Brooklyn Bridge Park

Stretching 1.3 miles along the East River, this beautiful revamped waterfront is proof that an idyllic slice of nature can exist right in the city. Pier 2 is tricked out with recreation facilities for basketball, handball, bocce, shuffleboard and roller-skating (open daily 6am–11pm). Bring your bikes (or rent them at Pier 1's entrace) for a spin on the Greenway, then stop at Pier 6 to explore a playground featuring wonderfully landscaped play spaces, including the Water Lab—a stone-strewn area with water underfoot to splash in—plus, New York's largest sandbox. At Pier 3, post up with a blanket and book, or take a peaceful stroll minus traffic noise thanks to Sound Attenuating Hill. Continue walking south and you'll come across the Pop-Up Pool and one of the prettiest walks in NYC, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Add clean bathrooms, a food court, spots for fishing and the mutli-purpose sports fields at Pier 5 and there’s not much room for improvement—especially when views of downtown Manhattan and New York Harbor are the backdrop.