Get out from behind your screens and out into the fresh air with all the city has to offer in terms of amazing Outdoor Party Venues. Take in the natural beauty and create an awesome party vibe against the blue skies, with some vital vitamin D to increase the party mood. Check out our favorite Outdoor Party Venues in New York below.
New York outdoor party venues at a glance
| Venue | Area | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Hippo Playground | New York | Outdoor |
| Pier i Cafe | New York | Outdoor |
| Bryant Park | New York | Outdoor |
| Central Park | New York | Outdoor |
| Fantasy Forest Amusement Park | Queens | Outdoor |
| Runaway Rapids Water Park | Keansburg, NJ | Outdoor |
Details as listed by each venue when we last checked — confirm with the venue before booking.
6 spots below, hand-picked for New York.
Hippo Playground
Yes, there are hippos! The children can climb over them and run around on the sports fields, playing tennis and volleyball, doing cartwheels on the grass areas and kayaking on the water. Rent the playhouse for special events or just opt for a DIY picnic.
- Setting
- Outdoor
Pier i Cafe
Get the seasonal yum at this Hudson River outdoor cafe, with spectacular views. Their fare is casual and it’s simple counter pick up and al fresco dining. Our favorite drink for a warm summer’s birthday? Their in-house blueberry lemonade!
- Setting
- Outdoor
Bryant Park
This expansive public park has spots to read under the stars, game rooms, carousels, ping pong and putting greens, with the American-style patio dining at the Bryant Grill and Café. They also have monthly events, so check out their calendar.
- Setting
- Outdoor
Central Park
You can’t talk about parks without mentioning Central Park, with its ballfields, zoo and carousel. Their Loeb Boathouse offers gondola rides and winter time allows for some whimsical ice skating, so nobody has to stay cooped up indoors.
- Setting
- Outdoor
Fantasy Forest Amusement Park
The classic amusement park is a must! Go larger than life on thrilling rollercoasters, buggies, trains and twirling tea cups – just try to hold on to your lunch. You can book a private party here, with unlimited access to rides and great goodie bags.
- Setting
- Outdoor
Runaway Rapids Water Park
Counter the heat with an impressive array of splash spots at Runaway Rapids. And they don’t just do slides and splash pads and lazy rivers. They also have go karts and amusement rides, with some great street food. Book a party package that includes food and drinks, rides, ice cream and a birthday gift for the guest of honor.
- Setting
- Outdoor
Booking the entertainment too? We’ll check who’s free.
Venue sorted, cake ordered — now the wow. Tell us your date and we’ll confirm which vetted New York entertainers (face painters, balloon artists, magicians, characters) are actually available.
Free to ask · vetted & insured · money held until after the party
Would you rather do it yourself in a public park?
Everything above is a venue you book: somebody else supplies the space, the staff and the clean-up, and you get a slot and a bill. Doing it yourself in a free public park is a genuinely different plan, and a much cheaper one — but it comes with rules. NYC Parks requires a Special Event Permit once twenty or more people are present, birthday parties included, applications have to be in at least 21 days ahead, and only a handful of parks let you barbecue at all.
We cover that route separately in our blog guide The 5 Best Parks in New York for Kids Parties, which picks one park per borough, says where the playgrounds, restrooms and designated barbecue areas actually are, and walks through the permit paperwork.
Looking specifically for a kids’ birthday party instead of a general outdoor gathering? Our newer Outdoor Birthday Party Venues in New York guide is built around birthday packages, ages and pricing — including two picks from the list above, plus a few more from across the boroughs and beyond.
Our Favorite Outdoor Party Venues in New York — FAQs
Do I need a permit for a birthday party in a New York City park?
Yes, once 20 or more people are present: NYC Parks requires a Special Event Permit, birthday parties included. Applications have to be in at least 21 days ahead, and only a handful of parks let you barbecue at all. Below 20 guests, a picnic in a free public park is a much cheaper plan than a booked venue, though you supply the food, the setup and the cleanup yourself.
Where can I have a birthday picnic in a Manhattan park?
Central Park, Bryant Park and Hippo Playground in Riverside Park all suit a do-it-yourself party. Central Park has ballfields, a zoo, a carousel and gondola rides from the Loeb Boathouse. Bryant Park has carousels, ping pong and putting greens, with patio dining at the Bryant Grill and Café and monthly events on its calendar. At Hippo Playground, by West 91st Street and Riverside Drive, kids climb the hippos, and you can rent the playhouse or just picnic.
