Wondering where the best playgrounds are in New York City? There are over 1400 parks and playgrounds in NYC! As a local mom, I’ve taken my kids to numerous playgrounds all over the City. I’m sharing with you our favorite playgrounds in New York City. Below you will find a list of the best playgrounds in Manhattan.
I’ve organized the playgrounds by locations so it is easy for you to navigate. I’ve also included directions on how to get to the playground via subway.
Best Playgrounds in New York City- West Side Downtown
1. Hudson River Park Pier 25 Playground
If you want to spend all day at a playground in New York City, the Hudson River Park Pier 25 playground is the best playground in Manhattan to spend all day in. Located on the longest pier on Hudson River Park, there are so many things to do at Pier 25.
The Hudson River Park Pier 25 playground has rock climbing, play structures, sand box, swing sets and slides. In the summer, they turn on the water sprays. My kids love running around the water play area!
Tired of the playground? Try the nearby sand volleyball court, 18 hole mini-golf, skate park or turf field. There are even historic ships at the pier that your kids will enjoy watching. You can even board the ship and tour it for free! Go to the Grand Banks (the Oyster Bar).
Hungry? Get a snack from the snack bar! There is really something for everyone at Pier 25! You can definitely spend all day there! Plus the views are amazing, you can see the Statue of Liberty from there as well as Ellis Island.
Where is Hudson River Park Pier 25 located?
Hudson River Park Pier 25 is located in Hudson River Park at Pier 25- between North Moore street and Harrison Street.
How to Get to Hudson River Park Pier 25 by Subway?
Take the 1 (red) subway lines and get off the Franklin Street station. Walk 3 blocks west towards the Hudson River.
Are there Restrooms at Hudson River Park Pier 25?
There are restrooms at the Hudson River Park Pier 25.
2. Hudson River Park Pier 51 Playground
Hudson River Park Pier 51 is one of the best waterfront playgrounds in Manhattan. You will get breathtaking views of the Hudson River. Kids will love watching the sailboats!
Pier 51 is a nautical themed playground with climbing structures, slides, a pirate ship and sand. Water is turned on during the summer months. Prepare to get wet! Bring extra clothes and sunblock!
Where is Hudson River Park Pier 51 Playground located?
Hudson River Park Pier 51 Playground is located in Hudson River Park at Pier 51- between Jane Street and Horatio Street
How to Get to Hudson River Park Pier 51 Playground by Subway?
To get to Hudson River Park Playground at Pier 51, take the 1 or 2 or 3 (red) line to the 14th Street station. From there, walk approximately 5 blocks west towards the Hudson River.
Are there Restrooms at Hudson River Park Pier 51 Playground?
There are bathrooms at the Hudson River Park Pier 51 playground.
3. Hudson River Park Chelsea Waterside Playground
The Chelsea Waterside Playground at Hudson River Park features one of the longest slides in Manhattan- a 64 foot wooden slide and climbing structures. The slide is the shape of a pipefish designed by a Denmark based playground company.
During the summer months, the water fountains are turned on so kids can run around and get wet! There are also basketball courts, athletic field and a dog run near the playground. If you walk towards the water, you will find the carousel at Pier 63, a big lawn and a skate park.
Where is Hudson River Park Chelsea Waterside Playground located?
Hudson River Park Chelsea Waterside Playground is located in Hudson River Park at West 23rd street and 11th Ave
How to Get to Hudson River Park Chelsea Waterside Playground by Subway?
To get to the Hudson River Park’s Chelsea Waterside Playground, take the A or C (blue) line subway to 23rd Street station. You will get off at 23rd Street and 8th Avenue, walk 3 (big) blocks west towards the Hudson River.
Are there Restrooms at Hudson River Park Chelsea Waterside Playground?
There are bathrooms at the Chelsea Waterside Playground.
Best Playgrounds in New York City- East Side Downtown
1. Imagination Playground
Imagination Playground is one of the best playgrounds in downtown Manhattan. Designed by architect David Rockwell, the Imagination Playground is a fun, interactive playground where kids can go on the slide, swing, climb and build with big foam blocks.
There is also water and sand to play with at the Imagination Playground. Plus wheelbarrows and buckets! Your kids will have a great time playing at the Imagination Playground.
Where is Imagination Playground located?
Imagination Playground is located near South Street Seaport at Burling Slip (South St., Front St. and and John St.)
How to Get to Imagination Playground by Subway?
Imagination Playground is located in Front Street, John Street and South Street (next to South Street Seaport). You can take the subway and get off at the Fulton street stop. Imagination Playground is a few blocks east towards the East River. Take the A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4 and 5 trains, they all stop at Fulton Street.
