fall foliage in central park

NYC Fall Foliage   

Central Park is beautiful in all seasons (see my favorites here) but Fall is a rainbow of colors that kicks off the NYC holiday season.  September & October are still reasonably green in the park, but once November hits, the colors begin to change into their vibrant shades.  The peak foliage depends on the year's weather conditions but mid-November is pretty darn perfect.  The more vibrant photos below were taken early November and the more subdued were taken the first week of December 2020.

I always start on the southeast tip of the park, since the area and train station are closest to my apartment (5th Ave stop).  Even better than proximity, this section of Central Park is one of my favorites.  The view of The Plaza and the NYC skyline over The Pond is stunning.  Wander over & under the Gapstow Bridge to explore every angle.  

Venture over to the Hallett Nature Sanctuary.  It's a hidden gem but keep an eye out for the friendly squirrels.  And by friendly, I mean, squirrels following you all over the sanctuary. You may end up running out with a scurry of squirrels chasing after you.  It's all part of the adventure.

Follow the paths around the park as every area offers a great view and an escape from the city.  During the Fall, I always head in the direction of the prettiest tree.  If I see an orange or yellow tree out of the corner of my eye, I turn and head in that direction. 

Sheep Meadow is particularly impressive in the Fall because the lawn is still vibrant green but the trees are all Autumn.   If you're in the area around dusk, the magic hour is incredible with the glowing city skyline in the distance.  

Another beloved area of Central Park, is Bethesda Fountain.  The fountain itself is lovely, but the surrounding area is perfectly Fall.  Delve into the details of Bethesda Terrace and view the Loeb Boathouse across The Lake.  

On my December exploration, I spent a lot of time in the Bow Bridge and Wagner Cove area of the park.  I love the up close view of Bow Bridge but it's romantic and eternal from the other side of Wagner Cove.  So pretty!  Equally stunning is the view of the Upper West Side from Bow Bridge.  Incredible architecture, brilliant foliage,  flora and fauna at it's best.

 

After all that walking, you deserve a quiet seat in nature.  Thanks to smaller crowds this time of year, you're sure to score a beautiful spot to rest your feet.