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AccessibilityPlaces to Run
Whether you’re training for a big race or looking to take steps towards a healthy and active life, here are our choices of the best places to run in New York City. Try out one of our hiking trails or running tracks today.
Bronx
Bronx River Greenway
Distance: Varies
Good for: long distance runs, scenic views
With miles of parks that tell the story of the river's revival and many amenities and iconic cultural places along the way, the greenway is one of the best places to go running in the Bronx!
Highbridge Parks
Distance: varies
Good for: running on an incline
Run across the High Bridge—New York City’s oldest standing bridge—which re–opened in 2015 after closing for decades for rehabilitation. The bridge connects Manhattan to the Bronx at the Harlem River. Run through the quiet, lush greenery of Highbridge Park on the Manhattan side, a beautiful display of fall colors during the fall. Admire the waterfront view of the park while discovering remnants of the Old Croton Aqueduct, New York City’s first water supply system, which was built between 1837 and 1842.
Orchard Beach and Promenade
Distance: approximately 1.1 miles
Good for: scenic views
Head over to the city’s largest park – three times the size of Central Park – and find the 115-acre, 1.1-mile-long beach, in the park’s northeastern section. Though perfect for running at anytime throughout the day, take in the warm sunrise during your morning run and catch views of City Island and Long Island.
More to do: Take a walk through the Twin Islands Preserve Trail to the rocky shore, for expansive views of the Long Island Sound, David’s Island, and even the southernmost point of New England!
Van Cortlandt Park
Distance: Varies
Good for: long-distance runs, trail running
Van Cortlandt Park is one of the country’s premiere cross country courses. The century-old course tests even the hardiest runners. Follow the 3-mile and 5-mile loops of the Cross Country Running Trail. If you are looking for a quicker and more leveled run, visit the quarter-mile track in the Van Cortlandt Stadium, which also holds handball and basketball courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields and a football/rugby field.
More to do: Enjoy the changing seasons along the hiking trails in Van Cortlandt, and be sure to visit the Van Cortlandt House Museum, the oldest house in the Bronx and New York City's first historic house museum!
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Distance: Varies
Good for: getting used to crowds, scenic views
Run along parts of the 1.3 miles of waterfront while taking in photo-worthy views of Lower Manhattan, One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan Bridge.
More to do: Check out the view from the top at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. You can reach the Brooklyn Bridge near Front Street or Camden Plaza. The bridge is only 1.1 miles long!
Bush Terminal Park
Distance: 0.5 miles
Good for: running loops, scenic views
This serene waterfront park in the Sunset Park neighborhood features lovely views of the city. The sunset is beautiful here and birds flock to the park to enjoy its natural areas. The distance from the park's entrance to one lap around the outer pathway of the soccer field is half of a mile; one lap around the soccer field's outer pathway is approximately 0.37 miles.
Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk
Distance: approx. 3 miles
Good for: getting used to crowds, scenic views
Take a cool run along the iconic boardwalk and beach, home to the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel.
More to do: Lace up at the Abe Stark Ice Skating Rink across from West 19th Street.
Fort Greene Park
Distance: Varies
Good for: running on an incline
Run around the entire park, create your own loop starting with one of the many entrances, or opt for the (1.75 laps/mile) fitness path, which includes access to the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument via the famous Fort Greene Park stairs.
More to do: Head over to the tennis courts near Dekalb Avenue.
Prospect Park
Distance: Varies
Good for: running on an incline, running loops, scenic views
Take your pick! Take a 3.68-mile run around the entire park or opt for a run through the park using the 3.36-mile inner loop.
More to do: Prospect Park has a zoo, birding facility, and and ice skating rink.
Shore Park and Parkway
Distance: approximately 4.5 miles
Good for: scenic views, long-distance runs
The Run: American Veterans Memorial Pier/69th street pier (Bay Ridge) to Toys “R” Us (Bensonhurst Park). Run along the Belt Parkway while taking in views of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge towering over the Narrows. Spot Coney Island, Brooklyn’s Fort Hamilton Army Base, and Staten Island’s Fort Wadsworth across the way. On the right day, you’ll see cruise ships departing the New York Harbor.
More to do: If you end at the pier, take time to admire city staples, such as the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and Beacon, which commemorates September 11.
Find a running loop: Try Dyker Beach Park and Golf Course. This 2.1 mile loop wraps around the entire golf course and park, which includes a baseball and soccer field, as well as a playground and a dog run on 86th Street. Access Shore Park and Parkway near the intersection of Poly Place and 14th Avenue.
Manhattan
Central Park
Distance: Varies
Good for: long-distance runs, scenic views, getting used to crowds
New York City’s most famous park is also a year-round haven for runners. Pick a trail, loop, or traverse out of the 843-acre park, run around its entire 6-mile perimeter, or opt for dramatic views of the city around the 1.58-mile Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, accessible near both Fifth Avenue and Central Park West between 86th and 96th streets.