Best Playgrounds in New York City- Downtown Wall Street Area
1. Battery Playscape
The Battery Playscape is one of the best playgrounds in downtown New York City. If your kids love to slide- this is the playground for them!
Kids will enjoy sliding down the 5 granite slides. There is even one slide that is 18 feet high! Kids will enjoy digging in the big sand box and discover hidden creatures buried in the sand. There are also several playhouses with connecting bridges, tunnels and net climbing structures.
Need a break? Catch a show at the theater or just sit at the amphitheater seats.
The Battery Playscape is conveniently located next to the Staten Island Ferry terminal (catch the free ferry!), Battery Seaglass carousel as well as the Battery Bosque Fountain (large water play area). There is so much to do! You can spend all day at the Battery!
Where is Battery Playscape located?
Battery Playscape is located in The Battery at 20 State Street
How to Get to Battery Playscape by Subway?
The Battery is located at State Street and Battery Place. You can get there by taking the subway.
Below is a list of subway trains to take to get to the Battery. You basically get off where the Staten Island Ferry terminal area is and walk over to the Battery.
- Take the 1 Train and get off at South Ferry Station (make sure you are on the first 5 cars of the 1 Train otherwise the doors won’t open if you are not in the first 5 cars!). Take the 4 or 5 Trains and get off at Bowling Green Station
- Take the J or Z Trains and get off at Broad Street station
- Take the R Train and get off at the Whitehall Street station
Are there Restrooms at Battery Playscape?
There are three publicly accessible restrooms in The Battery. They are located outside the View at Battery Park Restaurant, Castle Clinton National Monument, and adjacent to the Battery Bikeway on Battery Place.
The closest restroom to Battery Playscape will be in the Battery Gardens Restaurant and the second closest restroom is at the Castle Clinton National Monument.
Best Playgrounds in New York City- Battery Park City
1. Nelson A. Rockefeller Park Playground
The Nelson A. Rockefeller Park playground is a great place to stop in if you are in the Battery Park City area. There are climbing structures and swings. My kids love to take a spin on the merry-go around play structure.
Where is Nelson A. Rockefeller Park Playground located?
Nelson A. Rockefeller Park Playground is located in North end of Battery Park City, west of River Terrace
How to Get to Nelson A. Rockefeller Park Playground by Subway?
The Nelson A. Rockefeller park playground is located in Battery Park City. You can take the subway 1 or 2 or 3 (red) line to Chambers Street station or the take the subway A or C or E (blue) line to Chambers Street station. From Chambers street station, walk west towards the Hudson River.
Are there Restrooms at Nelson A. Rockefeller Park Playground?
There are restroom facilities across the street from the Park House.
2. Tear Drop Park Playground
The Teardrop Park Playground in Battery Park City is a blast if you have kids who love to slide! There is a long slide, sandboxes and water play area.
Where is Tear Drop Park Playground located?
Tear Drop Park Playground is located in Between Warren Street and Murray Street, east of River Terrace
How to Get to Tear Drop Park Playground by Subway?
The Teardrop park playground is located in Battery Park City. You can take the subway 1 or 2 or 3 (red) line to Chambers Street station or take the subway A or C or E (blue) line to Chambers Street station. From Chambers street station, walk west towards the Hudson River.
Are there Restrooms at Tear Drop Park Playground?
There are restroom facilities across the street from the Park House.
Best Playground in New York City- Chinatown
1. Hester Street Playground
Whenever we are in the Chinatown area, we always stop in to play at the Hester Street Playground. It’s a large playground with multiple swing areas, multi-level climbing structures, slides, swings and monkey bars. There is also a toddler area with play structure and sand. During the summer, they turn on the water mists. It’s definitely a fun playground for kids of all ages!
Where is Hester Street Playground located?
Hester Street Playground is located in Sara D. Roosevelt Park between Grand & Hester Street
How to Get to Hester Street Playground by Subway?
The Hester Street Playground is located in the Sara D. Roosevelt Park on Hester Street between Chrystie and Forsyth Streets. You can take the subway B or D (orange) line to Grand Street and walk a block south to Hester street.
Are there Restrooms at Hester Street Playground?
There are restroom facilities at the Hester Street Playground.
Best Playground New York City- Greenwich Village
1. Washington Square Park Playgrounds
Washington Square Park Playground is our go-to playground whenever we are in the Greenwich Village area. There are actually 3 playgrounds in Washington Square Park- a toddler playground, the main playground and a play hill.
The toddler playground is great for little ones because there are no big kids running around causing havoc! Plus everything is sized appropriately for toddlers.
The main playground is great for the big kids- there are slides and sand. The Play Hill is a turf play area with climbing ropes for kids to climb, run and roll down the hill in!
