Keep this in mind for that next sunny summer morning, when the fresh air inspires an adventurous romp through the woods. Without leaving the five boroughs and while still avoiding the crowds, the best place to embrace the verdant landscapes is Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, a 35 minute ride from midtown to the last stop on the #1 train at 242nd street.
Home to the Riverdale Equestrian Centre, the occasional lively cricket game, Van Cortlandt Municipal Golf Course, a historic mansion, and the Croton Aqueduct, the fourth largest park in New York City has a variety of peaceful trails worth exploring during the height of the fall foliage season. John Muir and Cass Gallagher Nature Trails are two such options for leisure hikes.
The Cass trail is 1.4 miles in length and moderate in difficulty. In mid-October, the route is yellow and crimson-colored and lined with century old oaks. Walking through a portion of the park’s 1,000 acres, one soon discovers how easy it is to be alone in a Frost-like solitude–except perhaps, for the distant hum of the Henry Hudson Parkway. (To access Cass, go a short walk in from the intersection of Broadway and Mosholu Avenue, near the horse stables.)
A popular path among runners, the 1.5 mile John Muir trail is dense with 100-foot trees and follows the Van Cortlandt’s only east-west course across steeper terrain and wetlands. Observant trailblazers will tend to spot frogs, salamanders, and songbirds. (To access Muir, enter either at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue or Van Cortlandt Park East and Oneida Avenue.)
How to get there: Take the 1 train to 242nd Street Station, and proceed north along the east side of Broadway, until you reach 246th Street and turn right onto a wide path. You’ll see the park’s House Museum built in 1748 where George Washington once slept – open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
Header photo: Steven Pisano
Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish and laughably adequate in French. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow. She firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom, on the road, around the world. She never misses a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. Follow Allison at @gourmetrav.
Oh this sounds wonderful! This sounds like a prime place to have a picnik! Brilliantly written, and an lovely idea.
I haven’t been up to beautiful Van Cortland Park since the days many years ago when I used to race there with the NYC Road Runners Club. Your article has inspired me to go back with the kids!! Why schlep the family all the way to New Hampshire or Vermont every year to admire the fall foliage when there’s such a lovely and beautiful place to do just that right here in the City… Thanks for the reminder!
35 minutes is that all – I can grab the latest TimeOut and read it on the way up – Thanks for this.