NYC Parks & Dog Runs

There are many great parks and dog runs around New York City! Alice is not always a fan of dog parks because she gets overwhelmed when several dogs come over to meet her at once. But she does enjoy meeting and sniffing new dog friends (one or two at a time) - and sniffing out which humans have treats! This is a guide to our favorite parks and dog runs around Manhattan and Brooklyn.

< Pier 84 Dog Run

NYC Parks

Obviously, Central Park is a must-see for anyone visiting New York! Alice and I go there almost every day. I am working on a thorough post about Central Park and suggested routes to follow - hopefully it will be up in the next couple of weeks! But there are many other parks that Alice and I enjoy throughout the city.

Riverside Park - Riverside Drive & W 59th to W 135th St, Manhattan

Riverside Park is one of the most beautiful and romantic parks I’ve ever walked through. The tree-lined promenade is gorgeous and provides the perfect amount of shade in the summer. The bike and running path along the Hudson brings you right next to the water. The gardens and landscaping are lovely and well-kept. There are several dog runs throughout the park, plus off-leash hours from 6:00am-9:00am (as long as you stay more than five blocks away from a dog run). Riverside Park also hosts several cultural events throughout the summer that include dancing, live music, and other experiences.

Top locations within Riverside Park:

• Riverside Park South - This area has beautifully manicured lawns and sculptures that are constantly changing! Enter at W 59th and walk north.

• W 79th Street Boat Basin - The café here has permanently closed, which is a tragedy! But it’s still beautiful and the new pier open to the public has nice views of the George Washington Bridge.

• The Promenade - Start at the Warsaw Ghetto Memorial (approximately W 83rd St) and keep walking north, or enter at W. 98th and walk north.

• Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument - This monument at Riverside & W 89th was erected in 1902 in memory of those who served in the Civil War.

• 91st Street Garden - If you’re a fan of You’ve Got Mail, this is where Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks meet in the final scene and it is so beautiful!

• General Grant Memorial - W 122nd & Riverside

Hudson River Park - West St & Chambers St to W 56th St, Manhattan

Hudson River Park is huge and spans about four miles along the river. It has a few dog runs and many piers you can walk onto for excellent views of One World Trade and the Empire State Building! There are also a few outdoor dining options throughout the park.

Top locations within the park:

• City Vineyard - Restaurant and winery with dog-friendly outdoor patio. Located next to Pier 26, near Hubert St and West St.

• Christopher Street Pier - Beautiful views from the end of this pier, and there is a lot of interesting sculptural art in this area. Enter the park at Christopher St & West St.

• Pier 62 & Pier 64 - This area is tucked away from the city near Chelsea Piers. There are many nice elements to these piers, including a carousel and beautiful landscaping.

• The Intrepid - Dogs aren’t allowed to inside the Intrepid museum, but you can see the ship from nearby Pier 84! Pier 84 is also home to our favorite dog run, which has kiddie pools and a hose. Located at W 44th & 12th Ave.

Battery Park - Battery Pl & State St, Manhattan

Battery Park is situated at the southern tip of Manhattan. It has glorious views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and downtown Manhattan. Don’t miss the statues and memorials along the water, and stroll through the beautiful gardens before settling for a rest or picnic in the shaded grass lawns in the summer. Then walk northwest into Wagner Park and Oasis Park, which have gorgeous landscaping and views as well.

East River Park - Delancey St & FDR Dr, Manhattan

This park stretches for over a mile along the East River and passes underneath the Williamsburg Bridge. The views of Brooklyn are lovely, but my favorite spot is Corlears Hook - if you walk south next to the water, this is the moment when the island curves to the west, revealing a breathtaking view of the Statue of Liberty underneath the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges.

Washington Square Park - 5th Ave & Washington Square North, Manhattan

One of the most iconic locations in NYC. There is always live music, the view of the Empire State Building through the Arch is lovely, and the people-watching is possibly the greatest in the city.

