Hudson River Park
Pier 40
New York, NY 10001 (212) 414-9382
- Nearest Transit:
28th St-7th Ave (1)
34th St-8th Ave (A, C, E)
34th St-7th Ave (1, 2, 3)
- Good for Kids: Yes
27 Reviews for Hudson River Park
I had a picnic dinner here two weeks ago, and it was absolutely lovely. Working our way through the West Village to arrive at Hudson River Park on a weekday evening was the perfect thing to do after a day spent sitting in front of the computer.
I guess I expect everything in Manhattan to be crowded, but this had the perfect level of foot/bike/dog traffic--not packed at all, but still a decent number of passersby on the path. We got plenty of personal space and a great view of the river, the eerie former piers, and boats going by. Quite pleasant!
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Along Pier40 (west side btwn spring & whouston st) I discovered the Canal Street (Tennis) Courts. There was about a 15person queue on a Sunday afternoon @ 6pm but the courts are in 4 separate 'cages' and your max is 6 balls there instead of 3. 1hr play time max and you need a $7/day permit or a $100/season tennis permit. I saw lights there as well, so hopefully this makes for good night time play. Must try!
Free 2008 Summer Events here: http://www.hudsonriver...
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Recommended for: jogging, biking, riverside walks and more!
Activities 4, Scenery 5, Awesomeness 4.
We all know about the major construction projects going on around this area, so I believe this will be an updated 5-star review. I'm not the 'biggest fan' of the west side in that I don't go there often, but, I've been getting out of old habits and being more friendly to my westerly neighbor. But I have to say if I ever considered moving to the west side *shivers*, the Hudson River Park would be a massive draw to me.
Long fields of green allow for picnics, sun-tanning and exercise. Running and bike paths for those with a penchant for exercise; and the view of the country of jersey (i kid, i kid) is quite nice at night. The piers make for an explorers dream and there are plenty of events happening near and on them all year long.
If it wasn't so far I'd be there more often, but still, this park is one to definitely see, experience and most of all, enjoy!
Sean Approved: Definitely YES!
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The view from the Hudson River Park is just as beautiful at night as it is the day time. Yup, I go to parks at night. And so do hundreds of other people. In college, I would hang out at Washington Square Park till the wee hours of the night/morning and tonight I took an after dinner stroll at the Hudson River Park. It was magnificent.
Hudson River Park is alive. There are people playing frisbee, people walking their dogs, dogs walking their owners, bike riders, cheerleaders practicing their routine, people in love, outdoor concerts and on this night a movie for the children. I thought I heard a witch's voice and some cackling. I said, "What is that? Is there a haunted house?" I know. Dumb question since it is nowhere near Halloween. Turns out the park was having a free screening of The Wizard of Oz. Pretty cool and classic. The screen was clear even though I was nowhere near the grass and the sound was crisp.
I love that for once looking across the water the view is of New Jersey, Jersey City to be exact. To be able to point out my homes is so special to me. The buildings are literally within eyes reach. And when I turned around the Empire State Building was lit up in red, white and blue. It was the perfect view.
The piers are really nice and you can walk all the way down the docks. I can imagine that these areas would be awesome for an outdoor party. There is a playground for kids, plenty of bathrooms, countless picnic tables, lush grass, and concession stands. The park is very convenient to public transportation and very clean.
There are a million reasons to love Hudson River Park. The Hudson River Park Trust is doing a really great job in developing it. It's no wonder the park has won so many awards. I love this park.
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Hudson River Park has this nice green field turf people love to use to lay out, sun tan, stretch, and exercise.
When it's late and nobody is around anymore, especially in the winter, they sometimes leave the lights on for awhile. I run suicides back and forth from one end to other. Why? Cause without pain, you are ain't living. My lungs are burning like crazy, but it's 100 times better than running on a boring ass treadmill. I'll then do ghetto homemade Sparq training, sideway shuffles, lunges, high knee jogging, back-pedaling, etc. I get more sore the next day after this than any trip to NYSC.
