Best of New York 2013 • Fun

• Pier 5

  Brooklyn Bridge Park, Joralemon St. at Furman St., Brooklyn Heights; brooklynbridgepark.org

  The ever-expanding Brooklyn Bridge Park would be a worthy destination if it were nothing more than a scrap of grass with some benches: The view of Manhattan is so magnificent it looks fake. Fortunately, the park is infinitely more ambitious. At the recently opened Pier 5, there are netted-in sports fields that seem to float in the East River, two playgrounds, designated fishing areas and bait-prep tables (along with a sign warning that some fish caught in new york city waters may be harmful to eat), and a “picnic peninsula” with big, beautiful salvaged-wood tables shaded by brilliant blue umbrellas. The 22 hibachi-style charcoal grills are first-come, first-serve—better get in line now.

From the 2013 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine