On the northern tip of Manhattan lies one of New York City’s most unspoiled Hudson river views, a historic museum and manicured green spaces–Fort Tryon Park. Located Uptown, Fort Tryon Park, named for the last British governor of Colonial New York, is a place that even the most astute Manhattanite often overlooks. The park is perched high above the Hudson river, just north of the Washington Heights neighborhood on Manhattan’s West Side. While a subway ride on the A or 1 train from Midtown will take you about 40 minutes, the calm ambiance and raw beauty of the park feels more 18th century colonial than modern concrete jungle. For those wary of riding the train for longer than 15 minutes New York Habitat offers dozens of Uptown accommodations a short distance from Fort Tryon Park.
Fort Tryon Park is steeped in history. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. stands as the patriarch of the modern park, having employed the Olmstead Brothers architectural firm (credited as the principle architects of both Central and Prospect parks) to realize his vision for the site. Mr. Rockefeller went so far as to purchase land on the New Jersey side of the Hudson river–now known as Palisades State Park–to preserve the views. In 1931 Mr. Rockefeller donated the land to the City of New York. Thanks to the work of Mr. Rockefeller, Olmstead and generations of preservation committees the natural views from Fort Tryon park are the best in New York City. The Hudson river is the principle element in the park’s natural canvas with the George Washington Bridge acting as the gateway to the city in the South and acres of New Jersey woodland staring back from West.
From the Fort Tryon vantage point it is hard to imagine the urban sprawl that envelopes it. All in all Fort Tryon Park encompasses over 66 acres of city land and boasts over 8 miles of pedestrian paths. On summer weekends the park is teeming with picnicking families and groups of sweaty joggers. At the north end of the park is The Cloisters museum, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a major attraction all itself.
Consider Uptown apartments to stay close to this beautiful New York park. This 1-bedroom apartment rental in Harlem, Uptown(NY-12546) is on the first floor of a historical Harlem brownstone and a short subway ride to Fort Tryon Park. Also available is this cozy Studio accommodation in the Hamilton Heights section of Harlem, Uptown (NY-14354).
To read about other park in New York City read: Spring Vacation Rentals: Visit New York City’s Parks
Check back for more on The Cloisters Museum at Fort Tryon Park in the coming weeks…
I went on a date in the Cloisters a few years back. It’s very lovely, and there is a real air of respect for the relics. It’s hard to imagine that such a place exists in New York, in Tryon Park, and that you don’t necessarily need to go to Europe to see medieval architectural treasures amidst natural beauty.
Wow, I didn’t know about this park in Manhattan. The pictures I’ve seen so far look fantastic, just like the available apartments in this article! I think I should go there for the weekend, if it’s not too rainy..
Oh, the “Fort Tryon Park,” is a true hidden gem. It sounds wonderful specially to go on a date with someone that appriciates architecture. Thanks you this fantastic information. I will make sure to make a stop there very soon.
I spent two months during the summer of 2010 in an apartment on Cabrini Blvd, within walking distance of Fort Tryon Park and visited there several times during my stay, as well as visiting the Cloisters. Great views of the Hudson River, and a great place to relax and enjoy nature and gardens in all their summer glory, away from the rush and crush of downtown NYC.