Where are Washington Square Park Playgrounds located?
Washington Square Park Playgrounds is located in Washington Square Park- Washington Square North and Washington Square East (Playground), Washington Square Park North and West of 5th Ave (Toddler Playground) and Washington Square South and Sullivan (Play Hills)
How to Get to Washington Square Park Playgrounds by Subway?
Washington Square Park Playground is located right in Washington Square Park. You can take the subway to R or Q (yellow) and get off the 8th Street NYU station. From there Washington Square Park is a block away.
Are there Restrooms at Washington Square Park Playgrounds?
There are restroom facilities at Washington Square Park playgrounds.
Best New York City Playground- Union Square Area
1. Evelyn’s Playground
The Evelyn’s Playground is the best playground in the Union Square area. It’s convenient and easy to get to even by subway. Kids love climbing the play structure at Evelyn’s Playground. The slides, swings and sandbox are fun. During the summer months, they turn on the water area so it’s great for cooling off!
Where is Evelyn’s Playground located?
Evelyn’s Playground is located in Union Square West between 16th and 17th street
How to Get to Evelyn’s Playground by Subway?
Evelyn’s Playground is located right at Union Square. You can take the subway 4 or 5 or 6 (green) and get off the 14th Street- Union Square station or take the Q (yellow) or the L (grey) and get off the 14th street-Union Square station. It’s easily accessible and does not require a lot of walking to get to since the playground is right at northeast side of Union Square.
Are there Restrooms at Evelyn’s Playground?
There are restroom facilities at Evelyn’s Playground.
Best Playgrounds in Manhattan- Madison Square Park Area
1. Madison Square Park Playground (Police Officer Moira Ann Smith Playground)
The Madison Square Park playground is a fun, colorful playground that really comes to life in the summer months. During the year, kids can climb and slide down the play structure. There are also swings.
But during the summer, when they turn on the water sprays- expect kids to get soaked! It’s a lot of fun to run around the water fountains and water wheels.
Plus it’s near Shake Shack so you can easily feed your kids after burning all that energy!
Where is Madison Square Park Playground (Police Officer Moira Ann Smith Playground) located?
Madison Square Park Playground (Police Officer Moira Ann Smith Playground) is located in Madison Square Park at 25th and 26th street entrance. Madison Avenue and 26th street.
How to Get to Madison Square Park Playground (Police Officer Moira Ann Smith Playground) by Subway?
Madison Square Park playground is located in the Northwest corner of Madison Square Park at 26th street and Madison Avenue. You can take th 6 (green) line to 28th street station. Walk west towards Madison Square Park.
Are there Restrooms at Madison Square Park Playground (Police Officer Moira Ann Smith Playground)?
There are no restroom facilities at the Madison Square Park Playground.
Best Playgrounds in Manhattan- Central Park South
1. Heckscher Playground
Heckscher Playground is one of the oldest playgrounds in New York City. It’s a popular playground located in Central Park. The highlight of the playground is the water play area. It’s great to visit during a hot summer day! There are also swings, slides and climbing structures. Your kids will definitely burn off energy at the Heckscher Playground!
The playground is near Central Park Zoo so it’s convenient if you are planning to visit the zoo.
Where is Heckscher Playground located?
Heckscher Playground is located in Central Park between 61st and 63rd street
How to Get to Heckscher Playground by Subway?
Heckscher Playground is located mid-park between 61st and 63rd street. You can take the subway A or C (blue), B or D (orange), 1 or 2 or 3 (red) lines and get off the 59th street- Columbus Circle station. From Columbus Circle, just walk east towards Central Park.
You can also take the subway lines 4 or 5 or 6 (green) and get off the Lexington Avenue-59th Street Station. From there, you walk west towards Central Park.
You can also take the R or W (yellow) subway lines and get off the 59th street and 5th Avenue station. From there, walk into Central Park.
Are there Restrooms at Heckscher Playground?
There are restroom facilities at the Heckscher Playground.
Best NYC Upper West Side Playgrounds
1. Hippo Playground
The Hippo Playground is a favorite neighborhood playground. When I used to live in the Upper West Side, this was our go-to playground. My kids love the spraying Hippos which is great for cooling off on hot summer days. There are also climbing structures, swings and slides.
The Riverside Park Playground Project runs free activities at the Hippo Playground. Depending on the season, there are pumpkin carvings, Halloween parades and Arts and Crafts.
Where is Hippo Playground located?
Hippo Playground is located in Riverside Park at West 91st Street and Riverside Drive
How to Get to Hippo Playground by Subway?
The Hippo Playground is located in Riverside Park at West 91st street and Riverside Drive. You can take the subway 1 or 2 or 3 (red) lines and get off at the 96th street station. Walk west towards the Hudson River.
