From views of bridges to gorgeous cherry blossom trees in spring to incredible views of the skyline, the picnic spots in NYC have a lot to offer.
Whether you’re going on a date or want to have fun with friends, a picnic is incredible! Especially when the weather is great, a picnic is very relaxing. And the amazing places where you can do so in NYC will surprise you for sure.
If you’re looking for picnic spots in New York City, look no further! In this guide, you can find the best places to check out if you’re planning a picnic in the city.
Best Picnic Spots in NYC
Sheep Meadow
One of the most central places to have a picnic when you are in New York City is Sheep Meadow. This is a meadow that you can find in he south end of Central Park.
It is a very large space that is a perfect place for a relaxing picnic. In total, Sheep Meadow is a lawn with an area of 15 acres.
You can sit down here on a blanket while enjoying the peaceful nature while being surrounded by the tall buildings of Manhattan.
An interesting fact about this place is that sheep used to graze at this place, which is why it is now called “Sheep Meadow”.
Keep in mind that Sheep Meadow is not open during the winter season to make sure the quality of the lawn is optimal for other times of the year.
Bryant Park
Bryant Park, located in Midtown Manhattan, is a beautiful 9.6-acre park that is located next to the New York Public Library.
The park has a beautiful lawn that is perfect for a picnic in NYC. And in addition to that, there are also a lot of benches and chairs at the park.
Furthermore, throughout the year there is also a lot to do in Bryant Park. For example, during the summer season, you can attend the Bryant Park Picnic Performances. This is a free outdoor festival in the park during which you can enjoy great music, dance, and opera while you are having a picnic in Bryant Park.
Also, in winter there is a free ice skating rink in Bryant Park.
Madison Square Park
Madison Square Park is a wonderful 6.2-acre public park that is located next to Madison Avenue in the Flatiron District.
The park has a beautiful lawn that is ideal if you want to bring your own blanket and have a picnic. What’s great is that there are many trees, so there are a lot of spots where you can have a picnic in the shadow, which is great on a hot summer day.
In addition to that, there are many events that take place at Madison Square Park.
For example, there are free lunchtime tours that sometimes change. Also, there are all kinds of meet-ups that take place at Madison Square Park.
Domino Park
Looking for a great spot for a picnic in Brooklyn? Then, Domino Park is a great place to consider.
This is a 5-acre public park that is located in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.
The park is located along the East River and is close to the Williamsburg Bridge.
There are several lawns in Domino Park where you can have a relaxing time. What’s great is that you can have a picnic here during which you can enjoy a view of the Williamsburg Bridge, the river, and the skyline of Manhattan.
Besides that, there are also benches that you can use for your picnic.
McCarren Park
One of the best picnic spots in New York City is McCarren Park.
This park, which is located between Williamsburg and Greenpoint, is a beautiful 35-acre place that is very popular for outdoor recreation. You can also see beautiful cherry blossom trees here during spring.
There are many areas where you can lie down on your own blanket and enjoy a relaxing picnic.
What’s great about this park is that you can combine a relaxing picnic with a workout here. That’s because there are many facilities for outdoor sports at McCarren Park. For example, there are facilities for softball, soccer, and volleyball.
There are also outdoor pools at McCarren Park that are free to go to.
Rockefeller Park
Rockefeller Park is a large park with a large lawn that is perfect if you’re looking for picnic spots in NYC.
You can find the park next to the Hudson River and it has a very central location. Especially when you are exploring the financial district of New York City, this is a great place to check out.
What’s nice is that you can enjoy an incredible view from the lawn when you are having a picnic here. For example, you can see the iconic Statue of Liberty and parts of New Jersey from the park.
Also, what’s nice about this park for a picnic is that there are many pretty flowers.
Main Street Lawn
The Main Street Lawn is a small lawn that you can find in Brooklyn It is located under the Manhattan Bridge, and when you go here for a picnic you can enjoy a view of the Brooklyn Bridge at the same time.
In addition to that, one can enjoy a view of the East River from the Main Street Lawn and you can also see the historic Jane’s Carousel from here.
What’s great is that there are also benches and other areas where you can sit down at the Main Street Lawn, which makes this a great place for a relaxing picnic in summer!
Keep in mind that the lawn sometimes closes for maintenance.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is a lovely park that you can find in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of the city. The park is one of the most famous parks in New York City, and it is also an ideal location for a picnic when you are in NYC.
The park has several lawns where you can lie down on your own blanket to have a relaxing time. Moreover, there are lots of trees that can provide shade in summer.
What’s nice is that there is a lot of beautiful nature at Washington Square Park, including pretty flowers.
In addition to that, you can find the Washington Square Arch here, which is an interesting historic monument that commemorates George Washington, the first president of the United States.
Furthermore, there are often events, such as live music events at Washington Square Park. You can combine going to these events with having a picnic at the park.
Battery Park
The Battery is a large public park of 25 acres that you can find at the southernmost point of Manhattan.
The park offers many good places for a relaxing picnic. For example, the Battery Oval lawn is a perfect place for this. This is an area with a lot of trees that provide shade on a hot summer day.
You can also find a lot of historic structures in The Battery, such as the Castle Clinton National Monument, which is a 19th-century fort that served as the first immigration station of the United States.
In addition to that, The Battery offers amazing views of the Hudson River and you can also see the Statue of Liberty from the park.
Marsha P. Johnson State Park
Located in Brooklyn, the Marsha P. Johnson State Park is a state park of 11 acres that is perfect for a picnic in New York City.
You can find the park in the Williamsburg neighborhood and it is located along the East River.
At the park, you can enjoy a view of the Williamsburg Bridge, the East River, and parts of Manhattan, which can be great during a picnic!
Furthermore, you can find a lot of great spots near the park that you can also go to when you are having a picnic here. For example, you can combine a picnic with going to Smorgasburg. This is a popular open-air food market with many local vendors where you can get delicious and varied food.
Great Lawn
The Great Lawn is a huge lawn of 55 acres that you can find in Central Park.
It is a beautiful area with a lot of space for a picnic. While having a picnic here, you can see beautiful nature and the tall surrounding buildings of Manhattan.
You can also find six softball fields here, so if you want to combine a picnic with playing softball, that’s possible here.
Furthermore, the Great Lawn hosts lots of annual events. For example, you can often enjoy amazing concerts at the Great Lawn.
Keep in mind that, like Sheep Meadow, this lawn is closed during winter such that the lawn can rest and be ready for new picnics during other times of the year.
More NYC Articles
Venues for classical music in NYC
New York City Picnic Spots Tips
When you choose one of these picnic spots in New York City, don’t forget to bring a blanket with you! You’ll have a much more comfortable time when you do.
Also, there are many areas with not much shadow, so keep this in mind when you are having a picnic on a sunny day!
Picnic Spots in New York City Map
This was my guide to the best picnic spots in NYC. I hope I helped you plan you picnic!