Best Fall Walks in NYC

Fall is the perfect time of year to visit New York. New Yorkers themselves will tell you it’s one of their favorite seasons as the heat of summer dissolves into the cooler weather. There’s still plenty of sweet sunshine to walk under as you listen to the crunch of leaves beneath your feet.

We’ve created a small guide of some of the best autumn walks in New York to get your blood flowing and your feet moving in one of the world’s most magnetic cities that becomes even more dazzling in shades of fall.

While Central Park might seem an obvious choice for a fall walk, we recommend checking out the southern portion of the park for its leafy trees. Linger over the colors in the reflections of the pond. Gapstow Bridge also offers beautiful views of the buildings that frame the park. Meander the trails of the park as long as you’d like, exploring one of the world’s largest urban parks.

This Staten Island Park is well known for its tranquil lakes and lagoons that reflect the park’s outstanding foliage. Hiking through the trails at Clove Lakes is an ideal way to see some of autumn’s best colors. There is also canoeing on the lake for different views, and park tours to learn more about the science behind the changing of the colors.

This waterfront park offers striking views of the city and the East River. The bridge itself is a classic New York scene familiar from movies. Catch the changing colors while picnicking on the greens beneath the bridge or meander the lengthy trail to feel the juxtaposition of the city with nature.

Another sweet spot is the Max Family Garden, a triangular shaped garden with winding paths and a variety of flora framed by the walls of a historic 19th-century tobacco warehouse.

The Brooklyn Heights Promenade is a great spot with its birds eye view of the city and ample space to enjoy the serene setting. To get there take the scenic route with the New York City Ferry. The East River boat lets you off at PIer 1.

Thain Family Forest is the largest uncut wooded land in New York City, and it offers unparalleled colors in September and October each year. In the historic forest you’ll see original Native American hunting trails with trees dating back to the 18th century. It is one of the most pristine and untouched areas in New York. It is also the site of the New York Botanical Garden, founded in 1895.

This park on the Upper East Side offers a tranquil getaway from some of the city’s noise. With the East River right at the parks’ edge, it is a perfect place to relax. The park is also resplendent with leafy trees and colorful flowers and shrubs best viewed from its elegant esplanade. From the West you can see the Gracie Mansion, which was used as the official residence of the NYC Mayor since 1942.

The beautiful walk-up apartments, dainty boutiques and glittering restaurants along these tree-lined neighborhood streets are unparalleled in their quintessential New York-ness. Walking the streets of Greenwich Village as the trees change color gives new light to the historic buildings. Step back in time and walk to nearby Washington Mews, where cobblestone streets remain from the days when the road housed horse stables.

To be fair, you can’t really go wrong walking New York’s parks and historic neighborhoods. Each corner holds its own delights and autumn is the perfect time to explore. Grab a map and get going!

The Lombardy Hotel’s timeless elegance is iconic to Midtown Manhattan. Not only are our rooms spacious, comfortable and thoughtfully designed, we also provide additional amenities to make you feel at home. We look forward to hosting you on your next visit to New York City.