Riverside Park
A vibrant riverfront park with playgrounds, gardens, rides, and scenic views, perfect for family fun and peaceful strolls.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Riverside Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant riverfront park with playgrounds, gardens, rides, and scenic views, perfect for family fun and peaceful strolls.
"A solid spot for a walk or to take the kids out, with plenty of benches to relax and enjoy the outdoors."
🎟️ Ride Pass Value
Consider the annual ride pass for carousel & train; it might be cheaper than individual tickets!
🧺 Picnic Perfect
Bring a barbecue and enjoy a picnic in the expansive green spaces. Plenty of benches available.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Riverside Park Playground
Central area
A spacious playground with diverse equipment, perfect for kids of all ages to explore and burn energy.
Carousel & Train Rides
South side
Classic carousel and a charming train offering delightful rides for children and nostalgic fun for adults.
Riverfront Views & Gardens
Along the river
Enjoy serene river views from benches, explore well-maintained gardens, and discover a nearby butterfly garden.
Outdoor Skating Trail
South side, near carousel
A fun winter activity on a bumpy but enjoyable ice trail, offering a unique way to experience the park.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Family Fun Pass
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ Ride Pass Value
Consider the annual ride pass for carousel & train; it might be cheaper than individual tickets!
🧺 Picnic Perfect
Bring a barbecue and enjoy a picnic in the expansive green spaces. Plenty of benches available.
🚶♀️ Explore the Gardens
Don't miss the butterfly garden, a short walk across a bridge from the main park entrance.
⛸️ Winter Skating Fun
Enjoy the outdoor skating trail, even if the ice is a bit bumpy. Great winter activity!
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Ride Pass Value
Consider the annual ride pass for carousel & train; it might be cheaper than individual tickets!
🧺 Picnic Perfect
Bring a barbecue and enjoy a picnic in the expansive green spaces. Plenty of benches available.
🚶♀️ Explore the Gardens
Don't miss the butterfly garden, a short walk across a bridge from the main park entrance.
⛸️ Winter Skating Fun
Enjoy the outdoor skating trail, even if the ice is a bit bumpy. Great winter activity!
☕ Cafe Nearby
Grab a coffee at Pier i Café before exploring Riverside Park South for a scenic start.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Riverside Park for its family-friendly atmosphere, featuring a great playground, carousel, and train rides. The well-maintained gardens and scenic river views are also highlights, offering a peaceful escape. While the concession food is noted as overpriced, the park's overall charm and amenities make it a beloved spot for all ages.
"This park is a solid spot for a walk or to take the kids out. There's a good path for walking, a carousel that the kids seem to love, and a playground that's got everything they need. The garden's pretty neat too, with lots of well-kept flowers. There's this bench in the garden where you can sit and just look out at the river. If you're up for a bit more walking, there's a butterfly garden about 10 minutes from the entrance, just across a bridge. It's a chill place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, and there are plenty of benches if you want to take a break. They've also got a frisbee area that's usually pretty busy. Definitely a great place for a family day, and you can even bring a barbecue if you want."
James Thompson
"A nice park to take the kids has a proper playground for them to play on.
There's a cool little train you can ride and a classic carousel.
There's a concession stand where you can buy some foods. Very overpriced for the quality of the food.. small hotdog with a giant stale bun. $9?
We enjoyed our day, though."
Mike T
"Nice outdoor skating trail. Located just to the right of the carousel on the south side of the park. The ice was quite bumpy due to how the ice froze so you can’t go too fast but still very fun to skate on!"
Shugo
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Riverside Park is accessible by car and public transport. If coming from Times Square in NYC, take the 1 train to 72nd St and walk west to Riverside Blvd & 68th St. 
Parking availability can vary, especially on busy days. It's often recommended to check local advisories or consider public transport if available.
From Manhattan's Upper West Side, Riverside Park is easily accessible by subway (1 train to 72nd St) or bus.
Riverside Park has multiple access points along its length. For specific attractions like the playground or carousel, check a park map or follow signage.
Yes, Riverside Park has scenic paths that are great for cycling. Many visitors enjoy biking along the riverfront.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Riverside Park itself is generally free to enter. However, specific attractions like the carousel and train rides may require tickets or a pass.
Individual ticket prices can add up. Consider purchasing an annual pass from the Evergreen Seniors Centre for potential savings if you plan on multiple rides.
Park hours can vary by season and specific areas. It's best to check the official website or local listings for the most up-to-date information, especially for attractions like the carousel and skating trail.
For general park entry, no advance booking is needed. For specific events or popular rides during peak season, it's wise to check if advance tickets are recommended or required.
Riverside Park often hosts free community events, especially during summer. Keep an eye on local event listings for 'Summer on the Hudson' or similar programs.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Riverside Park offers a playground, carousel, train rides, walking paths, sports fields (including baseball), gardens, a sandy beach area, and an amphitheater. In winter, there's an outdoor skating trail.
Absolutely! The park features a large playground, a beloved carousel, and a fun train ride, making it a fantastic destination for families.
Yes, Riverside Park has well-maintained paths perfect for walking, jogging, and cycling, offering beautiful river views.
Yes, reviews indicate that the restrooms at Riverside Park are clean and well-maintained, which is a big plus for visitors.
The park includes sports fields, such as a baseball field, and areas for activities like frisbee.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There is a concession stand at Riverside Park that sells food, though some visitors have found it to be overpriced for the quality.
Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and have picnics in the park's green spaces. Barbecues are also permitted.
For more diverse options, consider exploring nearby neighborhoods. In NYC, Pier i Café is a popular spot near Riverside Park South.
Some sources mention farmers' markets near Riverside Park, particularly in the uptown area, offering local produce and baked goods.
The concession stand typically offers snacks like hot dogs and buns, but quality and price can be a concern for some visitors.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture stunning river views, especially of the Hudson River and bridges. The gardens, carousel, and playground also offer picturesque scenes.
The west-facing location along the river makes Riverside Park an excellent spot for sunset photography, offering beautiful light over the water.
If you're visiting the La Crosse, WI Riverside Park during the holidays, the Rotary Lights display offers millions of lights for spectacular photos.
A versatile lens is recommended to capture both wide river vistas and close-ups of the playground or gardens. A phone camera is also great for casual shots.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, for commercial photography or large-scale shoots, it's advisable to check park regulations.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚶♀️ Solo Strollers & Couples
Explore the beautifully maintained gardens, including a hidden butterfly garden, and find a bench to simply relax and enjoy the scenery. ❄️ Winter Visitors
While the ice might be a bit bumpy, it's a fun and invigorating way to experience the park during the colder months. Bundle up and enjoy the crisp air and scenic winter landscape. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring Riverside Park's Diverse Offerings
Beyond the typical park amenities, Riverside Park transforms in winter with an outdoor skating trail, providing a unique recreational opportunity. For those interested in sports, the park features sports fields, including a baseball diamond, and areas suitable for activities like frisbee. The presence of clean and well-maintained restrooms adds to the overall visitor comfort.
Whether you're looking for active recreation, a peaceful escape, or family entertainment, Riverside Park delivers. Its diverse features, from the amphitheater to the sandy beach area, make it a versatile destination for a day out. Remember to check for seasonal events like 'Summer on the Hudson' for additional free activities.
Navigating Riverside Park: Tips from Visitors
When it comes to dining, while there's a concession stand, some visitors note that the food can be overpriced for its quality.
For those seeking a more tranquil experience, visiting during weekday mornings is advised to avoid the larger crowds that tend to gather on weekends, especially when the rides are in full swing.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit