Hudson River Greenway
Hudson River Greenway
4.5
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The area
Neighborhood: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
How to get there
- Whitehall St – South Ferry • 2 min walk
- South Ferry • 3 min walk
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7,258 within 3 miles
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2,658 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
62 reviews
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misopiso88
Seattle, WA24,941 contributions
Apr 2021
Terrific path along the water to get away from the noise of the roads and watch sunset! Highly recommend!
Written April 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gotham-Lover
New York City28 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
New York City is finally catching up to other world-class cities – it has become bicycle-friendly!
Okay, it’s not yet Copenhagen with bicycles everywhere, but the past few years have seen some incredible changes for the better in urban bicycling. The Dept. of Transportation claims that the city now has 350 miles (563 Km) of new bike lanes.
Many of these lanes have been added to streets and avenues as a means of expediting point-to-point commuting. Then there are the “scenic” routes, such as the route that allows one to circumnavigate the entire 32-mile (51 Km) perimeter of Manhattan, (which, as any city map shows, is an island).
That would be accomplished by bicycling the newly-completed Manhattan Waterfront Greenway (see URL below). Officially it is made up of three parts: The Hudson River Greenway, The Harlem River Greenway, and The East River Greenway.
This reviewer’s personal favorite is The Hudson River Greenway. It parallels the Hudson River, starting at Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan, and continuing all the way north to Inwood, at the northern tip of Manhattan. Its lower half, from Battery Park to 59th Street, is a well-paved and well-marked route running alongside a very busy multi-lane urban roadway. The upper half is much quieter and at times is mere feet from the river.
All along the views are spectacular. The Hudson is always busy with ferries and other working vessels, and on the other side is New Jersey. Look over the opposite shoulder and you will have a great view of the iconic Manhattan skyline as you pass the financial district, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and the theater district. Of course you may detour to visit any of these areas, but watch for marked crossings and obey stoplights!
Or you may choose to simply ‘stay with the river,’ and take advantage of the renovated piers, now planted with grass and trees, that are part of Hudson River Park. The park has many amenities, including places to find refreshments (URL below). An even better choice for refreshments in Spring, Summer, and Fall is a bit further uptown, past the U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier and the Passenger Ship Terminal, at the delightful Pier 1 Café with its shaded tables and varied menu.
Rested and refreshed, you will definitely want to continue further uptown, at least as far as the magnificent George Washington Bridge, which spans the Hudson at W. 181st Street. At this point, if your goal is to bike around the island, you will continue on up to the Harlem and East River Greenways (see URLs below). Otherwise, you have the option of reversing your trip or, again being traffic-wary, opt to ride back via one or more of the bike lanes shown on the NYC Bike Map (see URL).
A final word of caution: New York City’s year-old shared-bike system, CITIBIKE, although excellent, is meant for only short hops of 30 minutes maximum. For a ride on the Greenways, plan on renting a bike for a longer period (see URLs below).
BIKE AND ROLL (rentals, tours, etc)
http://www.bikenewyorkcity.com/
NYC BIKE MAPS
http://www.nycbikemaps.com/
OFFICIAL NYC DEPT. TRANSPORTATION BIKE MAP
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/bikemaps.shtml
CITIBIKE RESOURCES PAGE (very valuable information)
http://www.citibikenyc.com/resources
GUIDE TO HUDSON RIVER PARK
http://www.hudsonriverpark.org/explore-the-park
RIVERSIDE PARK, UPPER WEST SIDE
http://www.nycgovparks.org/park-features/riverside-park/virtual-tour
Okay, it’s not yet Copenhagen with bicycles everywhere, but the past few years have seen some incredible changes for the better in urban bicycling. The Dept. of Transportation claims that the city now has 350 miles (563 Km) of new bike lanes.
Many of these lanes have been added to streets and avenues as a means of expediting point-to-point commuting. Then there are the “scenic” routes, such as the route that allows one to circumnavigate the entire 32-mile (51 Km) perimeter of Manhattan, (which, as any city map shows, is an island).
That would be accomplished by bicycling the newly-completed Manhattan Waterfront Greenway (see URL below). Officially it is made up of three parts: The Hudson River Greenway, The Harlem River Greenway, and The East River Greenway.
This reviewer’s personal favorite is The Hudson River Greenway. It parallels the Hudson River, starting at Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan, and continuing all the way north to Inwood, at the northern tip of Manhattan. Its lower half, from Battery Park to 59th Street, is a well-paved and well-marked route running alongside a very busy multi-lane urban roadway. The upper half is much quieter and at times is mere feet from the river.
All along the views are spectacular. The Hudson is always busy with ferries and other working vessels, and on the other side is New Jersey. Look over the opposite shoulder and you will have a great view of the iconic Manhattan skyline as you pass the financial district, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and the theater district. Of course you may detour to visit any of these areas, but watch for marked crossings and obey stoplights!
