Activities for Kids

True Colors: NYC’s Top Spots for Fall Foliage

You don't have to head north to see stunning leaf displays. Head here to be wowed by the season in the city!

By Cheryl de Jong-Lambert October 4, 2017

While we’ve certainly experienced some steamy days this fall, it is October, which means the leaves on area trees will soon start to turn. (The Old Farmer’s Almanac, predicts an especially vivid show this year, with NYC enjoying peak colors through the end of October. For up-to-date status of things, check out New York State’s fall foliage report.) A trip out of town is nice, but you don’t have to leave the city to see incredible color. Click through to find spots for gorgeous vistas, unique vantage points and full-on autumn splendor.

Central Park

You can pretty much enter the city's most famous park anywhere and eventually come across some stunning leaf action. However, top spots include The Pond at Central Park South between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, with yellows and reds of Black Cherry trees, yellow and golden brown of Saw Tooth Oaks, yellows from Grey Birches, and orange and scarlet of Tupelos; The Mall, with the stunning yellow American Elm Canopy from 66th Street to 72nd Street, and The Reservoir from 85th Street to 96th Street, which features bronze and red foliage from Kwanzan Cherry trees on the west side, and yellow leaves set against the dark bark of Yoshino cherry trees on the East. The Park's Rambles, at 74th and 77th Streets mid-park are a jackpot of reds, yellows, browns, purples and more, thanks to varieties of Maples, Oaks, Tupelos, Sweet Gum and Cherry Trees.

photo: Anthony Quintano via Flickr