Where to work remotely outside in New York City
The plaza at BPL’s Central Library branch; Photo courtesy of Gregg Richards
As the weather warms up, WFH can become WFO — work from outside! Bad puns aside, the internet has become ubiquitous, with public internet hotspots popping up everywhere in recent years. Today, many public areas and parks — including National Parks — around the world offer free Wi-Fi. And in New York City, access is expanding.
One exception is on NYC public buses where, due to low usage, the MTA has cut free Wi-Fi. But the focus has shifted to the subway system, which the MTA is aiming to equip with cell phone service — a major game changer for busy, always-connected New Yorkers.
At New York City public parks, free Wi-Fi free public Wi-Fi at approximately 180 sites within more than 125 parks, though some only offer it on a limited basis. Limited, free service allows for three free 10-minute sessions every 30 days, with day passes available for $0.99. Internet providers include AT&T, Altice, Spectrum, and partner providers offer these services. Find a complete list of Wi-Fi hot spots in city parks here.
Other outdoor public areas around the city also offer free Wi-Fi and a nice reprieve from the office. Looking for a good WFO spot? Here’s the Wi-Fi situation at some of NYC’s major outdoor areas:
Public spaces
Photo of outdoor space at the Flatbush Library courtesy of Gregg Richards
Brooklyn Public Library
Many of the Brooklyn Public Library’s branches offer free Wi-Fi that extends outside 300 feet. Click here for a list of branches.
The Elevated Acre is an urban oasis above a building at 55 Water Street in the Financial District. Photo by Billie Grace Ward on Flickr
Lower Manhattan
The Downtown Alliance provides free Wi-Fi around lower Manhattan, including the Elevated Acre, the Plaza 7 at World Trade Center, Fulton Street Plaza, Stone Street, and Peter Minuit Plaza, among others. Click here for a full list of locations.
Photo by Elisa.rolle on Wikimedia Commons
The Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Heights
The Brooklyn Museum’s free Wi-Fi extends out to its famed steps and surrounding outdoor plaza.
Photo © Max Touhey courtesy of the NYPL
Rooftop Terrace at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, Midtown
Part of the New York Public Library, the newly opened Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library at 455 Fifth Avenue has a rooftop terrace with tables and chairs overlooking Midtown. Free Wi-Fi extends to the rooftop, and there’s also a cafe with baked goods, sandwiches, and salads, so you can stay through lunch. The roof terrace is one of the few of its kind in Midtown to be free and public.
Photo credit courtesy of Two Trees Management
Domino Park, Williamsburg
Williamsburg’s newest waterfront park has free Wi-Fi throughout as well as plenty of spots to post up from tables and chairs to grassy areas and waterside benches. Plus, there’s a taco joint for when hunger strikes.
NYC parks
Photo courtesy of NYC Parks / Daniel Avila
Manhattan
The Battery, Financial District
Free, unlimited.
Bowling Green, Financial District
Free, unlimited.
Bryant Park, Midtown
Limited, free at 6th Avenue near the library steps. Wi-Fi is available through a partner site near 6th Avenue
Central Park
Free, unlimited South side near Sheep Meadow Mineral Spring, South side near Rumsey Playfield and South side near Central Park Zoo. Limited, free at Delacorte Theater, North Meadow Recreation Center, Tennis Center and East side of Met Museum in Central Park.
Chelsea Park, Chelsea
Limited, free.
City Hall Park, Financial District
Limited, free.
Madison Square Park, Flatiron
Wi-Fi available through partner site at South side of park. Limited, free throughout the park.
Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem
Free, unlimited at the Amphitheater. Limited, free Outside Pelham Fritz near the baseball field and at the Library CRC Dining Hall Baseball Diamond.
Riverside Park, Upper West Side
Limited, free along the waterfront from West 72nd Street to West 78th Street, along the waterfront near the Pier i Cafe, and at the West 79th Street Boat Basin.
Photo by Brandon Baunach on Flickr
The High Line, Chelsea
Unlimited, free near 23rd Street.
Tompkins Square Park, East Village
Unlimited, free around the Field House.
Union Square Park, Union Square
Wi-Fi provided by a partner site.
Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village
Limited, free.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade; Photo © 6sqft
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Brooklyn Heights
Unlimited, free near Montague Street and the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Limited, free along the Promenade between Clark Street and Pierrepont Street.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Dumbo
Free, unlimited near Atlantic Ave and Brooklyn Queens Expressway.
Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk, Coney Island
Limited, free near Abe Stark Arena, the New York Aquarium, and West 10th, West 12th, and West 15th Streets.
Fort Greene Park, Fort Greene
Free, unlimited near visitor’s center.
McCarren Park, Williamsburg
Free, unlimited near the Field House area. Limited, free near the track area.
Prospect Park
Free, unlimited near the Picnic House. Limited, free near the bandshell, boathouse, ice rink, and parade ground.
Queens
Alley Pond Park
Limited free near the tennis courts and Comfort Station Ballfield.
Astoria Park, Astoria
Free, unlimited near the track and ball fields.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Free, unlimited near the Queens Zoo.
Kissena Park, Flushing
Limited, free.
Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, The Rockaways
Limited, free near Beach 106th, Beach 97th, Beach 116th Street, Beach 12th Street, Beach 73rd Street, and Beach 86th Street.
Bronx
Bronx Park
Limited, free near NYC Parks Bronx Headquarters and Burke Avenue.
Ferry Point Park, Throgs Neck
Limited, free near Northeast, Northwest, and Southeast areas of the park.
Pelham Bay Park, Pelham
Limited, free near Aileen B Ryan Recreational Complex and Middletown Rd ballfields and parking lot.
Van Cortlandt Park
Limited, free near Parade Ground.
Photo of FDR Boardwalk and Beach courtesy of Shannon McGee on Flickr
Staten Island
Cloves Lake Park, Sunnyside
Free, unlimited near ballfields. Limited, free near Stonehenge Staten Island Headquarters and Lake Club Restaurant.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach
Limited, free along the beach between Slater Boulevard and Ocean Breeze, Greeley Avenue, and Graham Boulevard, and the restaurant area.
RELATED:
