It's 60 degrees and sunny! Get your small gathering together, your gingham blanket (or maybe that full-size sheet that you don't care too much about) and enjoy the great outdoors. Here are some of our favorite spots in New York City to enjoy a brown paper bag of wine and the disproportionate ratio of hummus to chips al fresco.
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Photo Via Fort Tryon Park Trust Instagram
Fort Tryon in Washington Heights is the ultimate escape from NYC without crossing the George Washington Bridge. Pack your picnic basket and head to the picturesque Heather Garden, which offers gorgeous views of the Palisades and feels like a fairytale wonderland.
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Photo via Governors Island Instagram
If island escapes are more your style, hop on the ferry and spend an afternoon at Governors Island. With plenty of grassy space to spread out a blanket and a wealth of hammocks, picnic tables and spaces to grill, picnicking on Governors Island feels the way picnicking should feel.
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Central Park is probably the first place you think to have a picnic and so long as you follow the guidelines for social distancing, this can be totally feasible. However, being that it’s one of the most famous parks on the planet, here's a pro-tip: Head to the Great Hill on the northwestern end of the park for a quieter space with picnic tables and public restrooms.
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Brooklyn’s take on Central Park has no shortage of spots to spread out a picnic blanket. Stock up on snacks and find a spot on Long Meadow, which stretches over most of the west end of the park.
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Photo via NYC Parks Department
One of the best parts of exploring Staten Island is that you can pretend you’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem because most folks off the Island probably won’t know about your discovery. Take the ferry (it’s free and you can indulge in ferry beers) and jump on the S62 or ride your bike to this park that feels straight out of a storybook. If that doesn’t pique your interest, the park is built on a forgotten burial ground so you can ghost hunt after you’ve chowed down.
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Photo via Flickr
There is something magical about the hilly, 30-acre park nestled in the middle of Fort Greene. There are plenty of spots to barbecue and grassy space to spread out with your charcuterie board and a bottle of wine, or uh—“thermos of juice” to drink and people-watch.
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Photo via NYC Parks Department
Open from 6am - 1am, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers a great space to experience Spring in the city. The sprawling Brooklyn Bridge Park stretches between Dumbo and Cobble Hill with plenty of things to do in between. There are green patches abound for picnic lunches, as well as waterfront picnic tables and barbecues.
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Photo via Wikipedia Commons
As the name suggests, Sunset Park is the perfect place for a sunset picnic. Perched atop a hill in the eponymous Brooklyn neighborhood, Sunset Park offers a gorgeous view of the Manhattan skyline and even the Statue of Liberty from certain higher points on the hill. After you’ve sufficiently stuffed yourself with snacks, get a volleyball game going or simply take in the fresh air.
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Photo Via NYC Parks Department
The Bronx might seem like a hike but make it an afternoon and plan a picnic at Van Cortlandt Park. The enormous park has no shortage of places to spread out your picnic blanket, as well as a wealth of things to do after ants have seized your cheese plate. There are bocce ball courts, cricket fields, horseback riding, and hiking trails to burn some calories after you’ve eaten too many cookies.
If you’re looking for picnics as well as other activities look no further than the largest park in Queens, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Head to flushing meadows with your finest picnic and take some pics of the Unisphere, while your feet wet in the fountain. Barbeque at their designated spots off Lake West and Lake East and get an empanada from Empanada Cafe or an icee from Lemon Ice King of Corona, their bubblegum flavor is to die for! End your day by checking out the Carousel, Queens Museum, New York Hall of Science, and Queens Zoo!
Want to dip your toes in the sand? Rockaway Beach Park located in Far Rockaway, Queens is the perfect beach picnic spot! Enjoy takeout seafood from Bungalow Bar, you have to try their oysters! Then learn how to surf at Surfs Up NY, Hang Ten!
Looking for the perfect quiet romantic picnic date? Check out Roosevelt Island! Tired of traveling underground? For the same MetroCard fare, you can fly in the sky on the Roosevelt Island Tramway and see breathtaking views of the city, 250 feet in the air! Head over to Southpoint park for views of both Manhattan and Queens! Then take a scenic stroll at sunset along the boardwalk, the perfect place for Instagram pictures or alone time with your boo!
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Looking for more things to do outdoors? Check out our list of Hiking Just Outside the City.
Written By: Sienna Barlow
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