 Location: between West 17th Street and West 23rd Street

   ⭐ Highlights:

   • Lots of sports
   • Event venue
   • Silver Screen Studios

About Eric »

Hey there, I'm Eric!

I'm a true New York fan with over 20 years of experience visiting and living in NYC. Here on my website, I share all my tips and valuable information to help you make the most of your trip. I personally test and regularly re-test everything on my site to ensure that what I write is useful, honest, and always up-to-date.

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Eric’s Tip: “Cycling in Hudson River Park is especially nice; you can follow a long, protected bike path with views of the river and plenty of green spaces. Stop by any pier to take a break, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere or have lunch. You can rent a bike for a full day to explore New York. You can also book a picnic with your bike.”