THE STUMPJUMPERS
Stumpjumpers Playground Guide

Hudson River Greenway Playgrounds, North to South

Updated October 2026

The Hudson River Greenway is our favorite way to get around Manhattan, and it's lined with playgrounds. These are the best stops along the way, in order from north to south, so you can plan a ride or a run and stop whenever someone in the back seat starts asking.

Since bathrooms are what really make or break a stop on a long ride, every listing shows the bathroom rating right up front.

Work in progress: these are the Greenway stops we've reviewed so far, not every playground along the river. More stops will be added as we ride and run to them.
  1. River Run Playground

    Stop 1 River Run Playground

    Riverside Park between W. 81st & 83rd Sts., Manhattan

    An aging classic built around a squiggly concrete “river” that flows from a splash fountain down to the legendary sandbox, whose so-bad-they're-great sculptures creep some parents out. Hidden in Riverside Park, often overlooked, and completely wonderful. Both a hidden gem and worth the trip.

    Overall Fun: Floating boats down a river never gets old.
    Bathrooms: A large public restroom right in the park.
    Read the full review »
  2. Tom Otterness Playground

    Stop 2 Tom Otterness Playground

    W. 42nd St. between 11th & 12th Aves. (Silver Towers), Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan

    A giant bronze fellow lounging in a courtyard off 42nd Street, with slides for legs — a supersized cousin of the little bronze guys in the 14th Street subway station. Clean, quiet, and one of a kind. My daughter calls it “The Big Guy and Little Guys Playground,” and I can't improve on that.

    Overall Fun: The leg-slides are built for racing.
    Bathrooms: None. The nearest are across 12th Ave in Hudson River Park.
    Read the full review »
  3. Chelsea Waterside Playground

    Stop 3 Chelsea Waterside Playground

    11th Ave. & W. 23rd St., Chelsea, Manhattan

    One of my favorite playgrounds of all time. A giant wooden pipefish, one of the tallest (and definitely fastest) slides in the city, and a splash pad with salvaged stone bull heads and snail jets. Its only flaw is its name — it isn't actually on the water, which may be why it stays a local secret.

    Overall Fun: That slide alone is worth the trip.
    Bathrooms: Just outside the playground gate.
    Read the full review »
  4. Pier 51 Playground

    Stop 4 Pier 51 Playground

    Hudson River Park at Jane St., West Village, Manhattan

    Like a smaller, newer, more colorful version of River Run, built on a pier. The stream through the middle is perfect for damming with sand and floating things down. Worth a stop if you're near Little Island, but it's small, and I wouldn't go out of my way.

    Overall Fun: Damming and boat-floating in the stream is a winner.
    Bathrooms: We don't know of one on the pier itself.
    Read the full review »
  5. Pier 26 Science Playground

    Stop 5 Pier 26 Science Playground

    Hudson River Park at N. Moore St., Tribeca, Manhattan

    Two giant climbable sturgeon that feel less like playground equipment and more like a sculpture you've been given permission to crawl all over. Add a fun playground next door, mini golf, an oyster bar on a boat, and serviceberries to snack on. Worth the trip — just not on a crowded weekend if you can help it.

    Overall Fun: Climbing inside a giant fish never gets old.
    Bathrooms: A public restroom right in the middle, between the fish and the playground.
    Read the full review »
  6. Battery Playscape

    Stop 6 Battery Playscape

    The Battery, at the southern tip of Manhattan

    A great playground with play pieces you won't find anywhere else, and perhaps the best slides in the city — carved from granite. The little stage was a big hit, and the SeaGlass Carousel is right nearby. Highly recommended; just note that the bathrooms are closed for renovations.

    Overall Fun: Granite slides, treehouses, and a stage. Nobody was bored.
    Bathrooms: Closed for renovations; a long walk to the next ones.
    Read the full review »
More guides: The 5 Best NYC Playgrounds for Toddlers (So Far) • Central Park Playgrounds, Ranked • The Playground Map
« Back to The Stumpjumpers Home Page