Palisades Scenic Byway in New York is a scenic drive that connects the nation’s most populous city, New York City, to nature. The opportunity for visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty of the byway was the primary motivation for the Parkway’s development and design, as a part of the historic New York State Parkway system. The journey along the byway includes views of the New York City skyline, the Hudson River, the Hackensack River, and more. no other American byway has such a proximal relationship to a large population center, such as New York City, and a magnificent scenic destination.

Federal Highway Administration, America’s Byways
Length
38.25 mi / 61.6 km
Fees
None

We publish 17 places that sit on this road, across 2 states, listed in the order you meet them. This is not a route and not a drive time — it is the names, so you can put them into whatever navigation you already use.

Of those, 1 is a roadside oddity — the sort of thing you would drive past without knowing it was there.

“Off” is a straight line from the place to the road, rounded. It is not a driving distance, and the road itself is a simplified centre line, so treat a mile or two as noise.

The New Jersey stretch

  1. New York CityNY10 miles off

    In our guide: 12 historic sites · 2 animal attractions

  2. Pepsi-Cola SignNY7 miles offRoadside oddity

    Landmark 1936 red neon sign on the East River

  3. Empire State Building (observation decks)NY7 miles offHistoric site

    The Empire State Building has observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors; every deck ticket includes nine galleries of exhibits on the way up, among them a King Kong scene where the ape's hands break through the wall of a 1930s office.

    Hours
    HOURS OF OPERATION Open Today 9 A.M. – 10 P.M.
    Admission
    86th Floor Observation Deck Buy Tickets from $46
    Run by
    Empire State Building (operator site esbnyc.com)

  4. Chinatown, ManhattanNY7 miles offHistoric site

    Chinatown, where street signs have shown both English and Chinese names since the 1960s; its business improvement district holds annual street events, such as a Halloween Trick-or-Streets celebration.

    Run by
    Chinatown Business Improvement District (Chinatown District Management Association), with Chinatown Partnership LDC

  5. Lower East Side, ManhattanNY7 miles offHistoric site

    The Lower East Side is a neighbourhood with a long merchant history; its business improvement district covers over 70 blocks and runs programmes at the Essex Market.

    Run by
    Lower East Side Partnership (Business Improvement District)

  6. Brooklyn Bridge ParkNY9 miles offHistoric site

    An 85-acre waterfront park in Brooklyn with hills, riverfront promenades and gardens, open daily 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.; it has playgrounds (adults only with a child) and a seasonal ice rink, Roebling Rink, open November to February.

    Hours
    Brooklyn Bridge Park is open 6am – 1am every day, but select areas have limited hours:
    Season
    Pier 6 Water Lab: Memorial Day–September: Sunrise–Sunset (weather dependent)
    Run by
    Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation (rules page), with Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy

  7. Central Park ZooNY6 miles offAnimals

    Date-specific ticket required for non-members; WCS-operated; includes Tisch Children's Zoo

    Hours
    10am-5pm weekdays, to 5:30pm weekends (Apr-Oct); 10am-4:30pm daily (Nov-Mar)
    Adult
    22.95
    Child
    $16.95 ages 3-12; under 3 free
    Season
    year-round (shorter winter hours)
    Parking
    no on-site parking (nearby garages)

  8. Queens ZooNY10 miles offAnimals

    Date-specific ticket required for non-members; WCS-operated; in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

    Hours
    10am-5pm weekdays, to 5:30pm weekends (Apr-Oct); 10am-4:30pm daily (Nov-Mar)
    Adult
    10.95
    Child
    $7.95 ages 3-12; under 3 free
    Season
    year-round (shorter winter hours)
    Parking
    no on-site parking (street/public lots)

  9. Governors Ball Music FestivalNY10 miles offAnnual event

    music festival at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

    When
    June
    Since
    2011
    Runs for
    more than one day

  10. Bronx ZooNY4 miles offAnimals

    Date-specific ticket required for non-members; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, MLK Day; WCS-operated

    Hours
    10am-5pm weekdays, to 5:30pm weekends (Apr-Oct); 10am-4:30pm daily (Nov-Mar)
    Adult
    28.95
    Child
    from $20.95 ages 3-12 (varies by date); under 3 free
    Season
    year-round (winter hours Nov-Mar; some attractions close in winter)
    Parking
    fee ($22 car)

  11. Legoland Discovery Center WestchesterNY3 miles offFun park

    Indoor attraction at Ridge Hill. URL updated to new legodiscoverycenter.com domain by pattern; page itself could not be loaded.

  12. SEA LIFE New Jersey AquariumNJ6 miles offAnimals

    Inside American Dream mall

    Hours
    10am-6:30pm (as shown for one day)
    Child
    varies (online discounts)

  13. DreamWorks Water ParkNJ6 miles offFun park

    Indoor water park in the American Dream complex; year-round.

  14. Bergen County ZooNJ6 miles offAnimals

    In Van Saun County Park; budgie exhibit closed

    Hours
    10am-4:30pm daily; last entry 4pm
    Adult
    8
    Child
    $5 out-of-county / $2 Bergen resident (3-14); under 3 free
    Season
    year-round (admission charged May-Oct per Wikipedia)

The New York stretch

  1. Sleepy HollowNY6 miles off

    No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.

  2. Bear Mountain State ParkNY1 mile off

    No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.

  3. West PointNY2 miles off

    No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.