The East River Greenway is another car-free esplanade on the waterfront on the East River. It stretches from Battery Park in the south to 125th Street in north, about 9 miles. Note: there’s a ~1 mile gap between E 53rd S. & E 38th St.. in the UN Plaza area, and there are plans to close it.  There are plans to close some other gaps, mainly on the lower east side. INFO

We have divided the route into two sections, one is north from the UN and the other to the south. Especially pretty at sunrise. Much of the path is lit!

Greenway looking south. Author photo

1. East 34th St.-Battery Park. 4.4 miles one-way. A wonderful run from mid-town to Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan. The main parts of this route are the East River Waterfront and East River Park, where you can enjoy great views of the East River, Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge as well as Brooklyn on the other side of East River. Toward the northern part, run through Kips Bay, Stuyvesant Cove Park, and brick paved Captain Patrick J. Brown Walk. Most of this run is along a seamless waterfront path, well-signed. Skyline views heading north, and bridge/Statue of Liberty views heading south.  NEW [2024]: A pedestrian bridge at Delancey Street was opened.

2. East 34th Street-East 125th Street. 5.0 miles one-way. This part of the East River Greenway consists of East Harlem, Carl Schurz Park and Upper East Side, and it tends to be less crowded than below East 34th Street. Enjoy spectacular views of the north end of Roosevelt Island and its lighthouse. You will also see western shoreline of Randall’s Island as well as the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge and the Willis Avenue Bridge. NOTE: ~1 mile gap between E 53rd S. & E 38th St.. in the UN Plaza area, and there are plans to close it.

  • It is possible to run over to Randall’s Island — which is nice in theory but there is quite a bit of construction.