Pretty places to go in NYC?

The High Line. The second part just opened and from the pictures, it looks breathtaking. I say this as an environmental architecture student. Don't Miss The High Line.

All the way West at the Hudson River, beyond the West Side Highway, there are a bunch of little parks and shores. The one near Christopher Street, in the West Village, is absolutely gorgeous.

The expansion/renovation of Washington Square Park recently opened, and it's gorgeous, but quite crowded.

Explore Central Park. Go to Zabar's on the Upper West Side, get some sandwiches/other picnic food, and eat in the park.

A friend of mine swears by Tompkins Square Park.

Aside from parks, I don't know if your parents are into LGBT history, but a walk through the West Village (Stonewall, Gay Street, countless other gay bars) is great. There are tours, but I'd recommend just going yourself. Also, explore downtown Manhattan. Soho has a lot of cobblestone streets that you normally wouldn't expect to see in Manhattan.

Oh! The church on 110th near Columbia (the name is skipping me) is absolutely gorgeous!!!

It is St. John the Divine Episcopal Cathedral at 111th and Amsterdam Ave.

I second the Cloisters. You won't find a prettier, more calming place in NYC.

I've just only now discovered Hudson River Park, as ahhrealmonsters already suggested (the park past the West Side Highway). I have no idea why I've never been there--I absolutely love it. The High Line imho is an acquired taste, but I'm getting to love it.

I'd also recommend the Boathouse Cafe. GORgeous. Touristy, but go off peak (before dinner) and have nibbles or drinks and enjoy the view. Really amazing. The food is well, kind of awful, to be honest, but the setting is incredible. Stick to apps and beverages and go for the atmosphere.

The Cloisters most definitely.

the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center That is located downtown by the WTC site.
Regarding a post about the Staten Island Ferry. Stay off at all costs. In the first place the crowds are insane on the weekends, and the lowest of the low locals tend to inhabit the boats and terminals on the weekends. You still want to take it? Get on a boat between 7 and 9 AM.Less crowded and you will be able to enjoy yourself.

The Bethesda Fountain in Central Park is a MUST. It's my favorite place in NYC. I can't believe nobody has mentioned it yet!

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The Promenade in Brooklyn Heights with a nice luch on Montague street. Or the Promenade and lunch at Grimaldi's and Kayaking in the new Brooklyn Bridge Park! Spectacular views of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge!

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Updated On: 6/18/11 at 06:31 PM

Uncageg, I work in the Flatiron--and I love looking at Madison Square Park from my window!

I love Madison Square Park too. I love that they have that penned in area for dogs. I like sitting near it and dog watching.

I also was on the new area of the Highline park today. It was nice, for the most part. I liked walking and seeing building structures that I probably would never pay attention to down on street level. But, my gripe is how crowded it was in certain areas. It was also a tad bit disturbing seeing parents stripping their children down to diapers and underwear to play in the area that was meant for cooling your feet down in water.

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