In fall the trees that were so bright, bushy, and blooming back in spring start dying.
The leaves dwindle from their vibrant greens to oranges, yellows, and reds that stun New Yorkers all throughout this city all season long.
Why are the trees so pretty while their leaves are preparing to wither and fall off in preparation for winter? In the Odyssey, Homer proclaims that, "Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed."
We're normally not so inclined to invoke such melodrama, but this is definitely the case with dying, falling leaves. They're most brilliant right before death.
Where can you trek this autumn to take in these stunning, vibrant trees? We've compiled a list of New York City's most exquisite sights for beholding fall foliage.
But wait, there's more.
Check out this map of foliage in New York State to find out when colorful foliage conditions in New York City will be at their most gorgeous. Then, plant to visit the following wooded NYC parks accordingly.
1. Queens County Farm Museum (73-50 Little Neck Parkway - Queens)
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The Queens County Farm Museum dates back to 1697 and rests upon NYC's largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland.
Its 47-acres are not only spattered with trees from the longest continuously farmed site in New York State, but also historic farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, livestock, an orchard, and herb garden.
Their fall events include the 33rd Annual Queens County Fair on September 19th and 20th, sheep shearing on October 4th, pumpkin patch picking from October 3rd through the 25th, and a Halloween Haunted House on October 24th and 25th.
They'll also present "The Amazing Maize Maze"; their 3-acre corn labyrinth, on weekends from September 19th through October 25th. Everyone knows the most delightful way to enjoy fall views is to lose yourself in a corn maze, right?
2. Greenbelt Conservancy (700 Rockland Avenue - Staten Island)
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Need a change of pace from smelly subways, honking cabs and midtown stress? Check out the Greenbelt's oak and beech forests, wetlands, meadows, wildlife for remarkable views of the fall in season.
It's NYC's largest forest preserve, and undoubtedly one of the top-notch sites in NYC to gaze at changing fall leaves. Throughout The Greenbelt's gorgeous, 2,800-acre open-space park and extensive, 35-mile trail system, you'll have plenty of opportunity to glimpse all the trees your heart desires.
They offer group hikes and trail runs on Wednesdays, butterfly strolls and a Bat Bonanza night hike.
Climb their 260-foot hill for breathtaking, heightened views of their oak, tulip, red maple and sassafras trees.
3. New York Botanical Garden (2900 Southern Boulevard - Bronx)
The Thain Forest in the New York Botanical Garden is a 250-acre woodland area, and the city's largest patch of old-growth forest. Some of the trees growing in the Thain Forest have been flourishing since the 19th century.
The NYBG's fall events include their Native Plants Summit on September 18th, Edible Academy Family Garden Picnic on September 27th, and Giant Pumpkin Carving with Ray Villafane on October 24th and 25th.
They've also got the dopest fall foliage for miles. You can even check out the progression of their leaves' coloring with their fall foliage tracker. They've got maples, oaks, beeches, and many other species.
They've also got Fall Forest Weekends on November 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th, which include immersion in the trees' stunning colors with canoe trips down the Bronx River, bird spotting, tree climbing demonstrations, and guided tours.
4. Central Park
The Central Park Conservancy has made seeking out stunning seasonal views in Central Park so much easier with their Fall Foliage Map. They asked their most experienced staff to map our their favorite Central Park spots for fall foliage, and their answers ranged from the reservoir to the the pond.
The Reservoir's Kwanzan Cherry Trees morph to a bronze, red hue once October edges into November, and their Yoshino Cherry yellow leaves sharply contrast their dark barks.
The Pond's Black Cherry Trees, Sawtooth Oaks, Gray Birch, and Tupelo Trees are all notably gorgeous in the fall.
Central Park's Great Hill on the West Side from 103rd to 107th Streets has got to take the cake on this one, though, as its open hilltop meadow offers picnic tables, a three-quarter mile soft surface path, and a lawn from which to gaze down and take in all the Park's beautiful dying leaves.
Central Park's fall events include garden and forest tours, hikes, and an Art of the Park tour. Check out the full calendar of events here.
,5. Wave Hill (West 249th Street and Independence Avenue - Bronx)
Wave Hill is a 28-acre public garden and cultural center in the Bronx. It overlooks the Hudson River and Palisades, and is a phenomenal sight for artistry, and majestic autumnal landscapes.
At Wave Hill, they're dedicated to forging human connections with the natural world through programs in horticulture, education, and the arts.
So grab someone you want to connect with, and get yourselves there to gander at all the brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds of the leaves.
Wave Hill will be presenting a Fall Foliage Walk on October 31st at 2 p.m. Participants will meet at the Perkins Visitor Center and take in the breathtaking leaves at their seasonal peak, with Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day as guide.
6. Washington Square Park
jhowens614 I've missed NYU like crazy today! Wishing all my friends there an amazing beginning to the semester (and hopefully I'll see ya in a couple months)! 😊
Local Ecologist put together a self-guided fall foliage tree tour of Washington Square Park last year, and we believe its genius will still hold true for dazzling views this fall.
At Washington Square Park, its roots stretching deep into the ground grows a 300-year-old English elm at the northwest corner of the park. It's also got a plethora of London plane trees, the most common street tree in NYC.
Quick trivia factoid: their likeness is used for the NYC Parks logo.
They've also got swamp white oaks, swamp chestnut oaks, mulberry trees, American sycamores and a Ginkgo tree.
For radiant fall views, grab a book, some coffee, and maybe a friend. Park yourself on one of the park's benches and spend the whole day whiling away and gazing at the trees.
7. Brooklyn Botanic Garden (990 Washington Avenue - Brooklyn)
brooklynbotanic From last week: Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' (Japanese cutleaf maple) in BBG's Japanese Garden. #autumn #brooklyn #japanesegarden #maple #latergram
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden connects people to the world of plants, and they're a little more than amazing at showing their appreciation for others' love and curiosity for the environment.
They've got 52-acres of gardens and over 10,000 taxa of plants. They've also got an abundance of gorgeous, fall-colored trees for your delightful gazing.
They've got Beech trees in their Bluebell Wood and Native Flora Garden, willows along the brook near the Monocot Border that turn bright or golden yellow. Their sugar maple leaves also turn yellow until early November, when their red emerges.
The northern end of the Native Flora Garden offers the best views of metamorphosing sugar maples.
Their fall events include nature and birding walks, "Houseplants 101: How Not to Kill Your Houseplant," and other tours and talks. So go see the trees, will ya?
Check out 13 Things You Absolutely Need to Do This Autumn in NYC.
[via Behance]