With over 1,700 parks in NYC, it’s not surprising that some of them may be a bit hidden in and around the city. The Elevated Acre is right in the middle of the Financial District, though you would never see it when passing by. That’s because this park is hidden stories above street level. To find the entrance, you have to walk down Water Street either passing the Chase Bank or the main building (55 Water Street), and look for the stairs tucked away between them.

The park is beautifully landscaped on one side, with an astroturf green on the other that I’ve loved using for picnics! Three sides of the park are surrounded by the skyscrapers of the Financial District, while one side of the park has a promenade that looks out over the East River, parts of the harbor, and over to both Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Bridge. The Acre is always very quiet due to the fact that few people even know it exists!

Though temporarily closed due to Covid, there is a small, quiet bar located next to the landscaped area of the park that serves delicious cocktails and local brews.