North Woods
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
North Woods offers a unique, remarkably peaceful 40-acre forest experience right in the heart of Manhattan, specifically in the north-western section of Central Park. It provides an escape from the city hustle with diverse wildlife (birds, chipmunks, squirrels), scenic elements like a pond with willows and small waterfalls, and even a historical fortification (Blockhouse from 1812). It's described as a non-strenuous, friendly walk, perfect for families seeking a slice of nature and history without leaving the city.
Key Highlights
- ✓A genuine 40-acre forest experience, surprisingly peaceful, located centrally in Manhattan.
- ✓Teeming with various bird species, including uncommon ones like the great crested flycatcher, making it excellent for bird watching.
- ✓Features a well-maintained, clear, undulating path that can be walked without encountering many people, offering solitude.
- ✓Home to a pond with giant willows, ideal for picnics, and several small waterfalls.
- ✓Contains historical structures like the Blockhouse, a fortification dating back to 1812.
- ✓Offers a variety of landscapes from wooded areas to open plains, supporting diverse wildlife like chipmunks and squirrels.
- ✓Provides a strong sense of being outside the city, despite its urban location, offering a tranquil escape.
Standout Features
- ⭐Convenient location in Manhattan's Central Park (north-western section).
- ⭐Opportunities for excellent bird watching, with reported sightings of uncommon species.
- ⭐A picturesque pond with giant willows, noted as a perfect spot for a picnic.
- ⭐Presence of small waterfalls adds to the natural beauty.
- ⭐The Blockhouse, an 1812 fortification, offers a historical exploration point.
- ⭐Well-maintained, clear paths that provide a pleasant walking experience.
- ⭐Abundance of wildlife including chipmunks, squirrels, and various birds.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Always plan your visit during daylight hours; avoid the North Woods at night for safety.
- →Consider bringing picnic supplies to enjoy by the pond with giant willows.
- →Bring binoculars if you are interested in bird watching, as many species are present.
- →Allow time for quiet observation to spot wildlife like birds, chipmunks, and squirrels.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The woods are explicitly stated to be a 'no-go area at night' for safety reasons.
Price & Value
No pricing mentioned, implying it is free to access as part of Central Park. Offers significant value as a free, expansive nature escape within an urban environment.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Paths are described as 'undulating' but 'well-maintained and clear'. No specific accommodations mentioned for wheelchairs or strollers on these paths.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food and picnics are implicitly encouraged, with a pond area specifically noted as 'perfect for a little picnic'.
🚗Parking Info
- •Not mentioned in reviews. As a Central Park location in Manhattan, street parking is typically difficult, and paid garages would be the primary option nearby.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Generally very low crowds, with reviewers noting they might not encounter a single person.
- •Described as 'not a lot of tourists compared to the southern section' of Central Park.
- •Usually few people on weekdays; weekend crowd levels are not definitively stated but implied to be potentially higher than weekdays.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Described as a 'safe and wonderful place to walk and explore' during daylight hours.
- •Explicit warning: 'the woods should be considered a no-go area at night. Stay safe!'
⏰When to Avoid
- • Visiting at night, as it is advised to be a 'no-go area' for safety.
- • If you are looking for a strenuous mountain trail workout, as this location offers a peaceful walk, not intense hiking.
- • If your children are too young to walk independently for a sustained period or require playgrounds for entertainment, as this is primarily a walking/nature observation experience.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Thanksgiving Tradition
Fall (Thanksgiving)
Make Central Park a Part of Your Thanksgiving Tradition (Families encouraged).
Ice Skating
November 15 onwards
Registration open for select skate lessons and hockey programs (specific prices not provided)
Ice-skating returns to Central Park's north end at the Davis Center.
🍎Food Policy
- • Do not feed urban wildlife: offering food like bread, crackers, and nuts can cause malnutrition, disease, and injuries.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Summer safety: Park-goers should take necessary precautions to stay cool, healthy, and hydrated during their visits.
- • Drives safety (Central Park roadways): Pedestrians always have the right-of-way at crosswalks. Bikers and other wheeled users are required to stop whenever a pedestrian is in the crosswalk or ready to cross. E-bikes and e-scooters speed limit is 15 mph. Bikes, scooters, e-bikes, and skates must follow the one-way direction. Stay in designated lanes: left (inner) for pedestrians/joggers, middle for slower-moving cyclists, right (outer) for faster-moving permitted users (faster cyclists, e-bike riders, essential Park vehicles).
📅Booking Policy
- • A special event permit from NYC Parks is required for events with twenty people or more (e.g., field day, game tournament, birthday party).
- • Registration is open for select skate lessons and hockey programs for ice skating (no specific booking for North Woods hiking mentioned).
What People Say
What's Great
- Safe environment for children (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Sam Saltwell
11 months agoRemarkably peaceful 40-acre forest literally in the center of Manhattan and (relatively) teeming with birds. When Europeans arrived New York was predominantly forest, so this is your chance to experience an “original” slice of Manhattan 🌳 The undulating path is well-maintained and clear throughout. There is every chance you will not encounter a single person as you stroll through the forest. It goes without saying that from a streetwise perspective the woods should be considered a no-go area at night. Stay safe! If you found my review or photos helpful please leave a quick thumbs up 👍 Thank you
James Threatt
8 months agoGreat for bird watching! I was able to catch a glimpse of a few species that I love to see. As usual, I had to stay in one spot and wait, but then it was great. I also saw an uncommon bird, the great crested flycatcher after another birder told me about it.
Khoa Nguyen
2 years agoA quiet and beautiful section of Central Park on the north western section. Not a lot of tourists compared to the southern section. The woods are beautiful to walk through. There is pond with giant willows perfect for a little picnic. There are a couple of small waterfalls. This really does not feel you're even in the city. No need to take a drive all the way upstate for a walk. Of course this does not offer a strenuous workout like the mountain trails upstate, but it is still peaceful and very very friendly. And it is right here in the city.
Eduardo Moser
3 years agoThe North Woods provides a variety of wooded and plain landscapes. There are constructions, such as the Blockhouse, a fortification from 1812 that is the oldest structure in the park. North woods is a safe and wonderful place to walk and explore at any time of the year. It is also a popular place for bird watching and other elements of nature.
Dominik S
2 years agoIt is a great place to walk through some woods. There are usually few people (can't speak for the weekend) and i found a variety of wildlife, especially chipmunks, squirrels and birds. You can almost forget that you're in a big city while walking through these nice woods.