Madison Square Park - E 23rd St & 5th Ave, Manhattan

Madison Square Park is across the street from the Flatiron Building, and is also the home of the original Shake Shack! There is always a cool art installation in the park, and they have live music and other fun events throughout the summer.

Bryant Park - W 42nd St & 6th Ave, Manhattan

The trees in this park are so beautiful. Alice and I love walking through and getting a coffee or snack at one of the kiosks here in the summer, or shopping at the Christmas market in the winter. Plus, the historic New York Public Library (sadly not dog-friendly) is right next to the park!

Columbia University Quad - W 116th St & Broadway, Manhattan

Not technically a park, but Columbia is absolutely beautiful and anyone can go through the main entrance and walk around the quad during the day.

Domino Park - Grand St & River St, Brooklyn

This park opened in 2018 and is named for the Domino Sugar Refinery that used to be there. Come here for views of the Manhattan skyline and the Williamsburg Bridge (and Manhattan & Brooklyn Bridges too), tacos and margs at Tacocina, to cool off by running through the fountains, or to relax on the lounge chairs or lawns.

Brooklyn Bridge Park - Water St & Old Fulton St, Brooklyn

The views here are incomparable. Located under the Brooklyn Bridge, this park is a must-see for anyone visiting New York. Ride the carousel, eat ice cream, rock climb at The Cliffs, sit on the “beach” and watch the waves of the East River.

Prospect Park - Eastern Pkwy & Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn

Prospect Park is one of the largest parks in Brooklyn! There are so many different areas where you can get lost and forget you’re in the city. Make sure you hit up the dog beach with your pup!

McCarren Park - N 12th & Driggs Ave, Brooklyn

Alice and I spend a whole lot of time in Williamsburg, and I often complain about how much I miss Central Park when I’m there. McCarren is quite small, but it’s the largest grassy area in the neighborhood, so Alice and I have grown to love it. There are lots of trees providing shaded grass to rest in, and plenty of restaurants nearby to pick up from and have a picnic.

Marsha P Johnson State Park - N 9th St & Kent Ave, Brooklyn

Another favorite Williamsburg park. This park also offers lots of grass (well… for the neighborhood), but not a ton of shade. We love coming here for the skyline views and the little beach along the East River - Alice really enjoys walking through the water to cool off in the summer. Combine with nearby Bushwick Inlet Park and N 5th St Pier for a good walk/adventure!

NYC Dog Runs

If your pup loves playing with other dogs and isn’t a run-away risk, you must go to off-leash hours in Central Park. There aren’t any dog runs within Central Park, but you’ll find plenty of leash-less dogs roaming, running, and playing between 6:00 and 9:00 every morning! During other hours (or if your doggo can’t be trusted not to chase after a squirrel until he gets lost), there are plenty of dog runs throughout the city.

West 72nd Street Dog Run - Riverside Park, Manhattan

This is our favorite dog run in Riverside Park! It’s quite large and has separate areas for large and small dogs. It’s also at the top of a staircase that leads to the Hudson River Greenway, which is right along the water.

Pier 84 Dog Run - Hudson River Park, Manhattan

Alice loves this dog run in the summer because it has kiddie pools and a hose! She really enjoys cooling off in the water on a warm day after a walk. It also has awesome views of the Intrepid!

Jemmy’s Dog Run - Madison Square Park, Manhattan

A smaller dog run in the middle of the city, but it has views of the Flatiron Building and the Empire State Building! Stop by Shack Shack after to replenish all the calories you and your dog burned - they have dog treats too :)

Washington Square Park Dog Run - Washington Square South & Thompson St, Manhattan

This dog park has separate areas for large and small dogs, and plenty of cute Greenwich Village restaurants nearby with sidewalk seating for lunch or a glass of wine after all the running and playing!

Parks Dog Run under the FDR - FDR Dr & Wall St, Manhattan

Another dog run with a hose and pool for pups to play in! This park is located just off the East River, near South Street Seaport and Wall Street.

Domino Park Dog Run - River St & S 3rd St, Brooklyn

Gorgeous views of the Williamsburg Bridge! This is a very tiny dog run, but the location is so wonderful.