You know that movie Above the Rim, where Leon is shooting hoops on the playground court without an actual ball late at night by himself in the dark, that's me here at Hudson River Park running WR routes.
"You hear that Nutso? The boy here says he owes me. HE owes ME! Are we even? ARE WE EVEN! You don't owe me nothin. You owe yourself and ones who cared to get you here. Believe me, I know". (Above The Rim)
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As I don't live in Manhattan, I would definitely call Hudson River Park my summertime guilty pleasure whenever I'm in the city.
It's the piers down near Christopher Street that I gravitate towards. On a summer day it is bursting with activity, a scene which only the word "fierce" could describe. Or the phrase "hot tranny mess" if it's an off day. The breeze is relaxing and the eye candy isn't bad either.
It's a great place to go running, biking, skating, bring friends, anything really. I feel like it is it's own little oasis. I keep going back for more.
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Used to come here with my parents in the summertime when I was little... It's pretty.
Along the Hudson lies a park,
Lovely both by day and dark.
It's great for walking, biking, skating,
Perfect for couples who've just started dating.
There's benches and piers and grass to lay in,
And different types of courts to play in.
And when the sun sets o'er Jersey City,
Even the state next door looks pretty.
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I want a shirt. A I Heart the Westside Highway shirt. Technically a I Heart the Westside Highway Bike Path shirt, but that's just too much. With the drawback of being right next to the auto exhaust-y Westside highway, it's the perfect mini-getaway from Manhattan. Within three blocks of my apartment I have a smooth sailing almost car-free 26 mile run-bike path, a place to do reading in the grass, and a spot to watch the sunset. I love to be able to bike a quick marathon w/out worrying about crazy NY traffic!!
Once it's completed and the fume-belching construction area around Battery Park is completed it'll get 5 stars - no more attempts to do the cemetery-breath-hold for 3 blocks during mid-day runs or bike rides. Yay for WSH!
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So one day while I was training for the Bay to Breakers, I decided to push myself a little further. Instead of turning around at the South Street Seaport, I kept on running. Right around downtown, past Battery Park, all the way up by Hudson River Park. I ran all the way to Chelsea Car Wash, a total of 9 miles, before I decided to stop and walk back home crosstown.
Hudson River Park has a many advantages over it's East River Park counterpart. It's more open, the West Side Highway is more of a street than a highway, unlike FDR, which feels decidedly more claustrophobic with its chain link fences, medians and its concrete canopy, rising up as the highway raises above sea level.
It's also greener, quieter, and more scenic; it's backdrops consisting of Tribeca, the meatpacking district, and Chelsea, which feel more vibrant and colorful than Stuyvesant Town and the Lower East Side. It's bike paths are also wider. Seagulls perched atop posts are a welcome exchange for smoke stacks rising up and exhaling along the fringes of Williamsburg and Greenpoint.
By the end of my run, I was beat. The air was crisp, refreshing, and filled my lungs with the promise of retreat. And as I walked back crosstown, through Manhattanite canyons of glass and concrete, the endorphins began kicking in, I could fully appreciate the meaning behind a beautiful day.
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Great public outdoor and "green" space!
I left NYC in 1990. Hudson River Park and it's environs are a 1000% improvement over what used to be here. New York seems to get better and better year over year.
Come out and enjoy HRP!
Part of Jimbo's 4 Hour NYC Bike Tour (see: http://www.yelp.com/li... )
Oh I how I heart the west side highway path. In my opinion, the best way to see this pathway is via bike because you can go from Battery city up almost to the GW bridge in just over an hour. (although north of 79th I think it becomes technically riverside drive park)
Each year a new pier pops up with a food stand or two, interesting architecture in the way of chairs and table and more and more people get to enjoy this path way.
Don't forget to hop off the path just after the trapeze center and art shack for a fantastic view of the statue of liberty and a nice green lawn to take a nap on.
