Running between Audubon and Amsterdam Avenues in Washington Heights, this block-long pedestrian plaza is managed by Yeshiva University. [Image via Google Maps]

Named for 19th century NYC architect James Bogardus, this space functions as both a plaza and a garden. Bounded by Reade, Hudson, and Chambers Streets, and West Broadway, it started as a temporary plaza when the Chambers Street reconstruction project began. Local officials decided make it permanent, and in 2013 it was accepted into the DOT's Plaza Program. It's maintained by Friends of Bogardus Garden. A revamp of the site is in the works with groundbreaking slated for 2016. [Image via Google Maps]

This stretch of car-free space along the east side of Broadway runs from 35th Street to 41st Street, and is dotted with tables and chairs, as well as a nearly constant string of public art installations. It is managed by the Garment District Alliance. [Image via Google Maps]

Initiated in 2008, this oft-crowded bunch of spaces runs along Broadway and Fifth Avenue from just south of the Flatiron Building (22nd Street) to 24th Street. The space hosts plenty of fun events and attractions, the best of which may be the seasonal Madison Square Eats. It is managed by the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership. [Image via Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership]

This series of pedestrian areas runs from Gansevoort Street up Ninth Avenue to 14th Street, where it meets Chelsea Plaza. It was created in 2008 to calm traffic in the area. But a reconstruction project that will close the plaza is expected to take two years. It is managed by the Meatpacking District Improvement Association. [Image via Meatpacking District Improvement Association]

Herald Square is bounded by 33rd Street, Sixth Avenue, 35th Street, and Broadway. The pedestrian plaza there is perennially mobbed with people, and often plays hosts to events and even classes. It is maintained by the 34th Street Partnership. [Image via 34th Street Partnership]

This public space opened in 1978 as a tribute to sculptor Louise Nevelson, whose piece Shadows and Flags is a featured element. The plaza was groundbreaking in that it was the first space dedicated not just to an artist, but to a woman. It is bounded by Maiden Lane, William Street, and Liberty Street, and is maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. [Image via paula soler-moya/Flickr]

This brand new public plaza near Penn Station is actually something of an experiment. Developed by Vornado and designed by W Architecture and Landscape Architecture, it's designed to make the experience of being near the beleaguered train station less awful, with plenty of greenery and sculptures by Keith Haring and Roy Lichtenstein. It's located on 33rd Street between Seventh Avenue and the Madison Square Garden loading dock. [Image via Untapped]

This is the Mack Daddy of all the city's pedestrian plazas: It interrupts Broadway all the way from 42nd Street to 47th Street, replacing the clogged artery with tables, chairs, and open space. Its history dates back to 2009, when Mayor Michael Bloomberg first implemented a pilot program to remove cars from the space; it was made permanent not long after, with a design by Snøhetta. It's now the epicenter of controversy over the presence of painted topless women, known as "desnudas," which a select few see as a sign that Times Square is headed back to its bad old days. The Times Square pedestrian plazas are maintained by the Times Square Alliance. [Image via Times Square Alliance]

This 27,000-square-foot plaza, located near the massive City Point development, features the standard goings-on—Wi-Fi, food vendors, plenty of seating, even a farmer's market. It might also end up getting a miniature golf course. (Fun!) It's managed by the Fulton Mall Improvement Association. [Image via Downtown Brooklyn Partnership]

This pedestrian plaza located at the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge is a bit sparse when compared to the others on this list, with little more than benches available for passers-by. It is maintained by the DOT. [Image via Google Maps]

This pedestrian-friendly space is an expansion of an existing triangle, created by interrupting South Elliott Place. It opened in 2012 and is maintained by the Fulton Area Business Alliance. [Image via Google Maps]

More of a walkway than a traditional plaza, this space beneath the Manhattan Bridge allows pedestrians to cross through Dumbo under one of the structure's anchorages. It opened in 2008 and has played host to all manner of events, including live music performances and art installations. It is maintained by the Dumbo Improvement District. [Image via stevenj/Flickr]

This is yet another expansion of an existing triangle. This East New York plaza opened in 2011 and interrupted Ashford Street to create a safer space below the elevated subway tracks. It is managed by the New Lots Avenue Triangle Merchants Association. [Image via Google Maps]

This small plaza may not be as popular as the Manhattan Bridge Archway nearby, but it's a lovely little spot, with plenty of chairs and tables (and umbrellas), plus food trucks. The former parking lot is maintained by the DUMBO Improvement District. [Image via Google Maps]

Located in Downtown Brooklyn, Willoughby Plaza is perhaps most notable for being right next to Shake Shack and Hill Country Chicken—so don't be surprised if you see people chowing down on burgers at the small tables throughout the space. It started as a pilot project in 2006 and work to make it permanent began in 2011. It is maintained by the MetroTech Business Improvement District.

This plaza in Jackson Heights opened in 2011 and is also known as "Diversity Plaza." It interrupts some of 37th Road and a connecting section of 73rd Street. While some business owners were less than happy about the plaza, for others, it began to grow on them. It is maintained by the DOT.

Located in Bronx's Little Italy, this plaza made better use of a space at the intersection of Belmont Avenue, East 186th Street, and Crescent Avenue. It is maintained by the Belmont Business Improvement District. [Image via Google Maps]