Summer escapism may mean airplane miles, spa time, and a foreign language for some cosmopolitans, but real New Yorkers know there’s nothing more freeing (or transportive) than heading to your local park with little more than a book and a blanket in tow. (The city’s public pools make it even easier to stay phone-free; cellular devices are prohibited on the pool deck.) To give you a little extra ounce of motivation, we called up a few of your favorite locals to see where they’re third-spacing these days—and what they’re bringing with them.
“The Pier 3 Greenway Terrace at Brooklyn Bridge Park! Just a book and maybe a blanket if the benches are full. Stroll over to Nako for a coffee or L’Appartement 4F for any of their croissants (hype is commensurate).” — Bowen Yang, comedian and actor
“My favorite park is right in my neighborhood, Tompkins Square Park. I like to go in the morning with the dogs while it’s still pretty quiet out. We make a loop around the neighborhood, grabbing coffee from Mud, then a sausage roll and breakfast sandwich from Smør (probably the best breakfast sandwich in town). By the time we get to the park, the dogs are pretty chill from the walk, so [my husband] Ham and I can sit and eat in peace. There’s actually great bird-watching if you look. The other day we saw a hawk hunting squirrels. By the time we start heading back home, From Lucie has opened and I love to grab one of their almond croissant cookies. It’s got a hunk of marzipan smack dab in the center and is loaded with almond extract, so it’s perfect if you love that floral flavor. She’s known for her cakes but this cookie is my favorite thing she makes.” — Sohla El-Waylly, chef and recipe developer
“I love SummerStage concerts at Central Park. Pack a picnic to enjoy on the Great Lawn beforehand, get a little crazy at the concert, then take a long walk through the city on a hot summer night. I also love Wagner Park, where we’ve had three runway shows. It’s a hidden gem with sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty and beyond. Bring some treats, settle in, and enjoy one of the best sunsets in Manhattan.” — Cynthia Rowley, fashion designer
“I’m fortunate to live and work so close to McCarren Park. I grew up coming to this skate park as a kid. I make sure I go through this park at least once a day whether I’m going for a run on the track or just to take my dog for a walk in the morning. And now I bring my son to the McCarren Pool right next to it. We literally don’t bring anything when we go. I leave my phone and wallet at home because we’re just a quick walk away. We just pull up in our matching Crocs and beach towel and enjoy the time.” — Calvin Eng, chef and owner of Bonnie’s
“Paley Park on East 53rd is a real favorite. I find it extraordinary that a building was removed to create an oasis ‘pocket park’ in such a dense part of the city. I love the fountains by Zion Breen Richardson, the furniture by Saarinen, and the Bertoia designed chairs.” — Peter Marino, architect
“My favorite pool is Kosciuszko Pool, and my favorite park is Herbert Von King Park. It’s one of my favorite places to spend a summer day in Brooklyn. Before playing tennis, I always stop by The Bureau for an iced rose latte. If I’m lucky enough to win a few sets, I’ll reward myself afterward with a treat from For All Things Good.” — Ayo Balogun, chef and owner of Dept. of Culture and Radio Kwara
“I love the boathouse in Central Park, where you can rent the little boats.” — Kelly Rutherford, actor
“The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. New York is full of places that make you feel ‘like you’re not even in New York’ but the best thing about New York is that it has everybody and everything, including 9,000 acres of open bays and marshes accessible by the Q52. It’s Bring Your Own Everything: bug spray, sunglasses, sunscreen, sandwich, shrooms. On your way home from the beach, get a sandwich and coffee at Phase, pop that shroom pill while you’re waiting for the bus, and enjoy the ride.” — Jazmine Hughes, writer
“I usually swim at the Commodore Barry Pool in Fort Greene/Brooklyn Navy yard. I love the New York City public pool rules; I only bring a book and my white T-shirt. It’s directly across from Wegmans, so I stop for dinner groceries on my way home. Alternatively and more random, the Greenway Botanical Garden at the Naval Cemetery about a mile down Flushing Ave. from the pool is like a fake park that no one ever goes to—just a greenspace with an elevated walkway. I love taking my friends there for our own private slice of the city, and I also think it would be a fab venue for a fashion show. We’ll bring a joint or a bottle of sake and either go into Fort Greene or Williamsburg from there.” — Ella Snyder, model
