Top 10 City Parks in North America: Culture, Natural Beauty, and Active Living in Urban Spaces

I don't usually do this, but so many questions in the comments, so...here were the next ten: 11 Lincoln (Chicago) 12 High (Toronto) 13 Boston Common 14 Washington (Portland) 15 Zilker (Austin) 16 Mont-Royal (Montreal) 17 Lake (Milwaukee) 18 City (New Orleans) 19 Governors Island (NY) 20 Piedmont (Atlanta)

Mexican cities are so underrated by people outside of Mexico! They have so much to offer in terms of amenities and cultural attractions

As a New Yorker, Central Park deserves all the recognition it gets. It may be a tourist draw, but locals truly love and get so much use out of the park. I’m really thankful I live within walking distance

As a Chicagoan, I'd probably give the edge to Lincoln Park over Grant Park. There are a lot of areas in Grant Park that feel rather desolate and unused. By contrast, Lincoln Park feels more heavily used and appreciated. It helps that the Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Lincoln Park Zoo, two of the major draws, both have free admission.

As a Philadelphian, for me personally the crown jewel of the Fairmount Park system is Wissahickon Valley Park. Having a picturesque quiet forest river valley with hiking/biking/horse trails only 45 minutes by bike from city hall is just absolutely incredible. Especially since the Schuylkill River trail itself makes 3/4 of that ride almost as pleasant as the destination. At the height of the pandemic being able to hop on my bike and spend a couple hours alone in nature was a massive boon to my mental health.

When people often tell me they couldn’t move to NYC because there’s no nature it’s all concrete it’s often baffling because of not only those two parks, but also all the other tiny ones servicing smaller neighborhoods and the tree lined streets plus being able to get to mountains and hiking and the beaches and shores with a quick train ride. Parks really are vital to a city!! Wish we had park requirements, not parking for buildings Edit: lol for further evidence just look through the comments, thanks for proving my point y’all really making it easy out here

I feel like Mount Royal Park in Montreal should have made the list, but I was so impressed you included CDMX and Monterrey. Totally world class parks!

Love your channel and video subjects! Being a DC resident, I feel like Rock Creek Park is probably the most underrated urban park in the US. Over 3 square miles of forest, fields, hundreds of miles of trails (paved and dirt), recreational fields and tennis courts galore, historical sites, the National Zoo (free to the public!), easily accessible from 2 metro stops and a plethora of bus lines on both sides, and as a bonus connects at its southern end to the National Mall right at the Lincoln Memorial. Can feel like you're miles outside the city getting lost in its trails. Was DC's superstar and savior during the pandemic!

Fair assessment of our STL Forest Park. The only thing I would add, that maybe off-sets the golf issue, is that our world class Zoo, Art Museum, Science Center, and History Museum in the park are 100% admission free. Yes, there's lots of ways you CAN pay money at them (parking, food, special exhibits), but you don't have to. Along with the largest outdoor theater presenting musical theater that has 1500 seats that are 100% free (literally, you walk in and find a seat, that's it), it's an incredibly accessible park for all.

I can personally vouch for Forest Park in Saint Louis. There are no less than three museums and the zoo, all for free. That's my go to spot every time I visit Saint Louis.

Mexico City resident here! I can't even begin to count how much time I've spent in Bosque Chapultepec and I still feel like I've barely scratched the surface. I'm glad it made the list--you're right, it truly is world-class.

As someone who’s lived in both San Diego county and San Francisco, I think Balboa and Golden Gate should be swapped. Balboa has a TON of attractions, but the 5 and 163 freeways cutting it off from downtown (when there used to be large ponds in their place) force it to be something you have to drive to, granted Ik there are neighborhoods within walking distance and idk how those are. In terms of Golden Gate Park it’s MASSIVE and connects to TONS of different incredible neighborhoods within the city AND the beach without any major roads limiting accessibility and you really can get lost in there, I always see something diff. Balboa you end up in the same three key places. Also thanks for the mention of dolo park, it’s a party every weekend lmao

The Montreal parks system is stupidly underrated with Park Lafontaine, Mont-Royal, Jean-Drapeau, Jeanne-mance, Maisonneuve ... the list goes on. Disappointed there wasn't even a mention

As a former San Diego resident, I do spend quite some time in balboa park. Not like every day, but once every week or so, I’ll go visit. It’s a wonderful park with trails, gardens, and museums, and if you live nearby, it’s absolutely amazing. It is a bit touristy, but I don’t think most locals often visit the zoo or the museums, but rather take walks through the park

I live in San Diego and almost didn't expect Balboa Park to get on this list because of the 163 and 5 running right through it. Also the amount of parking lots is slightly frustrating, but it still is an amazing place to walk around in even when not visiting the museums. I visit there quite often.

Former Chicago resident here! Thrilled to see it on the list. Happy you mentioned Lincoln Park as I was a bit perplexed that Grant beat it. I guess it hit your criteria better on paper, but as far as the feel that you were going for Lincoln Park I think exemplifies your values far better. Beaches, a FREE zoo, probably more nearby residents and far better tranquility. I always found Grant to be visually stunning, but sliced up by too many roads to be pleasant.

I was born and raised in San Diego and Balboa park is an absolute cultural gem that everyone experiences, especially if you have children. There are tons of attractions nearby and very often people will use it in combination with visiting the attraction such as the zoo or the museums.

I live in San Francisco and like GG Park very much (just visited the arboretum and Japanese gardens yesterday). I'd use it more often if it weren't on the other side of town. The west and north sides of SF have lots of open space--GG Park, the Presidio, Marina Green, Sunset Beach, Lincoln Park, Fort Mason Center, Aquatic Park--but, sadly, the east side of th City is lacking in outdoor amenities, and the new developments there lack sufficient parks. Short-sighted! Thanks for another great video. Your channel is what Utube is supposed to be (although I tried to read "Subdivision" and didn't care for it.). You are a reliable narrator and that is much appreciated.

Not sure why Grant Park is #2, given that it's mostly a series of public plazas glued together, I think Chapultepec is way better, world-class museums, zoo, historical sites, amazing views, endless tracks, it's really the beating heart of Mexico City

I’m glad you evaluated on urban integration. I have had to explain this concept to so many people since I moved cities. I used to live in a city with extremely well integrated parks and as a result I spent a bunch of time there because my trip to the park could also be my meal or my trip to the grocery store. Plus, this means that lots of people will share my sentiment and there will be more energy and pedestrian activity there.