Or you may choose to simply ‘stay with the river,’ and take advantage of the renovated piers, now planted with grass and trees, that are part of Hudson River Park. The park has many amenities, including places to find refreshments (URL below). An even better choice for refreshments in Spring, Summer, and Fall is a bit further uptown, past the U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier and the Passenger Ship Terminal, at the delightful Pier 1 Café with its shaded tables and varied menu.
Rested and refreshed, you will definitely want to continue further uptown, at least as far as the magnificent George Washington Bridge, which spans the Hudson at W. 181st Street. At this point, if your goal is to bike around the island, you will continue on up to the Harlem and East River Greenways (see URLs below). Otherwise, you have the option of reversing your trip or, again being traffic-wary, opt to ride back via one or more of the bike lanes shown on the NYC Bike Map (see URL).
A final word of caution: New York City’s year-old shared-bike system, CITIBIKE, although excellent, is meant for only short hops of 30 minutes maximum. For a ride on the Greenways, plan on renting a bike for a longer period (see URLs below).
BIKE AND ROLL (rentals, tours, etc)
http://www.bikenewyorkcity.com/
NYC BIKE MAPS
http://www.nycbikemaps.com/
OFFICIAL NYC DEPT. TRANSPORTATION BIKE MAP
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/bikemaps.shtml
CITIBIKE RESOURCES PAGE (very valuable information)
http://www.citibikenyc.com/resources
GUIDE TO HUDSON RIVER PARK
http://www.hudsonriverpark.org/explore-the-park
RIVERSIDE PARK, UPPER WEST SIDE
http://www.nycgovparks.org/park-features/riverside-park/virtual-tour
Written June 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luvs2TravelAnywhere
New York City, NY7,181 contributions
Jul 2016
I walk or bike along the Hudson Greenway once a week on a new contract I started. The views are stunning and terrain is flat so it is easy to both walk or bike. There is a beach for volley ball, tennis courts, free kayaking, the Chelsea Piers with golfing, and fabulous art exhibits along the way. LOVE IT!
Written July 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BroadwayBruce
New York City, NY82 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
the hudson river greenway is a beautiful park that stretches from the southern tip of the island up to the George Washington Bridge. On a nice day its a great way to embrace the island itself and its surroundings. You can relax in Battery Park City, sit and chill on a number of rebuilt piers, grab some food at spots along the way, even get a great drink on a former lightship now moored by 26 street. There's also Chelsea Piers, the Circle Line, the Intrepid etc... One serious word to the wise. the greenway bike path is perilous on weekends.. bike racers, tourists riding tandem, rollerbladers, parents with kids on little bikes all crowd here. at some points one crosses cruise ship tourists, joggers, walkers etc... it is VERY EASY TO GET HURT... REPEAT.. GET HURT... if riding a bike stay right and beware racers who will run you down. beware e-bikes as well... few are wearing helmets which can turn a peaceful ride into a near death craniotomy. then again, that will give you a chance to visit the level trauma center at Bellevue .... so beware..... keep your eyes open and your head up... and wear a helmet. which the tourists guys don't require....I've seen lots of bad accidents, and folks carted away by ambulance... be sharp, be safe, be protected... this is New York at its best and worst.
Written June 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geert M
Leuven, Belgium7 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
I have been fortunate to be running in many stunning places around the world, but my absolute favorite is the Hudson River Greenway. You may want to do it in two or more chunks, but it is fabulous. Many choose to follow the Southern sections, from Battery Park to, say, 60th Street. Fair enough, there is a lot to see on that stretch, ranging from the Verrazano Bridge, Miss Liberty, Ellis Island, the Colgate Sign, the Holland and Lincoln Tunnel buildings, the Chelsea Piers, the USS Intrepid, etc. The bike path and running trail is of great quality all along and, most importantly, takes you much much further north.
Once you pass 60th street, it gets considerably less crowded, and ever so gently you see Manhattan on your right rise above the Hudson River, while you stay at river level, at least of the time being. Once past Central Park and Morningside Park (which you don't see), you hit 125th street, with the superb road and #1 train overpasses. After a bit of twisting and turning, you're on the path again, between the Hudson River and the Hudson Line Amtrak tracks. And now the city really starts to rise, making you go through a steep hairpin incline, starting just underneath stunning George Washington Bridge, with the little red lighthouse on your left. Once up the hill, it is hard to believe that this is the same Manhattan of Battery Park and Penn Station. It looks more like the Apallachan Mountains or the Rockies! Don't forget to stop at the Belvedere - you really can't miss it once you made it to this point, around 180-187th Street.
