Besides hosting the world-famous New York City Marathon, NYC has many great running routes. We have prepared a set of the best runs in NYC for you to enjoy.
1. Central Park
You probably saw this one coming, as Central Park is one of the most prominent landmarks in New York City. Central Park offers numerous running routes in Manhattan. We will actually cheat at this point (good start) and include three Central Park running loops.
The first is the perimeter path. The full loop of the park is 6.1 miles long and will take you through Cedar Hill and Harlem Hill, Essex House, NY Athletic Club, Central Park Carousel, Sailboat Pond, and Loeb Boathouse.
Then we have two Reservoir loops. The first is the Bridle Path, with 1.6 miles length and markings every 100 yards. It closely hugs the Reservoir and has a knee-friendly cover. Finally, we have the Full Bridle Path Loop, which includes North Meadow Fields, spanning 2.5 miles.
Besides these three, you can find even more routes using the Central Park running map on the official website.
Why is it great?
- Central Park running trails are among the most scenic routes in all of NYC. You will experience a healthy mix of forests and greenery with skyscraper silhouettes.
- There is a wide variety of running paths, and they are all specially equipped for runners.
- The place is quite crowded, and being at the heart of NYC, you can spot dog walkers, horses, tourists, and even some world-class runners and celebrities.
2. Hudson River Greenway
Stretching from the Bronx in the north up to Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, this NYC run spans 11.5 miles. You can divide this track into different parts since there are many parks and sights along the way. You will run next to the Hudson River and witness both Manhattan skyscraper silhouettes and lush green parks.
Why is it great?
- The whole path is well-lit at night and has separate bike and pedestrian paths.
- There is also access to public restrooms and water fountains.
- This trail is perfect for seeing the sunset.
3. Two Bridges
Another fairly obvious NYC running destination is the two bridges connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan, which nicely accommodate pedestrians. While the bridges themselves span about 1.2 miles, you can adapt your running sessions by going back or turning to either Brooklyn Bridge Park on the Brooklyn side or to the shore on the Manhattan side.
Why is it great?
- This trail has many options for starting or continuing the run.
- The public transportation is also pretty good, with many stops at Grand St., Canal St., and Chambers St.
4. Prospect Park
This ‘mini Central Park’ is a gem for running in NYC. It has a great mix of meadows, fields, lakes, and wooden structures. You will have a chance to see the Japanese garden and the ballfields and witness the beautiful cityscape of NYC.
The Prospect Park Alliance has created a map showing the best walking and running routes to take. If you decide to take the outer loop, you will run for 3.7 miles, while the inner loop spans 3.4 miles. However, you can always change your mileage by taking the interior paths.
Why is it great?
- There are many ways to change the mileage.
- You will visit different spots with sights to see, both natural and man-made.
5. Flushing Meadows Corona Park
As far as New York City runs go, the Flushing Meadows Corona Park route is probably the most pompous. You will see Citi Field (aka Shea Stadium, home to the baseball team Mets), Queens Art Museum, Arthur Ashe Stadium, and numerous leftovers of the World’s Fair, including the spaceships from Men in Black and the Unisphere.
This course spans 3 miles. However, if you want a more natural loop, you can hug Meadow Lake for a nice 2.42-mile loop.
Why is it great?
- This run has two unique loops to choose from, with one having many of the world’s most famous sights.
- The course is also completely flat.
6. Astoria Park
Astoria Park is among the best destinations for running in NYC, especially for those living in Queens. You’ll see the magnificent city skyline with views of the Triborough Bridge and the park’s serenity.
The loop around the park is roughly 2 miles, but you can add more by going through many of the interior roads and loops or extending your run by passing the Triborough Bridge to Randalls Island.
There is also a 400-meter all-weather track on the park’s south side, as well as the largest public swimming pool in Queens.
Why is it great?
- This NYC running trail is a gem for both Queens residents and those from Manhattan.
- It has a great combination of sights to see, nicely paved roads, and wild trails.
7. Pelham Bay Park
If you are in the Bronx, Pelham Bay Park is the place to run. Enjoy the sights of New York City’s largest park overlooking the magnificent Pelham Bay.
This trail is extremely customizable, so we will not even try to pretend we know how much you will run. We recommend running through City Island Rd and turning left before the bridge, going through the fields and along the shore. Alternatively, you can go through Pelham Bridge Rd and turn right to Glen Island Park.
Why is it great?
- This run sees you visiting the biggest park in NYC with many ways to go.
- You can also choose to run barefoot along the shore, which will feel much better than treading on an asphalt road.
8. NYC Botanical Gardens
The outer loop of the Botanical Gardens spans about 3.5 miles and will show you the perfectly trimmed forests and gardens. You can also take a number of interior paths to shorten or lengthen your run.
The entrance fee is quite steep—$13 for adults or $6 for students—but it is well worth it. And if you are strapped for cash, you can enter for free on Sundays from 9 to 10 AM.
Why is it great?
- This is one of the most visited gardens in the country, so you will see a lot of people all the time.
- Security guards are on duty 24/7, so this is probably the safest run on the list.
9. The Greenbelt
The Greenbelt is the second-biggest park in New York and one of the best destinations for running in NYC. It has over 35 miles of marked running and hiking trails with nice gravel and wild paths. You will visit forests, meadows, and wetlands and might even encounter some wildlife.
Why is it great?
- The Greenbelt features not just great scenery but also numerous landmarks (including museums, historic old buildings, and ruins) to visit.
- You can also choose one of the many routes premade by the park’s caretakers.
10. Silver Lake Park
Originally an answer to Central Park and Prospect Park, Silver Lake Park features scenic trails and vast open spaces to wander. If you hug the lake, your loop will span about 2 miles. You can also combine this loop with a run through Clove Lakes Park and even run into Greenbelt.
Why is it great?
This relatively short route has many scenic views along with options to prolong your route if you want, making it one of the most flexible New York City running routes.
Conclusion
We hope you liked our list of the 10 best places to run in NYC. If we missed a great local track, feel free to share it in the comments. And if you are interested in competitive or fun racing in NYC, check out our top 10 running races in New York.
