Pier 40

    

    Pier 40, one of my personal favorite spots to play soccer in New York City, is located right alongside the Westside Highway near soho. It literally sits on the Hudson River and you can hear the waves crash against the pier at the far end sometimes. You can take the 1 train to Houston Street or the A, C, E to West 4th Street and then walk several blocks west until you reach the West Side Highway. The pier is open to the public and free to use all days and times of the week. It is open from 7am to 12am daily.

    During the afternoon and evening there are pickup games and the competition is usually some of the best in the city. Pier 40 can be enjoyed throughout the year but my favorite time to go is during the summer since this usually brings the most players and competition. College players or even international players usually visit here during the summer while they are home or on vacation. There are some travel soccer clubs that play here during their season which might mean sometimes the fields are reserved depending on the time you come. For the most part there is at least one open field to play or train since the whole complex is large. 

    There is also a beautiful upstairs field right above this field, attached to the same complex. Taking the stairs up by the entrance all the way to the top will lead you to this turf field. The best time to play on this field is during the late afternoon around sunset. This will give you amazing views of the New York skyline along with river views and views of Uptown and Hoboken. Playing the beautiful game with some of the most beautiful views the city has to offer, does it get better than that? Quite simply, no. 


 

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