A bit further down, once past Fort Tryon Park, down it goes again, to river level at Dyckman Street, the northermost street that makes it to the River. We're in Inwood Park now, and on the lookout for a staircase that takes us up to the Henry Hudson Parkway rather than on the loop around the northern tip of the Island. After yet another steep climb, the Henry Hudson Bridge looms, taking you across to Spuyten Duyvil.
A fun way to end the journey is by winding down to Spuyten Duyvil Metro-North Railway station, where one of the frequent trains will take you back to Grand Central Terminal. And that's a great place for dining, whether at the Oyster Bar or Michael Jordan's.
Once you pass 60th street, it gets considerably less crowded, and ever so gently you see Manhattan on your right rise above the Hudson River, while you stay at river level, at least of the time being. Once past Central Park and Morningside Park (which you don't see), you hit 125th street, with the superb road and #1 train overpasses. After a bit of twisting and turning, you're on the path again, between the Hudson River and the Hudson Line Amtrak tracks. And now the city really starts to rise, making you go through a steep hairpin incline, starting just underneath stunning George Washington Bridge, with the little red lighthouse on your left. Once up the hill, it is hard to believe that this is the same Manhattan of Battery Park and Penn Station. It looks more like the Apallachan Mountains or the Rockies! Don't forget to stop at the Belvedere - you really can't miss it once you made it to this point, around 180-187th Street.
A bit further down, once past Fort Tryon Park, down it goes again, to river level at Dyckman Street, the northermost street that makes it to the River. We're in Inwood Park now, and on the lookout for a staircase that takes us up to the Henry Hudson Parkway rather than on the loop around the northern tip of the Island. After yet another steep climb, the Henry Hudson Bridge looms, taking you across to Spuyten Duyvil.
A fun way to end the journey is by winding down to Spuyten Duyvil Metro-North Railway station, where one of the frequent trains will take you back to Grand Central Terminal. And that's a great place for dining, whether at the Oyster Bar or Michael Jordan's.
Written April 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
njbaseball2017
Clifton, NJ56 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We stepped off the subway at Dyckman St. and walked a short distance up Riverside Dr. to where the road splits, sending motorists north on the Henry Hudson Parkway toward Yonkers or south to all of Manhattan. In front of the highway sign directing cars stood a small sign with an arrow pointing the way to the NYC Greenway. And our journey began.
On a pleasant, 70-degree April Saturday, we walked 14 miles along the Hudson River. After passing under the parkway, we passed The Cloisters (up the hill) and The Billings Arcade. At the Grecian Temple, the views of the Hudson below were wide, New Jersey across the water. The path up here is right along the highway, so there's never a doubt you're in the city, but the trees and river views help you forget about the traffic. By the time we reached the George Washington Bridge, we were down at the shoreline, passing the Little Red Lighthouse and pretty much on flat ground for the next 13 miles.
Having walked parts of the Greenway, mostly between Christopher St. and the High Line, on my way to work some days, I got it in my head that I wanted to walk the whole thing -- or at least the majority of it in Manhattan -- in one day. So we went for it. On what was one of the first spring-like weekend days of the year, the crowds only grew as we moved south. Cyclists everywhere. Joggers, kids. Sunbathers. Picnics. The artist who stands stones on the shoreline in an ever-changing project he calls the Sisyphus Stones was out arranging new formations. We passed at least two birthday parties. The 79th St. Boat Basin Cafe was hopping (as were the boat bars south of Christopher).
We went from the wooded, nearly pastoral north (falling short because of the highway) through the Upper West Side. The NY Central 69th Street Transfer Bridge marked the transition to the bustling midtown stretch that includes the cruise terminals, the Circle Line, the ferry docks and the Intrepid museum. It's the Times Square of the Greenway, due West of the actual one. We passed the Javits and strolled alongside the northern end of the High Line, before it bends toward the new Hudson Yards construction. After going around Chelsea Piers (though you can walk through it, too) and past the Whitney, we veered off the Greenway for an ice-cream refuel at Ample Hills Creamery to fortify us for the home stretch.
Below Chelsea -- from the West Village on down -- the park takes on the feel of those neighborhoods: decidedly residential. By Battery Park City, it's its own small community. It's a completely different world from what we walked through at the start, 14 miles earlier.
It was a great way to see and experience the city, and something we may very well do again, because it's there.
On a pleasant, 70-degree April Saturday, we walked 14 miles along the Hudson River. After passing under the parkway, we passed The Cloisters (up the hill) and The Billings Arcade. At the Grecian Temple, the views of the Hudson below were wide, New Jersey across the water. The path up here is right along the highway, so there's never a doubt you're in the city, but the trees and river views help you forget about the traffic. By the time we reached the George Washington Bridge, we were down at the shoreline, passing the Little Red Lighthouse and pretty much on flat ground for the next 13 miles.
