The Wild of New York - A Nature Tour

It seemed important to make this list, since few of us associate the city with any kind of wilderness. Dedicated to all of us insiders who love the city but sometimes miss a bit of air and green and wildlife (rats and hoary old urban pigeons don't count!).

Belvedere Castle
Central Park (at around 79th Street)
(Closed Tuesdays)

In autumn you can watch the hawk migration. During the cold fronts in September and October, you can spot raptors, eagles, falcons, harriers, and accipiters. There's a park ranger on staff who helps you identify the various hawk species.

Inwood Hill Park
Above Dyckman Street (northwest corner of Manhattan, in the Bronx)

The island's last great forest can be found here, surrounding a series of caves which the Native Americans used for eons.

Orchard Beach
Pelham Bay Park (in the Bronx)

There's a boardwalk you can follow all the way east, that leads you to a splendid beach, a salt marsh, and and a beautiful forest that contains vestige populations of American chestnuts.

Prospect Park
Near grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn

Beloved Brooklyn park, home to all manner of recreational activities, including horse riding lessons, etc.

Old Stone House
336 3rd Street (btw 4th and 5th Avenues in Brooklyn)

Gives a nice sense of New York during the Revolutionary War.

Salt Marsh Nature Center
3302 Avenue U (btw Burnett and E. 33rd Street)

This one's a great hidden treasure of the city, a vast marsh that turns bronze every fall and is teeming with wildlife. Park rangers on staff often arrange creative programs for visitors to experience the place.

Merchant's House Museum
29 E 4th Street (btw Lafayette and Bowery)

It's a small brownstone that still features whale oil lamps and secret passages from the time fo the Underground Railroad.

National Museum of the American Indian
1 Bowling Green (btw Whitehall and State Streets)

The museum has an amazing collection of artifacts from the various people who originally occupied Manhattan Island and the surrounding area.