Whenever you consider New York Metropolis, it’s straightforward to think about all of the makings of a concrete jungle — towering skyscrapers rather than mountain peaks and extra mild air pollution than starlight. However amid the hustle and bustle, the town’s parks and inexperienced areas provide an opportunity to get pleasure from nature with out leaving the 5 boroughs.
Hike on forested trails or previous coastal wetlands. Spot various wildlife (sure, greater than pigeons and rodents). Or picnic by a babbling stream. And the most effective half? These pockets of out of doors bliss are all accessible by way of public transportation.
1. Inwood Hill Park (Manhattan)
Simply off the A Prepare in Uptown, Inwood Hill Park preserves the one remaining pure forest and salt marsh in Manhattan. This 196-acre inexperienced area on the financial institution of the Hudson River provides a number of trails for high quality forest bathing.
Hike amongst purple and black oak timber, softwood pines, and wild birch on the 1.3-mile Orange Path. Alongside the best way, you’ll move proof of New York’s pure and cultural historical past, together with glacial potholes and rock formations that offered shelter for the Lenape individuals for 1000’s of years. Search for barred owls, red-tailed hawks, and different woodland birds.
On the west facet, wander the financial institution of the Hudson River and revel in views of the New Jersey Palisades. Cease by Dyckman Pier for an opportunity to identify bald eagles, which had been reintroduced to the world in 2001, greater than 110 years after the species deserted the final recognized nest within the metropolis.
Or head to the northernmost finish of the island to discover the Inwood Salt Marsh. Right here, mummichogs (small minnow-like fish), mussels, snails, crabs, and waterfowl thrive within the brackish waters — the final of their form within the space.
- Size: 2 miles
- Problem: Straightforward
- Restrooms: Sure
- Canine friendliness: Canines allowed on leash
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
2. Pelham Bay Park (The Bronx)
Take the 6 Prepare to the tip of the road within the Bronx to entry New York Metropolis’s largest inexperienced area — Pelham Bay Park. At 2,772 acres, this city park is the final word escape from the town. Discover seaside trails, forested loops, or wetlands alongside the banks of the Hutchinson River, which cuts by means of the center of the park.
Hike the 1.2-mile Kazimiroff Nature Path to be taught in regards to the ecosystems on Hunter Island by means of a self-guided, interpretive tour. The path runs by means of wetlands, alongside a rocky shore, and into the inside forest, the place two conifer groves shelter a number of species of owls.
After your hike, submit up at Orchard Seashore, proper close to the trailhead. This 1.1-mile crescent seaside is roofed in white sand — incomes it the nickname “The Riviera of New York Metropolis.”
Along with year-round mountaineering, the park hosts numerous outside packages in the course of the summer season and fall, together with occasions celebrating Native American heritage, environmental stewardship, Merengue and Bachata workshops, and film screenings.
- Size: 3.5 miles
- Problem: Straightforward
- Restrooms: Sure
- Parking: On-site (free parking at Orchard Seashore Lot)
- Canine friendliness: Canines allowed on leash
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
3. Hallett Nature Sanctuary (Manhattan)
Within the southeast nook of Central Park — greatest accessed by way of the 59th-Columbus Circle cease on the A, B, C, or 1 trains — you’ll discover a rustic gate that marks the doorway to the Hallett Nature Sanctuary. The smallest of three wooded nature preserves throughout the park, this 4-acre sanctuary was fenced off and just about untouched for greater than 80 years. In 2016, Hallett Nature Sanctuary opened to the general public after practically 15 years of restoration and path work.
As you enter this secret backyard within the metropolis, you’ll really feel a world away from the busyness of fifth Avenue on the opposite facet of the timber. Wander by means of a forest of native timber and shrubs. Benefit from the serenity of the pond, which surrounds the protect on three sides. Or spend a meditative second on one of many hand-crafted park benches designed to imitate the pure really feel of the sanctuary.
- Size: 1 mile
- Problem: Straightforward
- Restrooms: No
- Canine friendliness: No canine allowed
- Hours: 10 a.m. till sundown
4. Contemporary Creek Nature Protect (Brooklyn)
Trip the L Prepare to 1 cease shy of the tip of the road in Brooklyn. Right here, you’ll be inside strolling distance to Contemporary Creek Nature Protect. A part of a community of parks that abut the Jamaica Bay shoreline, the protect protects the estuary’s delicate ecosystems.
Stroll the mile-long path that parallels Louisiana Avenue to get pleasure from views of the 42-acre salt marsh, which helps greater than 325 species of native and migratory birds, numerous butterfly species, and various coastal vegetation. Don’t miss the overlook on the finish of the path, the place you possibly can see views of Contemporary Creek.
Have extra time to discover the world? The close by Gateway Nationwide Recreation Space provides much more entry to trails, plus kayak launches for exploring the bay.
- Size: 1 mile
- Problem: Straightforward
- Restrooms: No
- Parking: On-site, $5 per automotive
- Canine friendliness: No
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
5. Van Cortlandt Park (The Bronx)
For the best path selection in a single place, Van Cortlandt Park on the finish of the 1 Prepare is the best way to go. The 1,146-acre park has seven trails that lead hikers over ridges, by means of valleys and forests, previous wetlands, and to a scenic lake.
Discover three distinct forest ecosystems on the 2-mile John Muir Path. Spot sugar maples, purple oak, hickory, tulip timber, and extra. Whenever you move the marsh, pay attention for the sound of frogs that inhabit this a part of the park.
The paved Putnam Path cuts by means of the park, following the historic New York Central Railroad. Hike 1.4 miles by means of the Croton Woods and underneath the Mosholu overpass to entry Van Cortlandt Lake, the place anglers can fish for largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and extra.
- Size: 2-7 miles
- Problem: Straightforward to reasonable
- Restrooms: Sure
- Parking: On-site, free
- Canine friendliness: Canines allowed on leash
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
6. Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Hop on the Q Prepare to move to Prospect Park — probably the most beloved greenspaces in Brooklyn. Select from 4 mellow trails that showcase a few of the park’s most original options. The 0.75-mile Midwood Path loops by means of the oldest remaining forest in Brooklyn, the place you possibly can spot birds, wildlife, and a few of the largest timber within the park.
Or observe a self-guided audio tour alongside the Prospect Park Watercourse to be taught in regards to the park’s connection to the New York Metropolis water provide and see six waterfalls, together with Fallkill Falls, which reopened in 2023 after being closed to the general public because the Nineteen Nineties.
Along with trails, Prospect Park hosts quite a few outside actions, from mushroom foraging walks and operating golf equipment to comedy exhibits, dwell music, and cultural celebrations.
- Size: 1 mile
- Problem: Straightforward
- Restrooms: Sure
- Parking: On the streets (metered)
- Canine friendliness: Sure
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
7. Bonus: Chilly Spring (Outdoors the Metropolis)
Up for venturing exterior the town? About 1.5 hours north of Manhattan, Chilly Spring, New York, is a favourite day journey amongst metropolis dwellers due to its easy accessibility by way of the Metro-North Railroad. Take the Hudson Line from Grand Central Station on to city. Close to the practice station, catch the 7-mile loop, which connects the Undercliff, Brook, and Cornish trails.
Go to the historic West Level Foundry earlier than following the path into Hudson Highlands State Park Protect. Surrounded by mountains, this largely undeveloped 8,000-acre park has deciduous forest, rocky ridges, and estuarine ecosystems.
Hike beneath towering Bull Hill earlier than reaching an outcropping with gorgeous views of the Hudson River. In case you have extra time, keep within the space in a single day to discover the quaint city of Chilly Spring and hike extra of the park’s 70 miles of trails.
- Size: 7 miles
- Problem: Reasonable
- Restrooms: Sure
- Parking: Restricted trailhead lot and roadside
- Canine friendliness: Sure
- Hours: Dawn to sundown
This submit was sponsored by Fjällräven.