“Fort Tilden. It’s a long walk from the entrance, so bring everything, especially a beach umbrella. There’s a food court at Jacob Riis where you can get takeout on the way in; I like the ceviche spot!” — Josh Kline, artist
“I live near the Hudson River beach and river walk. I walk with my dog Lala every day there.” — Luke Evans, actor and singer
“I think New York has some of the best parks, the most beautiful and grandiose ones being Central Park and Prospect Park. However, my absolute favorite, my go-to where I can truly kick off my shoes and relax, is Fort Greene Park. I have such a soft spot for this beautiful park with its slopes, the sunny dog lawn, tennis courts, and how it always feels so cozily abundant. I always make sure to pack a blanket, soda water, snacks and my NYT crosswords. If I’m hungry, I’ll grab a bean and cheese burrito from Los Burritos Juárez. For a snack pre- or post- park, I would grab a martini and the fried shrimp loaf from Strange Delight.” — Sunny Lee, chef and owner of Sunn’s
“Fort Greene Park with an iced tea from Bittersweet on Dekalb.” — Chase Strangio, lawyer and co-director of the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project
“I like going to Tompkins Square Dog Run cuz I have a small dog and he loves it. I get myself really early a Mary O’s scone and eat it in the park with the jam and butter and a coffee from Thayer. I am a fan of the snickerdoodle coffee with honey and whole milk cuz real A1 milk is in.” — Precious Okoyomon, artist
“Riverside Park, specifically the roundabout radius of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument at the intersection of 89th & Riverside Drive. I go with my friend Ethel every week, sometimes with a bialy, sometimes without a phone.” — Luisa Opalesky, photographer
“Asking me to choose just one green space in New York is nearly impossible, so I pulled together a few favorites. Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of my favorite places to slow down, wander without an agenda, and really notice what is blooming. I usually bring water, sunscreen, a portable fan, my camera, and a little notebook for any plant names or ideas that inspire me. Before or afterward, I would stop by Café con Libros, a Black-owned feminist bookstore and coffee shop, for an iced drink and a new book.
Prospect Park feels like Brooklyn’s communal backyard. You can have a full picnic, sit beneath a tree with a book, take a long walk, listen to music, or simply find a quiet corner to breathe. I usually bring a blanket, water, fruit, a portable speaker, and something good to read. Afterward, I love heading into Little Caribbean for a meal or a treat from one of the neighborhood’s many Black- and Caribbean-owned businesses. Ginger’s Bar, a beloved lesbian bar in Park Slope, is also a great place to keep the day going with a drink and a little community.
The High Line is especially meaningful to me because I have had the opportunity to explore its plants, ecology, and design through my work. I bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, water, and my camera because there is always a plant, view, or tiny ecological moment worth documenting. Afterward, I recommend wandering through Chelsea Market and following whatever smells or looks best. For a drink later, Cubbyhole is a longtime queer neighborhood spot that is full of personality.
Jefferson Market Garden feels like discovering a secret garden in the middle of Greenwich Village. It is intimate, lush, and somehow makes you forget that Sixth Avenue is right outside the gate. I would bring a book, an iced drink, and absolutely nowhere else I need to be. Afterward, I would stop by 787 Coffee on West 10th Street for coffee grown on the company’s farm in Puerto Rico. I would also recommend exploring the queer-owned and -led restaurants, bookstores, and bars throughout the West Village.
Greenacre Park is one of Midtown’s most unexpected little escapes. It is the perfect place to take a pause between meetings or errands. I would bring my journal, headphones, and a little treat. Afterward, I would walk to 787 Coffee on East 58th Street to let the moment of calm continue a little longer.” — Christopher Griffin, educator and Internet personality
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