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If you ask any New Yorker, Tourist, or Hotel Receptionist where to see the best fall colors in New York, nine times out of 10 you will be directed to Central Park – and they’re not wrong (check our guide to fall in Central Park)! 

Central Park, being the biggest city park in the world, is hands down the best place to see fall colors in the city. All located within one easy-to-navigate space, the park is perfect for tourists looking for the best in fall foliage on a quick visit to the city.

However, if you’ve got time to kill, you visit the city regularly or you’re a resident looking for a change, some of the best places in the Big Apple to catch the fall colors are a little harder to find than Central Park or the Upper West Side.

If you have a map and a few hours to spare, finding the lesser-known fall locations in the city is extremely rewarding – but where should you start?

Heather Gardens

Heather Gardens is in Fort Tyron Park and is home to one of the highest points in Manhattan – Liden Terrace - offering you panoramic views of the fall colors for as far as the eye can see. For the best views, head to Liden Terrace and check out the view over the river and towards the foliage-covered cliffs.

Van Cortlandt Park

Hiking is a great way to see fall foliage – and fear not, New York has hiking too. Just outside of Manhattan in the Bronx, you can find Van Cortlandt Park, offering seven different hikes and a large lake to explore. Each trail offers its own views around the park, but the lake shoreline is one of the most beautiful views of the range of colors on display.

Sunken Meadow State Park

Located a short 50 miles outside of the city, the Sunken Meadow State Park is worth the visit for anyone wanting to see the best in fall colors. With views of Long Island and Connecticut, you can experience the fall foliage in the heart of the forest or along the diverse coastlines – while disconnecting from the city for a day.

Thain Family Forest

The New York Botanical Garden is impressive all year round – but fall really brings the gardens to life. To experience the best of fall foliage, visit the Thain Family Forest inside the Botanical Park – a 250-acre woodland that is the city’s largest patch of old-growth forest. There are a huge variety of trees in the forest, meaning you can experience the full range of fall colors all within a short subway ride of the Hotel Beacon.

If you’re visiting New York to see the fall colors this October and November, the Hotel Beacon is located just steps from Central Park and many other popular fall foliage locations.