Breath of Fresh Air: A Guide for Healing Hot Girl Walks Around New York

Our first spot is located on Elizabeth Street between Prince Street and Spring Street. The Elizabeth Street Garden is a verdant sanctuary you may have never expected you’d find in the concrete jungle. In 1990, lot owner Allan Reiver committed to revamping the abandoned area into a lush environment. He installed the main lawn, constructed the gravel pathway, and planted a variety of greenery amongst statuary. 

Students who live at the Broome Street Residence Hall are only a seven minute walk from the garden. Still, I suggest you visit regardless of where you live in the city. I especially love visiting with my friends during the spring when the flowers are in full bloom and the sun is beaming. If you start walking from campus, check out Little Cupcake Bakeshop or Levain Bakery to purchase a sweet treat for the road. In my experience, a sweet treat always enhances the adventure.

At 9 Rutherford Place sits Stuyvesant Square Park, an East Village gem. It is named after Peter Gerard Stuyvesant who cofounded the New York Historical Society. In 1839, he filed a lawsuit insisting that this previously vacant space be renovated for public use. It wasn’t until 1850 that the park opened to the public.

When I lived at the Third North Residence Hall my first year, I would make several trips to Tompkins Square Bagels and eat in the park. Stuyvesant’s remarkable ambiance contributes to its identity as a zone supportive of hot girls. The park is a manageable size, yet has enough benches, both shaded and in the sun, to customize your outdoor experience. Also, the fountain at its center is a gorgeous addition, giving the space character.

On Manhattan’s west side runs the Hudson River. There are four miles of public piers and pathways along the river where New Yorkers can jog, hang out, etc. The park attracts more than 17 million visitors every year.

My favorite spot by the river is Pier 45. I’ve gone there to listen to a podcast and eat a bagel, scribble in my journal, and spend time with friends. In September 2023, a bunch of my friends and I held a pier picnic. It was such a fun way to reunite after not being together all summer. If you live at NYU’s Greenwich Hall, Pier 45 is just a five minute walk away. I recommend grabbing a slice from Village Square Pizza before heading over. You can’t go wrong with takeout or a picnic either.

Central Park is obviously a hot girl hot spot in general. My favorite area to walk through is certainly The Ramble. As their website describes, the 36 acres were designed to look like the forests of upstate New York. The Ramble includes winding paths, trails, rustic bridges, and a stream, among other features. The Ramble is also home to iconic New York staples like Bethesda Terrace and Belvedere Castle.

With such an adventurous trek uptown (for NYU students, that is), you may want to flesh out an agenda. I suggest stopping at the American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West. This way you can make the most of your visit, learn new things, and get solid time outside. What a good way to work both your mind and body.

This garden may be the most gatekept location on this list, so I’m doing you a favor. This tiny slice of vegetation is a lovely spot to read and rest on the west side. It also provides an opportunity to immerse in wildlife, as since over 100 species of birds have been found there!

If you live at Greenwich Hall, you’re in luck; this hot girl destination is only a block away. Regardless of where you are coming from, picking up a beverage at Blackstone Coffee Roaster or a sandwich at Sanpanino may elevate your hot girl walk.