Forest Park

Talk about a park with a history as rich and lush as its landscape. With high hills, tons of trees, birds galore and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Long Island Sound, this park, which was chartered in 1895 as a respite for the burgeoning populations Brooklyn and Queens, is the third largest in the borough. Take a stroll through the grounds, check out a show at the band shell, ride a horse or get lost on a winding path near the 18-hole golf course—you'll forget that Manhattan is just minutes away.