Having walked parts of the Greenway, mostly between Christopher St. and the High Line, on my way to work some days, I got it in my head that I wanted to walk the whole thing -- or at least the majority of it in Manhattan -- in one day. So we went for it. On what was one of the first spring-like weekend days of the year, the crowds only grew as we moved south. Cyclists everywhere. Joggers, kids. Sunbathers. Picnics. The artist who stands stones on the shoreline in an ever-changing project he calls the Sisyphus Stones was out arranging new formations. We passed at least two birthday parties. The 79th St. Boat Basin Cafe was hopping (as were the boat bars south of Christopher).
We went from the wooded, nearly pastoral north (falling short because of the highway) through the Upper West Side. The NY Central 69th Street Transfer Bridge marked the transition to the bustling midtown stretch that includes the cruise terminals, the Circle Line, the ferry docks and the Intrepid museum. It's the Times Square of the Greenway, due West of the actual one. We passed the Javits and strolled alongside the northern end of the High Line, before it bends toward the new Hudson Yards construction. After going around Chelsea Piers (though you can walk through it, too) and past the Whitney, we veered off the Greenway for an ice-cream refuel at Ample Hills Creamery to fortify us for the home stretch.
Below Chelsea -- from the West Village on down -- the park takes on the feel of those neighborhoods: decidedly residential. By Battery Park City, it's its own small community. It's a completely different world from what we walked through at the start, 14 miles earlier.
It was a great way to see and experience the city, and something we may very well do again, because it's there.
Written June 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danders1999
Liberty, Missouri, United States515 contributions
Apr 2015 • Solo
I picked my hotel location (midtown) specifically to be close to both Central Park and also the Hudson River Greenway in order to run. I'd run in CP years ago, so wanted to give the greenway a try, and I also was looking to get in a pretty long run (for me) and didn't know if I'd be running around in circles in CP to get 10-12 miles in. So I chose the greenway and it was pretty good. It's really long so you can build pretty much whatever mileage you seek. I have two complaints....1) it's paved. Sure it's great to have a path, in Manhattan, where you can run a long distance without dealing with traffic, cross-walks, etc., but I like dirt/trails. 2) I didn't pass a single place on the greenway from around 53rd street up to the GW bridge where there were facilities. So if you need to take a poo by chance, you're pretty much out of luck...and the path isn't concealed enough to allow a convert potty spot either. All in all, I really enjoyed the run; will likely head into Central Park next time just for something different.
Written April 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carl H
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States79 contributions
Jun 2019
We loved the greenway. If you are visiting the city, rent a bike for the day at Central Park Bike Rental and head to the waterfront. It offers beautiful views of Manhattan and New Jersey, bridges, piers, parks and attractions. Food and drinks is limited, so take something with you.
Written June 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belgoroad
Hampton, NH20 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
I've spent hours many times walking (or bicycling) the Greenway. If you start at Battery Park you have a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty, a national park museum about Ellis Island and there are often street dancers performing, lots of fun and wonderful history! If you feel like going far, especially if you have a bike, you can go all the way around the tip and then come up by the Freedom Tower (it will be on your right) and the 9-11 memorial. There are healthy alternatives in the mall there, or you can get a great burger and shake at Shake Shack. For less walking, start at the 911 memorial .There's a great free park for the kids, even a little mini golf spot, as you walk up the Hudson on the Greenway maybe 1/4 mile past the Freedom Tower. Great free splash park in the summer. Any way you go, you'll have some great hours of seeing so much beauty and it need not cost a dime.
Written February 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AustinPowers1969
Nuuk, Greenland7 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
Wow. Am amazed this only has 27 reviews. This is a charming strip of "park" land that runs from lower Manhattan up to Midtown, but it is at its best near the West Village and Christopher Street. Walking out on the piers which have been redeveloped is just lovely. Romantic. Free.
Written October 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Which is the safest (traffic free or low traffic volume) route to cycle from Westside Greenway path to the Summer Streets festivities on Park Avenue which starts on 72nd street? Do we need to go through Central Park to get to Park Avenue?
Written August 3, 2017
Using 72nd St is a good idea because it cuts right through Central Park. At the Upper East Side, you are nearly there, just cross 5th and Madison Avenues.
Written August 3, 2017
Which is the safest (traffic free or low traffic volume) route to cycle from Central Park to the Hudson River Greenway?
Written August 22, 2016
There will always be some traffic, but several Streets between 59th and 110th have designated bike lanes. For example, 71st cuts through Central Park and connects smoothly to the Hudson River Greenway by going under the Hudson River Parkway.
Written August 3, 2017
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