You might not immediately think of New York City as a place to go into to take in the splendors of autumn. Many people think of a rush out of the city instead, taking trips to New England (and annoying the natives, as some shows out there have poked fun at).

But maybe you’re taking a small trip into the city and want to take a moment for some beautiful foliage. Well, New York does have places for that!

There’s always time for a walk in New York City, and they don’t always have to be at the breakneck pace you find on the main thoroughfares. Slowing down and savoring the crisp autumn air can serve both body and mind well.

So the next time you’re heading from the Spring Valley area to the city, your friendly podiatrist offers these potential walking spots.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Central Park

Of course Central Park would be on any list of autumn walking destinations, but that’s still a lot of ground to cover. Where specifically is a good spot in the park to take in the red and orange sights?

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is a splendid destination for early fall. There is a walking and running trail that circles it, providing lovely vistas of the park itself, the water, and the skyline from different angles. Of course the area would be named after a first lady synonymous with beautiful aesthetics.

Other Central Park spots you might want to check out include the North Woods, which is much more tree-centric, and the mums at the Conservatory Garden.

Fort Tryon Park

Washington Heights houses this park in the hills. It can be a more challenging walk than other parks, but the changing Elms and lookouts over the Hudson River make it well worth the effort.

Fort Tryon Park also contains the largest public garden in the city, the Heather Garden. Its seasonal plants are sure to complement the trees.

New York Botanical Gardens

Does anybody else ever feel like going to botanical gardens is kind of “cheating”? Like it’s more a journey to find parks and other areas with great foliage, and a botanical garden might as well have a big sign hanging over it saying, “GOOD TREES HERE”?

Regardless, the New York Botanical Gardens are indeed a worthy stop in autumn. The Thain Family Forest in particular contains the city’s largest old growth forest, including beautiful oaks and red maples.

Other great autumn trees to watch out for are scarlet oaks, whose leaves produce a particularly fiery orange and red, and sweet gums, whose leaves turn red and purple.

When you’re done there, you can head to the neighboring Bronx Zoo and see how the animals are prepping for winter.

Wave Hill

Wave Hill in The Bronx contains about 8 acres of woods to explore, but you can spot some excellent sights as soon as you arrive. A golden larch provides a prime viewing spot from its base, looking out through its leaves as the sunlight filters through them.

There is plenty more to see, however, and Kerlin Overlook is a great spot for viewing out over the New Jersey Palisades. The Abrons Woodland features a half-mile trail through the leaves with some rustic quiet spots to sit and take it all in.

General Grant National Memorial and Riverside Park, Morningside Heights

The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant—yes, “Grant’s Tomb”—is a relaxing and educational place for an autumn walk. And if you’re interested in more to walk through, nearby Riverside Park has you more than covered.

Walkway Over the Hudson

Some like to walk among fall foliage. Others like to walk over it.

It’s outside of the city, but The Walkway Over the Hudson, between Poughkeepsie and Highland, spans more than a mile over the Hudson River, making it the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world.

But an elevated bridge isn’t much use in autumn unless it serves some great vistas—and it does deliver on that front. At 212 feet above the river, you can look out at all the trees along the banks and the surrounding Catskills. Breathtaking, and worth a trip north.

Keep Yourself Walking Through All Seasons

The benefits of walking are numerous, regardless of the time of year! But if the thought of taking a stroll reminds you of aching heels or fills you with trepidation, it’s time to see us for help.

Whether you have persistent heel pain, instability while walking, worries about the consequences of diabetes on your feet, or other concerns, our job is keep our patients’ feet as comfortable, healthy, and mobile as possible.

We seek the root of every patient’s condition and recommend the best courses of action for management and recovery. We will always consider conservative measures first whenever possible, so do not fear the possibility of surgery. We’ll only recommend it if we’re sure it’s necessary.

In fact, in the vast majority of cases, we can significantly help our patients without surgery ever entering the picture. Treatments such as physical therapy, custom orthotics, medications, and changes in footwear often have a substantial effect.

Let us help you stay walking comfortably and experiencing the beauty around you. Whether you’re in Spring Valley or surrounding areas, schedule an appointment with Brook Valley Podiatry by calling (845) 352-7507.

If you prefer to contact us electronically, you are more than welcome to do so. Fill out our online contact form and a member of our staff will reach out to you.