Profile

Hudson River Park rose in 1998 from the ashes of the ill-fated Westway proposal. Today, the partially completed waterfront park encompasses 550 acres and five miles of uninterrupted bike path. Starting at Battery Place with the unfinished Promenade South, a walkway whose final design will depend on the reconstruction of Ground Zero, the park runs north all the way to West 59th Street. In the Greenwich Village section—the first to be completed—a thin strip of manicured, dog-free lawn separates cars zooming down the West Side Highway from a wide, stone path offering breathtaking views of the water. Joggers and pugs on leashes fill the path in the late afternoon. As the sun sets, canoodling couples and smirking teenagers flock to grass-covered, 900-foot Pier 45. Further north at Pier 96, free yellow and red kayaks bob on the river. Pier 54 in the Chelsea section has more of an On The Waterfront vibe, with its enormous iron archway, rusting cleats and fences topped with barbed wire. Stop by on Sunday nights for the free MoonDance series (dance lessons included), but watch out— if you’re not careful, you’ll get asked to dance by overeager, Hawaiian-shirted seniors who think they coulda been a contender. — Candace Taylor

Couples will likely encounter some red tape and are required to obtain a written permit from the Hudson River Park Trust, but this site is worth it. The park includes five miles of beautiful waterfront property from Tribeca to west midtown, and includes piers, fields, and boathouses. Prices upon request.

Related Stories

Best of New York Awards

• Where to Play (2007)