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The only state park in Manhattan, Riverbank State Park makes great use of an otherwise useless area. It’s the first park in the Western hemisphere to be built on top of a residential wastewater treatment facility and its elevated address—69 feet above the Hudson River—offers its two and a half million annual visitors fabulous views from any vantage point. From the promenade, the panorama stretches all the way to lower Manhattan and New Jersey. Riverbank is a popular destination for film crews too, giving visitors something else to gawk at—recent sightings include Donald Trump filming The Apprentice and the cast from Law & Order. The 28-acre park has multiple levels with facilities for sporty types as well as leisure seekers. An outdoor lap pool, tennis, basketball and handball courts, a running track, and softball, football and soccer fields are housed on the upper terrace. Below, there’s a 400-seat amphitheater and docking facilities at the river’s edge. The park’s indoor facilities include an Olympic-size pool, fitness center and restaurant. Two playgrounds, a carousel, and several grassy picnic areas cater to children. At this park, however, two groups are not welcome: cyclists and pets. Both clog up the well-worn walkways and are banned from Riverbank. — Kirsten Matthew

A collaborative effort between local artist Milo Mottola and local children (who designed the animals), the carousel can be found at Riverside Dr. and 145th St. Open summer weekends, 1 p.m.—6 p.m.

Skating Rink
Locals and commuters come to skate and admire the river view at this canopied rink. Open weekends. $4 for adults; $1 for children under 12; $4 for skate rental). Roller-skating replaces ice-skating from May to October.

Tours
Free tours by appointment only. Phone 212-694-3655.

Classes & Lectures
More than 400 education programs, from quilting to salsa to pilates. Call for more details.