Inwood Hill Park

This gorgeous 197-acre park contains the last natural forest and salt marsh in Manhattan. It’s a cool escape in summer and a great place to explore anytime, as you’ll find hilly paths for hiking and mellow, grassy patches and benches for quiet contemplation. It’s so peaceful and un-urban here, in fact, that the treetops serve as frequent nesting sites for bald eagles. You’ll also find helpful rangers and a slew of educational programs, many geared toward children, at the Inwood Hill Nature Center. Let your sporty side rip on basketball courts, horseback-riding trails, and soccer and football fields; you can also join locals who barbecue at designated grills on summer weekends. The views of New Jersey and the Bronx from high points in the forest are wonderful.