New Yorkers will agree that fall is one of the most beautiful seasons in the city. Coming off the heels of a hot and busy summer, fall in New York brings cooler temperatures, fewer tourists, and of course, fall foliage. Although New York is a concrete jungle, there are over 5 million trees that color the city in beautiful shades of yellow and orange.
We’re sharing the best places to catch fall foliage in New York City across each borough.
When to See Fall Foliage in New York City?
Before we get started, let’s talk about the best time to go leaf peeping in New York City. It can be hard to predict but leaves begin to turn around early/mid-October and hit peak around the end of October/beginning of November.
Manhattan
- Central Park: Queue every song about autumn in New York, a walk through Central Park will give you all of the feels. If you’re able to, try to get there early in the morning when there are few people. Don’t miss a walk through the tree-lined Mall, Belvedere Castle, Bow Bridge/Ramble, and Gastapow Bridge.
- Fort Tryon Park: Located in the northern-most part of Manhattan, this 67-acre park has a prime view overlooking the Hudson River. Check out Linden Terrace, which is one of the highest points in Manhattan! Also tucked right into the park is the Met Cloisters Museum, housing a collection of medieval art.
- West Side Highway: Don’t overlook a walk or bike ride along the West Side Highway, which is lined with trees on one side and the Hudson River on the other. It’s a beautiful way to spend a sunny afternoon with some friends.
Brooklyn
- Prospect Park: This is Central Park’s quieter but equally impressive counterpart with fields, meadow, lakes, and a forest. A walk from the Peninsula to Lookout Hill will show the first signs of foliage and bring you to the highest point in the park.
- Park Slope: Is there anything more dreamy than rows of brownstone homes under yellow and orange autumn trees? Take a walk through the historic Park Slope neighborhood to admire the beautiful homes, stoops, and of course, trees!
- Owl’s Head Park: This waterfront park looks over lower Manhattan, including the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center. It also has a great lookout over the Verrazano Bridge.
POSTS YOU MAY LIKE: 5 Best Art Museums in New York
Queens
- Alley Pond Park: A visit here is worth it just to see the Queens Giant, which is the tallest tree in NYC but you’ll certainly enjoy the nearly 700 acres of hiking trails, forest, and wetlands.
Bronx
View this post on Instagram
- New York Botanic Gardens: Covering 250 acres of land, this feels like a trip far, far away from the busy city. Visit the 50-acre Thaim Family Forest, which is the largest preserved section of the city’s original woodland.
- Van Cortlandt Park: Coming in at over 1,000 acres, this is the city’s third largest park. You can spend an entire day getting lost in the fields, paths, and trails. Check out the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail or the Croton Reservoir for some beautiful foliage views.
Staten Island
View this post on Instagram
- Clove Lakes Park: This 200-acre park is home to three lakes and lots of trails and forests. It’s great for running, birding, hiking, or a relaxing picnic. (Here’s a guide covering the birds you can see at Clove Lakes Park).
- Snug Harbor Garden: A visit here will offer you an interesting mix of gardens, galleries, and historic buildings. During the fall, they offer fall foliage tours and walk visitors through the gardens highlighting the beautiful trees.
- Greenbelt Nature Center: Who said there was no hiking in New York City? At the Greenbelt Nature Center, there are 35 miles of woodland trails that hikers of any level will enjoy.
As you can see, there are so many opportunities to catch the beautiful New England changing leaves right here in New York City.
Are there any places you love that you would add to this list? Let us know!
One comment