6 Great Places To Sunbathe In NYC

(credit: Dream Downtown Hotel)

On the second floor of the Dream Downtown Hotel in Chelsea sits an oasis. Aptly called The Beach, this 4,800-square-foot heated pool lets swimmers peer down at guests arriving in the lobby below (and that means, of course, they can see you. Wear your best suit.). You can lay on the Cote D'Azur-inspired chaise lounges, sip a cocktail in one of the private cabanas, or just marvel at the actual (imported) sand. Pool attendants are on hand to supply sunscreen or mist you with Evian. It's not free, but few things are.

(credit: Hudson River Park / Facebook)

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The longest waterfront park in the United States has plenty of places to park yourself and soak up the sun—more than 550 acres, or about 5 miles, in fact. Among the park's treasures are playgrounds, benches, memorials, sculptures, fishing areas, piers, outdoor movies, concerts, terrific views of New Jersey, dog runs, dance lessons, boat docks where you can set off onto the river or watch vessels being built, and lots and lots of grassy knolls. Stake a claim, spread your towel, and watch the afternoon go by in a flash.

(credit: Russian & Turkish Baths)

As part of the price of admission to the Russian & Turkish Baths in the East Village, you get full use of the outdoor sundeck, with padded chairs and benches. You also get to schvitz in the redwood sauna or bake in the Russian sauna, in which 20,000 pounds of rock are "cooked" every night, or you can cool down in the "ice cold" pool or the aromatherapy room. These baths have been around since the 1890s, but recent upgrades mean you won't know it. Check the calendar before you go, as some days are women or men only.

(credit: Central Park / Facebook)

Certainly the secret's out about this park, but that doesn't make Central Park any less fun for sunbathing. You can join the crowds on the Sheep Meadow, where sheep once grazed, or head off into a more secluded corner. All told, Central Park has about 250 acres of lawn. When you tire of soaking up the rays, you can watch a baseball or softball game, listen for birds in the Ramble, admire the flowers, trees, and shrubs, take a stroll over one of its 36 bridges, visit the zoo or the castle, ride the carousel, play checkers or chess, paddle a boat, or go fishing.

(credit: Brooklyn Bridge Park / Facebook [photo Etienne Frossard])

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Brooklyn Bridge Park offers amazing views of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. You'll be so busy admiring the cityscape, you won't even notice how tan you're getting. If you get too hot, take a swim in the Pop-Up Pool at Pier 2. If (or when) you start feeling peckish, visit one of the concession stands for lemonade, burritos, pizza, lobster rolls, and some of the best ice cream in the city, among other fare. On Sundays, Smorgasburg, with more than 75 food vendors, sets up at Pier 5.

(credit: Staten Island Parks)

Part of Staten Island's Gateway National Recreation Area, Great Kills Park sits on more than 580 acres. The name "Great Kills" comes from a Dutch word meaning "many creeks." The park has lots of water, with beaches to match—four in fact: Oakwood Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, Fox Beach, and New Dorp Beach, home to one of the earliest permanent European settlements in the area. This park also has the only osprey nesting site in the borough, complete with special nesting platforms provided for the birds.