Where to See Fall Foliage in the City
It’s hard to resist the charm of New York in the fall. After sweating it out in the city’s summer sun, both residents and visitors are eager to dive into sweater-season with their pumpkin lattes in hand. To make the most of October’s perfectly crisp weather, adventure on a walking tour of the city’s most attractive fall foliage. Whether you love seeing the fall colors or exploring the city during this seasonal transition, here’s a roundup of the best leaf-peeping spots in town.
Central Park
Channel your favorite scene from When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, or any other romantic comedy set in New York during the fall and take a stroll through the city’s most beloved park during its most photogenic season. Take just a ten-minute walk from WestHouse to arrive at the Hallett Nature Sanctuary and Pond by the park’s south entrance, and gaze at the sanctuary’s colorful variety of trees including black cherry, ginkgo, gray birch, pin oak and tupelo trees. Use Central Park’s helpful Fall Foliage Map to guide your stroll, or sign-up for an official tour of the park’s North Woods. Regardless of your plans, make sure to take your phone or DSLR camera along in order to capture the breathtaking natural beauty of the park.
Irving Place to Gramercy Park
To see another oasis of fall foliage within the city, take a 25-minute cab ride from WestHouse down to Irving Place, a six-block stretch of historic architecture between 14th and 20th streets. Walk past the picturesque buildings and their charming tree-lined streets before arriving at the stunning Gramercy Park on 20th street.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Nature lovers may want to head across the Brooklyn Bridge to take advantage of the season’s changing colors at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. After just a 30-minute subway ride from WestHouse, visitors of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden can see the oldest tree in the park, the katsura tree, and its changing leaves that transition from yellow to orange, and then from pink to red during this time of year. Other fall favorites at the garden are outlined in their fall highlights guide.
Thain Family Forest
To see New York’s foliage on a large scale, venture uptown and get lost in the lush and uncut wilderness of the Thain Family Forest within The New York Botanical Garden. While the trip to the forest will take you 50 minutes via subway or 45 minutes via cab from WestHouse, the area’s unrivaled beauty and history will undoubtedly make the visit one you and your friends will never forget.