Oh and if you decide you want to walk the path, that is all good, just stay to the right or else I might run you over.
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Oh what good times we've had together...
There is no better way to spend a summer afternoon than touring Hudson River Park. Be it by foot, bike, or roller blade there is always something interesting to see or do. The path is generally smooth and well kept. Piers abound and each has its own character and special features. Some offer free concerts on the weekends. Some have outdoor movies (like in Bryant Park but without the unbearable masses). There are free yoga and pilates classes overlooking the river. Also free kayaking. Most have a grill that serves great summer favorites (and some with beer and wine). And don't forget the Boat Basin! Amazing, but that is for another review.
Every once and a while one needs a break from the concrete and skyscrapers, and this is my haven. You can bike along the path for hours watching the boats go by, in peace and quiet, or stop and sit in the shade of the many trees and watch the people go by.
If you have not been yet. GO!!!
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Since I was raised near beaches, water, and boats, Hudson River Park feeds my need for water in the city. Since moving downtown, I run here at least once a week (when I need a break from the bods at Equinox), and I try to read in the sun here as often as possible. I avoid the Gay Beach (Christopher Street pier), and head for the grass north of Charles Street instead. I always put a protective covering over the grass to fend of any possible nastiness in the grass, but I love this place regardless. When I strike it rich, I'll most likely stop coming to the piers because I'll be flying via private jet to my lake house in Michigan, but until then, you can find me here when the weather's nice.
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I've loved watching the development of the West side park over the years. It's a great place for a run when you want to feel the cool breeze off the water, see an amazing view, or not have to worry about intersections. Becomes very busy in the summer months. Is always interesting to see the difference between the fair weather excercisers, and those out on an early winter morning. Every time I step out here, I see something new; it never gets old as a running, walking, reading, relaxing destination.
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I live on the upper east side, but I'll deal with going crosstown if I'm feeling lazy on the bike ride home from work and end up taking the greenway. There are a couple places where you have some blind corners with a bunch of roadies whipping around, but pretty much every other part is a smooth ride. It's also so nice that there are little grass spots along the way. It's so nice to be able to stop and have a nice patch of grass to yourself.
It's an easier bike route than the Central Park main loop, but you don't have nearly the same amount of room. However, you can go more than 6 miles without seeing the same spot twice!
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Love the acoustic guitarman at the "Sunset on Hudson" each summer. It's on pier 45, each Friday at 7 pm.
It's something I prefer going with just one other companion to enjoy the music and sing-alongs. Large groups can be such a bad idea and a complete disaster at such an intimate, delicate gathering of people that love music and, well, beautiful sunset.
I love requesting my favorite Simon & Garfunkels. The man likes hearing my requests, too, it seems. Perfecto! : )
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I'm so friggin lucky to live a block from this wonderful park. By day, it's filled with purdy people sunning, folks jogging/biking/walking their dogs, and families and kids frolicking in the big, beautiful playground with that thing that shoots water in all directions. By night, the walkways are filled with couples taking romantic walks, friends picnicking on the grass, and free movies (e.g. "Back to the Future") playing on the big screen on a huge lawn. And last but not least, there's always the fantastic view.
I love coming here with my dog -- even she stops to admire the great view!
What a beautiful way to spend a day in Manhattan. The park is wonderful, and usually populated so you needn't worry even in the northern reaches. I found it a very wonderful way to make my way to Port Authority today, so I was able to "run" some errands. :-) It lacks 1 star because there's construction in places that makes it quite ugly. But the paths are still available, which made my day. Wonderful views of the Hudson River and Jersey!
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I was kind of iffy about moving to the West side. I had been an East side girl for a few years now, and we are all keenly aware of the West vs. East antagonism going on here. But then I took a trip to the West side (i know I'm making it sound like a journey, which it was), and I immediately fell in love.
It's an area of the city that I doubt a lot of New Yorkers have seen, believe it or not. And by area I mean the *entire* path along the Hudson, pretty much from the George Washington Bridge up over on 170+ street down to the tip of the island. It is one continuous paved biking/jogging path next to the water, with various small parks and gardens and recreational establishments spread along the way.
Seriously. Go rent a bike and take a ride along the water. I promise you'll fall in love with the city all over again.
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One of my favorite places to walk in the city. I used to live down in Water Street, so I would take an afternoon after class or during the weekend mornings to just walk to the coast and walk up and take in all the interesting things it had to offer: piers, bike rentals, trapeze school, boats, docks, little-garden like patches, incredibly clean looking newer apartments and condos, people running, jogging, walking, reading, tanning, etc.
The sunset to watch just while sitting on the endless row of benches up the coast while reading the ending to Steve Martin's "The Pleasure of My Company" is one of the most serene and fulfilling experiences I've had and will do it again very soon. Well minus the book, I'll find something else to read.
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Are we in NYC or the Riviera? The Cape? The Vineyard? Breathtaking views of Jersey City and the Hudson River. When did all those office buildings pop up? Perfectly paved bike path with railings so cars on the Westside Hwy can't run you over. I think this path goes all around the island of Manhattan. Manicured lawns, imported shrubbery and trees, well maintained wide wooden planked piers. If you bike to the 70s, there's a snack stand that grills burgers and hotdogs and has various beers on tap. Ahh, refreshing!
finally SPRING is here in NYC...
it was the first try since I stoped a bike riding when I was 10-year-old...
my friend, he trained me hardly (??) for a while, before heading to this lovely place... was pretty scared on the first riding though... over again and again... got used it... yeah!! Jules ROCK!!!
when we got the park, my arms & legs were tired, butt was hurt, and back neck was tough... but, when I got the yummy cheeseburger, lemonade, and ice cream... everything was smoooooth and bleeeeessed... wasn't bother me at all...
nice cool breezing from the river and warm sun shining from the sky... what else I can do? putting myself on the grass and taking a short nap, and stretching out my whole body... what else? watching people's playing tennis, basketball, baseball & table tennis, fishing, walking, jogging, roller-skating, biking, kissing, tanning...
now I am ready to go to bed and dream about half-naked Abercrombie & Fitch guys... zzzzzzzzzzz
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All up and down Manhattan on the west side is the Hudson River Parkway. I call it the bike highway, and I use it as such. In places it's a bit narrow and sometimes there are lots of tourists (especially over by the U.S.S. Intrepid) but it's a really pleasant ride/walk/run/roll along the water. I'm a big advocate for the park around sunset because it's one of the only places at ground level in Manhattan where the sky isn't obscured by buildings (something I usually dislike when I want to see a particularly glorious sunset).
Along about the sixties there's this amazing rotting metal structure out in the water that looks really cool with all the river reflections and all, and then up around the seventies there's some boats docked up and Riverside Park starts up and there are benches in a long row lining the trail.
In the Greenwich Village sector there's a lot of lawn (plenty for all) and lots of dog and people watching. There's a long dock that is planted with grass jutting out into the water and good for a little stroll, and a cafe with ice cream sandwiches (among other things). Just off the parkway there are guzillions of new and old cafes opening (just below the meatpacking dist.) so you could get dinner or drinks after the sunset bores you.
Around Canal and below there's a trapeze school (recommended!) and just below that is a small park with beach volleyball courts and a place to play a game or two of ping pong (free). A stand sells hot dogs and drinks, and there's a very ghetto mini golf course. There are also a great many picnic tables. Further south there is a nice developed park with great swaths of lawn to lay out on. Even further south is Battery Park, also recommended but reviewed separately.
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The best way to "walk" New York by far...and if you're a biker, rollerblader or jogger it's even better. The views of Manhattan are spectacular...oh yea, and NJ too. And if you're walking south, you end up in Battery Park and can sit or admire Clinton Castle
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Lovely place, new for us old NYers.
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