9 American city parks you must see on your next vacation
It’s easy to fall in love with many cities on
your great American vacation. But some cities have parks that are easily worth
spending a relaxing day with the family. Here are 9 parks you can visit in some
of the best towns in the United States.
1. Golden Gate Park – San Francisco, California
A quick glance at an aerial shot of Golden Gate Park may bring Central Park to mind, but it’s
far more awesome. This is over 1,000 acres of incredible as you can enjoy sites
like the Dutch Windmills, Japanese Tea Garden (oldest such garden in the
country), Conservatory of Flowers, Beach Chalet and some impressive art
museums. Sporty folks will also love the Frisbee Golf Course, Anglers Lodge for
fishing and a nine-hole golf course. If you’re just looking to get a whole
overview of the park, then take the 2 ½-hour Segway tour.
2. Grant Park – Chicago, Illinois
It’s not as old as some of the parks on the list, but Grant Park is one of the best excuses to find yourself
out and about in Chicago. Its 319 acres are great for tourists to see the Windy
City. Millennium Park is free and boasts the trippy Cloud Gate sculpture and go
to Jay Pritzker Pavilion for a slew of concerts. Art Institute of Chicago calls
the west edge of Grant Park home, and is one of the best museums in the nation.
And if you just want to gaze out onto Lake Michigan, just take a stroll on the
18-mile path that shows all of the water in its glory.
3. Governors Island – New York City
If you’re in New York City from late May to September, then you’ve got
to visit Governors Island. There’s eclectic sets of art that you can not only
see, but sometimes even play upon during your visit. Weekends give guests a
chance to learn how to use the flying trapeze. Keep an eye out for the Jazz Age Lawn Party as
you can dress like you’re right out of “The Great Gatsby” for lively jazz
music, dance lessons and a 1920s motorcar exhibition. The island also affords
gorgeous views of the Big Apple and Statue of Liberty. Even the ferry ride over
the island is a joy.
4. Papago Park – Phoenix, Arizona
If you can brave the heat (temps get into the low 100s in the
summer), then you’re ready to visit another world.Papago Park is
loaded with orange-red sandstone formations that have been waiting for us to
see them for thousands of years. Get a close look at the local cacti and other
succulents of the region at the Desert Botanical Garden, which also has a slew
of modern art to peruse. Even see some wildlife at the Phoenix Zoo at the park
as well. All you have to do is pick a cheap flight to Phoenix on Skyscanner.
5. Central Park – New York City
Nobody can say they don’t want to visit Central Park when
they go to New York City. It’s been in so many TV shows and movies that
many of us feel like we’ve been there without actually visiting. But do visit
Strawberry Fields to pay respects to the incomparable John Lennon. Gapstow
Bridge is an iconic spot that’s been in everything from “Sex and the City” to
“The Devil Wears Prada.” And the Azalea Walk might be one of the most tranquil
treks you’ll take in the park in the springtime.
6. City Park – New Orleans, Louisiana
You may think of New Orleans as nothing but wild party times, but City Park will force
you to rethink what you know. Historic oak trees with branches reaching out 75
feet give a tremendous atmosphere as you walk through the 1,300-acre oasis in
the heart of bayou country. Families can enjoy the Carousel Gardens Amusement
Park, which has entertained the masses for over a century. The namesake of the
park – an antique wooden carousel – is so revered that it’s listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
7. Balboa Park – San Diego, California
Many of San Diego’s cultural gems are within a small walk at Balboa Park. The Tony
Award-winning Old Globe Theater, world famous San Diego Zoo and several
breathtaking gardens. Film buffs can journey through the environs to see if
they can spot areas of the park that were used in such famed films as “Citizen
Kane,” “Anchorman,” and “Almost Famous.”
8. Forest Park – St. Louis, Missouri
A zoo, public artwork, flowers blooming seemingly everywhere you
turn, a planetarium and a golf course – yes,Forest Park is
a must-do when in the Gateway to the West. The home of the 1904 Summer Olympics
is 500 acres bigger than New York’s Central Park (hard to believe, I know).
September is the time to visit when theGreat Forest Park Balloon
Race fills the skies with a colorful array of hot-air balloons.
9. Schenley Park – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is a pretty cool city to explore, and Schenley Park just
adds to that standing. It’s 456 acres of rolling hills and mature trees are one
of the most relaxing spots you’ll not only find in the Steel City, but the entire nation. Bike paths, walking trails
and a 4,600-yard golf course give you a chance to see almost every inch of this
destination.
Is there a city park you love
that we missed? Let us know in the comments section below.