More to do: The park has ice skating rinks at both ends of the park. During the summer, Lasker Rink becomes a free outdoor pool.
Highbridge Parks
Distance: varies
Good for: running on an incline
Run across the High Bridge—New York City’s oldest standing bridge—which re–opened in 2015 after closing for decades for rehabilitation. The bridge connects Manhattan to the Bronx at the Harlem River. Run through the quiet, lush greenery of Highbridge Park on the Manhattan side, a beautiful display of fall colors during the fall. Admire the waterfront view of the park while discovering remnants of the Old Croton Aqueduct, New York City’s first water supply system, which was built between 1837 and 1842.
Hudson River Greenway
Distance: approximately 12 miles
Good for: long-distance runs, getting used to crowds, scenic views
Take a run along some or all of Manhattan’s west side, from Fort Tryon Park near Dyckman Street to Battery Park City, near the September 11 Memorial (encompassing Fort Washington Park, Riverside Park, Hudson River Park, and Riverbank State Park). Catch the sunset during a late-afternoon run while passing by about 15 neighborhoods!
Inwood Hill Park
Distance: Varies
Good for: trail running
Opt for expansive views of the Hudson River, New Jersey and the Bronx, while running through Manhattan's last remaining natural forest and its sprawling waterfront.
Randall's Island
Distance: Varies
Good for: running laps (outdoor running track), scenic views
The island, nestled between Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx, at the junction of the East and Harlem rivers, provides more than 5 miles of waterfront pathways. Run along the east side of the Wards Meadow Loop (in the southern section of the island) to enjoy views of the Hell Gate Bridge and the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge stretching over to Queens.
More to do: Icahn Stadium (at the island's northwestern shoreline), includes a 400-meter Mondo surface running track. This international quality track is also available to be booked for local track meets and training. Visit Randall’s Island Park Alliance’s Icahn Stadium page to contact the Sports Director for more information about booking events.
Queens
Astoria Park
Distance: 0.6 miles
Good for: running laps (outdoor running track), scenic views
Take in views of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge and Hell Gate Bridge connecting Astoria and its 59-acre park to Randall’s Island. Keep track of your running pace with NYRR's new mile markers in the park!
More to do: In the summer, check out the Astoria Park Pool, the largest outdoor pool in New York City.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Distance: Varies
Good for: scenic views
While Flushing Meadows Corona Park is filled with some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Unisphere and New York State Pavilion, the park is also a terrific place to run alongside nature. The Meadow Lake Trail provides an excellent longer loop around a water body usually filled with boaters and athletes on the nearby fields, and the Willow Lake Trail offers a shorter run through a natural path just south.
More to do: While there’s no end to the amount of sights to see in Flushing Meadows Park, we recommend the Queens Museum before or after a run. Not only will you see great art, but you can see a replica of the entire city at the Panorama of New York.
Hunter’s Point South Park
Distance: Varies
Good for: scenic views, getting used to crowds
Take a run along this watefront LIC park, featuring breathtaking views of the Midtown East skyline and a 13,000-square-foot pavilion.
More to do: Try out the beach volleyball courts.
Ridgewood Reservoir
Distance: 1.2 miles
Good for: running laps, scenic views
This hidden gem is a breathtaking site to see, in the midst of Highland Park's 101 acres of forest on both sides of Brooklyn and Queens. Wrapped around the reservoir, which once supplied water to both boroughs until 1989, is a wheelchair-accessible path frequented by locals who come here to run, bike, and stroll among more than 151 species of birds.
Staten Island
Clove Lakes Park
Distance: Varies
Good for: trail running
Run around this 193-acre park, which lies on both sides of Clove Road. Take Park Drive and loop around the park's ponds, or head east to loop around Valley Lake.
More to do: Visit the Staten Island Zoo one avenue over on Broadway.
The Greenbelt
Distance: Varies
Good for: trail running, running on an incline
Run through one of the last undisturbed forests in the city, which, in autumn, boasts beautiful fall foliage.
More to do: Hike to Todt Hill, the highest natural point in New York City.
Silver Lake Park
Distance: Varies
Good for: scenic views, running laps
Run along the park up Victory Blvd. (0.7 miles) or loop around Silver Lake in the park’s northern section.
More to do: Walk across the lake! Enter near Victory Boulevard and Eddy Street and follow the paths towards the lake.
Staten Island Boardwalk
Distance: 2.5 miles
Good for: scenic views, getting used to crowds
Enjoy stunning views from the boardwalk, which features Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and Coney Island.
More to do: Check out our indoor running track at the Ocean Breeze Track and Field Athletic Complex.
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