Riverside Park (Manhattan)

Park Linear Hudson River park with promenades and recreation

Along Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Riverside Park runs beside the Hudson River with promenades, bike lanes, dog runs and playgrounds; visitors gather for river views, jogging, picnics and access to nearby monuments.

Main image

Riverside Park is an urban waterfront park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in New York City, extending along the Hudson River. The linear park provides riverside promenades, recreational facilities and several historic monuments.

Visitors use the park for walking, jogging and cycling along continuous paved paths and for river views across the Hudson. Notable sites within the park include the General Grant National Memorial at about 122nd Street and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument near 89th Street, along with playgrounds, sports courts and planted promenades.

The riverfront was developed over the late 19th and early 20th centuries into parkland and public promenades, with successive improvements and restorations to add recreational amenities and preserve historic monuments. The park is the result of coordinated urban planning to provide green space along Manhattan’s west side.

Running roughly from the upper 70s to the mid 150s streets on Manhattan’s west side, Riverside Park borders the Hudson River and sits west of the Upper West Side neighbourhood in New York City.

  • Length and layout: The park runs roughly 4 miles (about 6.4 kilometres) along Manhattan's west side from the upper 70s to the mid 150s streets and offers continuous riverfront paths and promenades.
  • Best times and activities: Sunset over the Hudson River along the park's west-facing promenades is a popular time for views and photography, and bicycle and running paths are heavily used during warmer months.

What to See #

  • General Grant National Memorial: General Grant National Memorial (Grant's Tomb) sits at the northern end of the park near 122nd Street and is the largest mausoleum in North America.
  • Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument: The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is a notable stone memorial in the park around 89th Street with steps and a viewing terrace toward the Hudson River.
Riverside Park (Manhattan)
Riverside Park, Manhattan - along the Hudson River from ~59th St to ~158th St, New York, NY, USA
40.7979, -73.9746
Daily 6am-1am (NYC parks standard hours)
Free

How to Get to Riverside Park (Manhattan) #

Riverside Park runs along Manhattan’s Upper West Side on the Hudson River and is straightforward to reach from central Manhattan. Take the NYC Subway (1 train has multiple stops along the Upper West Side) or local buses to stops along Riverside Drive/West End Avenue, then walk a few minutes to the park.

By car it’s a short drive from Midtown Manhattan (roughly 3-5 miles depending on the section of the park) - street parking is limited, and the West Side Highway/Riverside Drive provide direct access.

Tips for Visiting Riverside Park (Manhattan) #

  • Visit Riverside Park early in the morning or at golden hour for the best river views and quieter paths; the stretch around 122nd Street is often less busy and includes Grant's Tomb, a substantial historic site many visitors miss.
  • Use the park entrances near 72nd, 96th and 125th streets to tailor your walk - moving northward from the busier south sections will take you into quieter promenades and viewpoints along the Hudson Greenway.

Best Time to Visit Riverside Park (Manhattan) #

Riverside Park is best enjoyed from spring through early autumn (April-October) when the weather is pleasant and park activities are in full swing.

Spring
April-June · 10-25°C
Comfortable weather, blooming trees and moderate crowds - a very pleasant time for riverside walks and cycling.
Summer
July-August · 20-30°C
Warmest period and busiest with locals and tourists enjoying picnics, events and riverfront activities.
Autumn
September-November · 10-20°C
Crisp air and fall foliage make for scenic visits with generally lighter crowds than midsummer.

Weather & Climate near Riverside Park (Manhattan) #

Climate

Riverside Park (Manhattan)'s climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1219 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
-4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm).

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 22°

Weather

113 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 26°

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (114 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
19° 29°

Weather

114 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
19° 28°

Weather

109 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
15° 24°

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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