Running in New York City: NYU Edition

During my first year at NYU, this was my go-to route before most of my morning classes. Many of my friends can say the same too. This park is only a mile away from Brittany Hall (my first-year residence) and offers some of the best sunrise views overlooking the Hudson River and New Jersey skyline. The mornings tend to be much less crowded than the afternoons. (Plus, there are more people walking their cute dogs in the mornings!) But the sunsets are just as stunning. I also highly recommend making the trek to Little Island near Pier 54. It’s a unique urban oasis not found anywhere else in the city. To finish this run, you can either head to Chelsea Market for a quick meal or to Pier 45 to stretch on the turf. 

Can you even consider yourself a real NYU student if you haven’t visited Central Park at least once? Central Park is the ultimate runner’s dream. And when you run there for the first time, you will easily understand why the New York City Marathon has its final miles there every year! Yes, the hills may seem to go on forever, but running past Belvedere Castle and Gapstow Bridge will make the lactic acid burning through your calves worth it. Although it may be colder, fall is one of THE best times to run in Central Park. Why? The gorgeous foliage. And a Central Park run would not be complete without sunbathing in Sheep Meadow or trying a chocolate chip cookie from Levain Bakery on the Upper East Side! 

Although you can technically take the free NYU shuttle from the Manhattan campus to the Brooklyn campus, this would take the fun out of walking or running 3.2 miles over the Brooklyn Bridge. You don’t want to miss the chance to experience Jane’s Carousel and the Brooklyn Bridge Park altogether. As a person who has run this route before, I suggest going before noon to avoid crowds. And even if the bike lane seems empty, stay out of it. Those cyclists can show up very quickly. Make sure to have a camera or phone with you to take pictures of the bridge itself either during or after your run. Also, don’t forget to stop in Chinatown afterward for some dim sum! 

It may be your Gossip Girl era, but that doesn’t mean you can’t escape the city for at least one day (preferably before noon) to experience Queens in Long Island City! It is just a short 7 train ride to Gantry Plaza State Park. And this route will give you one of the best views of the New York City skyline along the East River. You can see the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, and even one of the NYU Langone Health hospitals. Definitely run north to take a picture with the iconic Pepsi Cola Sign. And if you have time, ride the New York City ferry too!