Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Runners in Manhattan
Top Things to Do in New York City for Runners in Manhattan
1. Central Park Loop
Circle the park on the iconic 6.1-mile Park Drive for rolling terrain, car-free miles, and postcard views past the Ramble, Great Lawn, and Harlem Meer.
✓ Why Go:
It’s NYC’s most famous run: measured mile markers, frequent water and restrooms, and legendary climbs like Cat Hill and Harlem Hill make great training.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunrise year-round for light traffic; spring and fall offer ideal temps and foliage. Weekend mornings get busy with races—arrive early.
✓ Insider Tip:
Run counterclockwise to match local flow; mix in the softer Bridle Path to reduce impact and use the Transverse roads for custom distances.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Runners rave about the energy, safety, and variety—classic NYC miles that feel both communal and serene.
2. Reservoir Running Track
The 1.58-mile cinder path around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir delivers skyline reflections and a forgiving surface.
✓ Why Go:
Stable footing and minimal intersections are perfect for tempo efforts and recovery laps with sweeping views of Midtown and the West Side.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for dramatic views and thinner crowds; avoid midday heat in summer.
✓ Insider Tip:
Follow the counterclockwise etiquette and hop to the nearby North Meadow bathrooms and fountains between sets.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Praised as peaceful and photogenic—city buzz at a whisper, not a roar.
3. Hudson River Greenway
A flat, uninterrupted riverside path stretching the length of Manhattan with breezes, piers, and sunset vistas.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the city’s longest car-free backbone for long runs, with easy access points and wayfinding from Battery Park to Inwood.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon into sunset for cooler temps and views; weekend early mornings for long efforts.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stage near Pier 40 for bathrooms and water; stitch pier-to-pier fartlek intervals for variety.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Loved for its freedom and views—“a treadmill with scenery.”
4. Battery Park City Esplanade
A smooth waterfront loop at Manhattan’s tip, threading parks and promenades with Statue of Liberty and harbor views.
✓ Why Go:
Pancake-flat miles ideal for recovery days or progression runs, with plentiful benches, shade, and river breezes.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunrise on weekdays to beat commuter foot traffic; temperate spring and fall days shine.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use Brookfield Place as a gear-up spot and extend north onto the Hudson River Greenway for extra mileage.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Described as calm and scenic—urban running at its most relaxing.
5. Randall's Island Park Loops
Expansive waterfront paths, ballfields, and bridges create customizable circuits with East and Harlem River panoramas.
✓ Why Go:
Lower crowds and open sightlines make it a go-to for speedwork and marathon-pace efforts.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekend mornings for quiet paths; breezy afternoons in summer feel cooler waterside.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter via the 103rd Street Footbridge or RFK Bridge Walkway and use the Icahn Stadium area for measured pick-ups.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Often called a hidden gem—big-sky New York without the bustle.
6. Inwood Hill Park Trails
Manhattan’s last natural forest and salt marsh offers shaded singletrack, steep pitches, and Hudson River overlooks.
✓ Why Go:
Trail skills without leaving the borough—perfect for strength, balance, and hill conditioning.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Daylight hours, especially spring through fall; trails can be slick after rain.
✓ Insider Tip:
Start at the Nature Center, climb to the Overlook for views, and watch footing on roots and rock steps.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Beloved for feeling miles away from Midtown—wild, quiet, restorative.
7. Fort Tryon Park Hills
A network of winding paths and stairways around the Cloisters with commanding Hudson and GWB vistas.
✓ Why Go:
Some of Manhattan’s best hill repeats—long grades, short sprints, and stair intervals in one compact zone.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early mornings for cooler temps and open paths; fall foliage season is spectacular.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use Margaret Corbin Drive for sustained climbs and recover through Heather Garden’s scenic loop.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Runners celebrate the challenge-and-view combo—tough, beautiful, addictive.
8. Roosevelt Island Promenade
A car-light, 4-mile perimeter path with wraparound views of Midtown, the East River, and the Queensboro Bridge.
✓ Why Go:
Flat, steady miles and skyline eye candy—ideal for tempo work or easy loops without intersections.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunrise for calm paths and pastel reflections; evenings for glittering city lights.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ride the tram for a cinematic warm-up and finish with strides on the southern fields near Southpoint Park.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Frequently called underrated—quiet, safe, and photogenic.
9. Thomas Jefferson Park Track
A public 400m track in East Harlem suited for intervals, strides, and form drills right off the East River corridor.
✓ Why Go:
Reliable distances and consistent surface let you dial in pacing without traffic interruptions.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mornings or late evenings to avoid school and team practices; spring and fall are most comfortable.
✓ Insider Tip:
Follow lane etiquette (fast on the inside) and bring water—fountains can be seasonal.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Praised as a no-frills, high-results workout venue for locals and visitors alike.
10. Riverside Park South
A gently rolling waterfront path from 59th to 72nd Streets with piers, lawns, and river breezes.
✓ Why Go:
Great for moderate hills and recovery jogs with fewer tourists than mid-park routes.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning shade in summer; late-afternoon glows in spring and fall.
✓ Insider Tip:
Work short hill sprints on the 68th Street stairs and refuel at Pier I Cafe post-run.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Seen as a local favorite—neighborly, scenic, and easy to customize.
