The warmer months of the year equate to more time outside, which means becoming immersed in the beauty of nature. One of the best ways to soak up the sun, breathe in fresh air, and observe nature is to venture to a park. Parks provide a variety of recreational activities for community members and tourists to enjoy. From hiking trails and wide green space for picnics, to museums and farmers markets, here are some parks to check out while traveling this summer

Griffith Park (Los Angeles, California)

Thrillist calls Griffith Park “the Central Park of L.A.” Although it’s more rugged than the New York Park, Griffith Park is just as versatile. Some of L.A.’s most famed institutions reside within the park, including Griffith Observatory, for those who love beautiful views and all things astronomy, and the Greek Theater, which is a common stop for touring artists. The Los Angeles Zoo and Autry Museum of the American West are also located within the park. If you want to explore the nature of the park, though, there are 53 miles of trails to hike.

Falls Park (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

Falls Park is one of the must-see attractions in Sioux Falls, The 128-acre park is located north of downtown and sits along the Big Sioux River. According to Sioux Falls’ tourism website, an average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the course of per second, making for a stunning view. Enjoy the serene sight from the park’s five-story observation tower, visit the Falls Park Farmers Market, or bike on the Big Sioux River Recreation trail and Greenway.

Piedmont Park (Atlanta, Georgia)

Atlanta’s metro area has multiple green spaces to choose from, but Piedmont Park is a standout. Coming in at 180 acres, visitors can enjoy a picnic at the Meadow or catch a gorgeous view of ATL from Lake Clara Meer. There are also gems sprinkled throughout the park, including a green market, dog park, and Atlanta’s botanical garden.

The Gathering Place (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

Self-described as “a park for all,” The Gathering Place embraces the diversity of the Tulsa community and champions equality. The park features unique attractions including giant blue herons that visitors can slide down and life-size blades of grass. Picnic Grove is also the perfect place for, well, a picnic and if you want to get out on the water, there’s a pond ideal for canoeing.

Forest Park (St. Louis, Missouri)

This 143-year-old park spans a hefty 1,300 acres and is located in the center of St. Louis’ metropolitan area. The park has the perfect balance of green space to enjoy outdoor activities, as well as various recreation options, most of which are free. St. Louis’ art museum and zoo are both housed in Forest Park, as well as The Muny, an outdoor theater. Arguably one of the best spots in the park is Art Hill, located outside of the St. Louis Art Museum.

Roshae Hemmings is an arts and culture magazine journalist from St. Louis, MO. A graduate from the Missouri School of Journalism, Roshae has bylines in the Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazineand 5280 Magazinediscussing topics ranging from pop culture, social justice and eat and drink. She is a foodie at heart and enjoys eating food as much as learning about the story behind it. When she’s not working on a story, Roshae enjoys cooking, watching and analyzing reality TV, and spending time with family and friends.

This story was originally published April 20, 2023 11:10 AM.