Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Runners on the Upper West Side
Top Things to Do in New York City for Runners on the Upper West Side
1. Riverside Park North Path
A serene, river-hugging stretch from the low 90s into the low 100s with wide paths, leafy shade, and breezes off the Hudson—perfect for easy miles or tempo efforts without traffic lights.
✓ Why Go:
Flat terrain, water views, and long, uninterrupted sections make it a go-to for building distance right in the neighborhood.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunrise to mid-morning in spring and fall for cool temps; weekday evenings in summer catch golden-hour shade.
✓ Insider Tip:
Fountains can be seasonal—carry a soft flask in winter and use the bathrooms near 103rd Street when open.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Locals praise the calm vibe and skyline sunsets, noting it feels quietly residential compared with busier park loops.
2. Riverside Park South Boardwalk
A photogenic wooden boardwalk by the Hudson around Pier I with long sightlines and soft underfoot feel—great for strides or relaxed recovery jogs.
✓ Why Go:
Close to 72nd Street subway access, with river breezes and space to open up your cadence after a Central Park workout.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early mornings year-round; evenings in summer for cooler temps and vibrant waterfront energy.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use the wide straightaway for 6–8 x 20–30 second strides post-run before stretching on nearby benches.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Runners love the open views and easy access, calling it a ‘reset button’ after crowded city streets.
3. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir Track
A cinder loop circling the Reservoir with skyline panoramas and forgiving surface—ideal for steady-state efforts or iconic shakeouts.
✓ Why Go:
Soft footing reduces impact, and the 1.58-mile loop makes pacing simple for repeats and negative-split runs.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Dawn for glassy-water reflections; avoid peak weekend late mornings when it can be crowded.
✓ Insider Tip:
Run counterclockwise like the locals; hop off onto the Bridle Path if you need a quieter segment.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors rave about the postcard views and rhythm-friendly loop that ‘makes miles disappear.’
4. Great Hill
Central Park’s northwest rise offers a compact circuit of rolling climbs under towering oaks—perfect for hill repeats and strength work.
✓ Why Go:
Short, punchy gradients build power without long descents; nearby paths let you tack on warm-up and cool-down miles.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Autumn for crisp air and foliage; winter mornings are quieter and great for focused workouts.
✓ Insider Tip:
Try 6–10 repeats from the north side up to the summit, jogging easy down the opposite side to recover.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Runners call it a ‘natural gym’ that delivers strong workouts within minutes of UWS brownstones.
5. 86th Street Transverse
A rolling east–west cut through Central Park that’s great for controlled fartlek sessions or cruise intervals away from traffic lights.
✓ Why Go:
Predictable distance and moderate grades help lock in pace without interruptions or heavy bike traffic.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early mornings on weekdays; spring and fall deliver the most comfortable temps for quality work.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use lampposts as markers for 1–2 minute on/off fartleks, then recover on the Bridle Path.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Praised for being ‘all business’—a reliable place to hit splits while staying in the heart of the UWS.
6. Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Stairs
A grand marble terrace overlooking the Hudson with stout stair flights—built-in plyometrics for runners craving power and form work.
✓ Why Go:
Stairs target glutes and calves, boosting uphill economy; the terrace provides space for drills and dynamic stretches.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning or late afternoon; avoid wet or icy conditions when steps can be slick.
✓ Insider Tip:
Try sets of 6–8 ascents at controlled effort with walk-down recovery; add calf raises along the balustrade.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Locals love the burn and the views, calling it a ‘two-for-one workout and lookout.’
7. Hudson River Greenway UWS Segment
The paved multiuse path hugging the river from the low 60s into the 100s offers long, continuous miles without crosswalks.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the neighborhood’s marathon-training backbone: flat, uninterrupted, and easy to measure out tempos and long runs.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunrise year-round for emptier paths; breezy summer evenings for a cooler feel.
✓ Insider Tip:
South-to-north out-and-backs minimize headwinds on the return; bring a layer—wind can pick up by the water.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors appreciate the stress-free flow and ‘big-sky’ river scenery rare in Manhattan.
8. Cherry Hill
A gentle rise near the Lake that’s ideal for short hill sprints or scenic cooldown laps among curved drives and historic bridges.
✓ Why Go:
Close to the 72nd Street entrances, it’s easy to mix technique work into everyday runs.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Spring bloom and fall foliage are especially pretty; arrive before 9 am on weekends for space.
✓ Insider Tip:
Add 6–8 x 10–15 second hill sprints with full recovery to build speed safely.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Runners call it ‘deceptively effective’—pretty enough to forget you’re working.
9. North Woods
Shaded, winding paths in the park’s northwest mimic a mini trail run with small climbs, rustic bridges, and bird song.
✓ Why Go:
Soft surfaces and varied terrain sharpen proprioception and keep easy days genuinely easy.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning to midday outside of peak leaf-peeping; winter’s bare trees open up unique views.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stick to the wider bridle sections after rain—some narrow trails stay muddy longer.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Many call it the UWS’s ‘secret forest,’ perfect for zoning out and resetting the legs.
10. Frederick Douglass Circle
A natural starting point at the park’s northwest corner to access the Great Hill, North Woods, and the outer loop in one cohesive session.
✓ Why Go:
Multiple route options fan out from a single landmark, letting partners with different workouts start together.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early mornings for quiet paths; evenings for lively neighborhood energy at 110th Street.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use the traffic circle as a meet-up and stash point; then head south on the outer loop for rolling miles.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Runners find it convenient and motivating—‘a launchpad for any kind of workout’ on the UWS.
