New York is very much an urban metropolis - beauty is sacrificed to industry, and efficiency, not art, is the name of the game. While there's one big main park in Manhattan, Central Park, most of the city consists of skyscrapers and the grid pattern of the street arrangement. But what can you do if you're looking for a bit of a getaway amid the hectic rush-hour traffic and noisy shouts of pedestrian commuters? The answer is simpler than you think: just head west.
One of New York's best-kept secrets is the recent development taking place beneath and around the West Side highway. Heading down from the charming Riverside Park at 72nd street, the entire west end of Manhattan has recently been transformed into a trendy, gorgeous riverside complex. Check out the basketball courts and skating lines that are located beneath the overpass of the highway. Or have a seat and drink some ice tea and eat a sandwich in one of the many new snack bars overlooking a surprisingly clean Hudson River - although we advise you don't try to swim in it. Or ride your bike down the bike path that, with a slight diversion far downtown, takes you all the way to Battery Park - a great way to get exercise without a gym!
Separated from the main highway by rows of oxygen-emitting, carbon-dioxide-eating greenery, the West Side parks are an oasis of calm in a busy city, far more even than Central Park. There are piers with chairs and free-wifi, gorgeous marshgrounds with high-growing grasses, and even access to the sports center of Chelsea Piers of 21st street. While you might hear the roars of horns, tires, and sirens from the nearby highway, they are relatively easy to ignore. So grab a friend and a picnic, rent a bicycle, and escape the hustle and bustle of the city, at least for a little while.
A Getaway in NYC
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