Are there Restrooms at Hippo Playground?
There are restroom facilities at the Hippo Playground.
2. Toll Family Playground
The Toll Family Playground is a great playground for toddlers and preschoolers. There are slides, swings, playhouses and tunnels that are sized just right for toddlers. There are also sand tables, a sand box- bring a bucket and shovel! They turn on the water sprays during summer.
Where is Toll Family Playground located?
Toll Family Playground is located in Central Park at 85th street (west side)
How to Get to the Toll Family Playground by Subway?
The Toll Family Playground is located in Central Park at 85th street (west side). You can take the subway C (blue) or B (Orange) and get off at the 86th street station. From there is a short walk to the entrance of Central Park.
Are there Restrooms at Toll Family Playground?
There are no restroom facilities at the Toll Family Playground.
3. Tarr Family Playground
The Tarr Family Playground is a playground in Central Park’s west side. It’s a great playground to go to if you have both a toddler aged kid and bigger kids. The playground is divided into 2 play areas- one section for the little kids and another section for big kids. The good thing is it is an enclosed playground so if you are watching 2 kids in 2 different sections, you can rest assured that no one is running outside the playground area. The big kids will enjoy climbing the structures, sliding down and going in the tunnels. There are also swings, a wooden treehouse and sand to play with. In the summer months, they turn on the water so kids can cool off!
Where is Tarr Family Playground located?
Tarr Family Playground is located in Central Park at 100th street (west side)
How to Get to Tarr Family Playground by Subway?
The Tarr Family Playground is located in Central Park’s 100th street (west side). You can take the subway C (blue) or B (orange) lines and get off at the 103rd street station. Central Park is steps away from the stop.
Are there Restrooms at Tarr Family Playground?
There are no restroom facilities at the Tarr Family Playground.
Best Playgrounds New York City- Upper East Side
1. Margaret L. Kempner Playground
The Margaret L. Kempner Playground is a favorite playground of ours when we are visiting the Upper East Side. It’s conveniently located near the entrance of Central Park. The playground is sure to burn off energy- kids will enjoy climbing the wooden play structures, slides and swings. In the summer, they turn on the water sprays. There is also a sand area. Prepare to get wet, bring extra change of clothes and towels!
Where is Margaret L. Kempner Playground located?
Margaret L. Kempner Playground is located in Central Park at 96th street (East Side) near the Reservoir
How to Get to Margaret L. Kempner Playground by Subway?
The Margaret L. Kempner Playground is located in Central Park near the east 96th street entrance. You can take the subway 4 or 5 or 6 (green) line and get off at 86th street station. Walk west towards Central Park.
Are there Restrooms at Margaret L. Kempner Playground?
There are no restroom facilities at the Margaret L. Kempner Playground.
2. Billy Johnson Playground
The Billy Johnson Playground is one of the best playgrounds in the Upper East Side. It is known of its granite slides. If your kids love slides then definitely take them to the Billy Johnson Playground.
The Billy Johnson Playground is a playground in Central Park with 2 really long slides. One of the slides is 45 feet long! My kids love to boost up the speed by sitting on one of the cardboard boxes (you’ll see them nearby).
There is also a net climber, swings and sandbox. In the summer, they turn on the water sprays and that is a lot of fun for kids to cool off! But the main highlight of the playground are definitely the slides! Adults can go on them too!
Where is Billy Johnson Playground located?
Billy Johnson Playground is located in Central Park at 67th Street (East Side)
How to Get to Billy Johnson Playground by Subway?
The Billy Johnson Playground is located on the east side of Central Park at 67th street. You can take the subway 6 (green) line and get off at 68th street-Hunter College. Walk a few blocks west towards Central Park.
Are there Restrooms at Billy Johnson Playground?
There are no restroom facilities at the Billy Johnson Playground.
3. Ancient Playground
The Ancient Playground is one of the best playgrounds in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The playground is located just outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Inspired by the Met’s Egyptian collection, the playground has an ancient Egypt theme.
Kids will enjoy climbing up to the top of the pyramid and then sliding down. There are tunnels, bridges, sandbox and swings. In the summer, there are water sprays that gets turned on to cool off the kids in Central Park. The Ancient Playground is a great place to go to after a day at the Met!
Where is the Ancient Playground located?
Ancient Playground is located in Central Park at 85th street (East Side)
How to Get to the Ancient Playground by Subway?
The Ancient Playground is located in the east side of Central Park at 85th street. You can take the subway 4 or 5 or 6 (green) line and get off at 86th street station. Walk a few blocks west towards Central Park.
Are there Restrooms at the Ancient Playground?
There are restroom facilities at the Ancient Playground.
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