Central Park vs Riverside Park
How lucky are we to have two of the best parks in NYC?! With so much to do in New York City, certainly visiting one of the many gorgeous parks is on your list. Whether you’re a local or just visiting for the weekend – deciding which park to visit is not to be taken lightly! Central Park and Riverside Park on the Upper West Side of NYC are two of our favorites, and we highly suggest visiting both. But if you are crunched for time, here’s a little cheat sheet to help you determine an answer to Central Park versus Riverside Park!
The competition doesn’t have to end with these two. Check out some smaller parks on the Upper West Side!
Central Park is Manhattan’s largest park with a 6.1 mile perimeter (calling all semi-serious runners – this park is for you!). It is full of divine topography, playgrounds, sports courts, and horse drawn buggies.
Restaurants:
There are two popular restaurants in the park: Tavern on the Green (67th St Central Park West) and Loeb Boathouse (E 74th St & ). Both restaurants are known for their ambience (and are more on the formal side), but Tavern on the Green is a more formal restaurant with exquisite decor while Loeb Boathouse Restaurant is an American cuisine restaurant on the lake (you can even hire a Venetian gondola!).
Park Highlights:
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- Central Park Zoo
- Statues
- The Great Lawn
- Sheep Meadow
- Central Park Playgrounds
- Strawberry Fields
- Bethesda Terrace
- The Reservoir
- The Ramble
- Lasker Pool
- The Turtle Pond
- Belvedere Castle
- Delacorte Theater
- Bird Watching
- Running/Bike Paths
- Sports courts
- People watching
- The carousel
- Two Central Park Ice Skating Rinks
- Horse drawn buggies
Events in Central Park
- Nature Tours in Central Park
- Sip For The Sea
- The Central Park Horse Show
- 50th Anniversary Central Park Art Exhibit
- Dog Fair in Central Park
- Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla
- Harlem Meer Festival
- Ozy Fest
- Central Park SummerStage 2019
- Shakespeare in the Park
Riverside Park boasts unbeatable views of the Hudson River, and while Central Park pulls all the tourists, Riverside Park has a more local flare. You’ll find it much less touristy and much more functional. You will be more likely to grab an empty bench, picnic spot, field, or court. You can even find the spot where Tom and Meg got together in You’ve Got Mail!
Park Highlights:
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- Kayaking (free, summer season)
- The 72nd Street Pier
- Running/Bike Paths
- Sports courts/handball courts
- Boat watching on the Hudson
- Elephant fountain (be sure to bring your swimsuit!) and playgrounds for kids.
- Historical monuments (General Grant’s Memorial, Joan of Arc Memorial, and Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial are just a few!)
- Riverside Park South
- Dog Runs
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Food & Drink
- The Boat Basin
- Ellington in the Park
- Pier I Cafe
And as an added bonus, until the end of August, you can witness GOATHAM: actual goats grazing in Riverside Park!
