The Largest Public Park In New York City Offers Family-Friendly Fun And Scenic Fall Foliage

Central Park, one of the most filmed locations in the world, is surely the most famous green space in New York City. But it's not the Big Apple's largest park — not by a long shot, actually. That honor belongs to Pelham Bay Park, a place you probably haven't heard about if you're not familiar with the city. Located along Pelham Bay just east of the Bronx, Pelham Bay Park encompasses 2,772 acres, making it more than three times the size of Central Park. Within this natural oasis are forests, meadows, wetlands, and the 1.1-mile-long Orchard Beach, providing a delightful respite from urban living mere minutes from the busy streets. 

If you're in New York City and looking for a great place to check out the fall foliage this year, consider a day trip to this public park. It transforms into a resplendent sanctuary in autumn, when the gold, orange, and red leaves of the majestic deciduous trees contrast with evergreens, like white pine and Norway spruce. A good area for leaf-peeping in the park is north of Orchard Beach on Hunter Island (which is actually a peninsula rather than an island), where there's a network of nature trails. This 220-acre peninsula contains the largest swathe of forest in the park, where hickory and sassafras commingle with black birch and tulip trees, along with some of the park's oldest oaks.

While admiring the lovely trees and fall foliage here on this wild side of the Bronx, you might also encounter wildlife like deer, raccoons, cottontails, and coyotes, but we hope — for your sake — you won't run into any resident skunks. The park is also a great birding spot, with raptors, shorebirds, kinglets, warblers, and sparrows all known to be present in the park in autumn. If you're visiting in winter, you probably missed the leaves, but you may spot some owls, which are drawn to the area's coniferous trees during the colder season.

Besides leaf-peeping excursions, a multitude of family-friendly activities are possible in Pelham Bay Park. There are three nature trails in the park, along with five miles of cycling paths. Kids also have four different playgrounds to choose from: two at Orchard Beach and two more in the southern part of the park. In the latter group, the colorful Playground for All Children is a welcoming space for all children, with special features like handrails, accessible swings, and Braille signage to accommodate those with disabilities. This children's park is conveniently situated near a picnic area, the Aileen B. Ryan Recreational Complex with its multitude of sports fields and courts, and a dog run, so that even fur children can get in on the action.

On the opposite side of the Hutchinson River from the Playground for All Children are even more recreational possibilities. At the Turtle Cove Golf Center, families can test their putting skills on an 18-hole miniature golf course. Aspiring golfers can enroll in Turtle Cove's youth and adult golf lessons, while those with more experience can practice their swings at the Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Courses. These courses are located in a lovely, tree-lined part of the park near the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, a 19th-century Greek Revival mansion that was once a family residence and now hosts tours.

A mile south of the mansion is City Island Stables, the Bronx's very own equine oasis. The stable offers pony rides for children, trail rides through the park for those meeting the height and weight requirements, and private and group riding lessons. It also holds a summer riding program for youths between the ages of 5 and 16, where budding horse lovers can hone their riding skills, learn about stable safety, and practice grooming and caring for horses.

On top of everything else, Pelham Bay Park is home to Orchard Beach, otherwise known as the "Bronx Riviera." Of course, Orchard Beach didn't have to compete much to win this title, as it's actually the Bronx's only beach. The beach sits right along Pelham Bay, which is sheltered from the open ocean, making it a safe and pleasant place to swim during summer. But there's far more to do here than just surf and sand, given the 26 different sport courts along with various shops and food stalls, picnic areas, and the two aforementioned playgrounds.

More adventures are possible on yet another body of water, known simply as The Lagoon, which is located between Hunter Island and Shore Road. Simply paddling a canoe or kayak here is an enjoyable experience, but anglers can also cast lines for fluke, winter flounder, and bluefish in season. This area is also ripe for birding, with opportunities to see species from ducks and egrets to herons and the occasional migrating osprey. Unfortunately, boat rentals are not available in the park, so it's necessary to bring your own or rent one elsewhere and put in at The Lagoon's boat launch, which is located at the end of Park Drive on Hunter Island.

While Pelham Bay Park is New York's biggest park and Central Park is its most famous, there are plenty of other green spaces worthy of exploration around the city. One of the coolest public parks to check out is Prospect Park in Brooklyn, which boasts a dazzling list of activities and entertainment options, including a zoo, an ice rink, a carousel, and a band shell, along with the country's first Audubon Center located in an urban area.