New York
Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Conservatory Garden Is A Hidden Garden In New York Worthy Of A Day Hike

Published Jun 28, 2024

Written by 

John Williams

Everyone knows about Central Park. It is one of the most iconic parks in America, and maybe even the world. But not everyone knows about Conservatory Garden, a beautiful garden tucked away in Central Park. Those making the trip to check out the park need make sure that they don't miss it—it's a crucial part of any great hike through Central Park, and it might just be one of the best gardens in all of New York City. To learn more, keep reading below.

The Conservatory Garden opened all the way back in 1937.

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Central Park

The garden is named after a glass conservatory that was erected at the same location as the park in 1889.

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Eleonora Z/Tripadvisor

Before that, the area was the home to a greenhouse used for tending to plants that would eventually make their way into the park’s larger landscape.

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Eleonora Z/Tripadvisor

There are three parts to the garden. First, there is the North Garden, which has a French influence. Then there is the Center Garden, which is inspired by the gardens of the Italian Renaissance. Its central lawn features pergola foregrounded by a single jet fountain. Finally, there is the British-inspired South Garden.

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Vjud/Tripadvisor

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the larger Central Park, using the Conservatory Garden as a special stop off point.

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Samuel L/Tripadvisor

Entrance to the garden is completely free!

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Aynat62/Tripadvisor

This summer, we highly suggest that any visitors to Central Park include the Conservatory Garden in their hiking agenda. It is simply spectacular and lives up to its billing as the best garden in New York City. While the Italian Garden is currently under renovation, the English and French Gardens are open to the public. And for those spending some extended time in New York City, we recommend also checking out the food at Great NY Noodletown, which we think might have some of the best Chinese food in the entire state. Looking for a place to stay in New York? How about Roxy Hotel New York? The stylish Tribeca hotel even has a small cinema in its basement.

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Completely Free Nature Spot Hiding in a New York Park Is a Must-Visit

Webster Pond is an amazing secret pond in New York that offers a stunning slice of nature not far from the big city.

Published Sep 6, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

As I explore more and more of the Empire State, I've developed a love for the unique cities of upstate. There is so much to do, see, and eat in these cities that it can be a little overwhelming in the best way. Still, sometimes I need to get away and decompress, and that's the perfect time to explore one of the city's charming county parks. A perfect example can be found in Syracuse, hiding in the humble Rand Tract Park. A heavily-wooded park filled with easy hiking trails, it's also home to Webster Pond, a unique and beautiful pond that has been designated as a nature preserve and is teeming with life. It's one of the most accessible nature spots in Syracuse, so discover this gorgeous hidden pond in New York below!

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Kyra Carp/AllTrails

Rand Tract Park is a laid-back upstate New York destination, and it can be seen via the Webster Pond and Rand Tract Trail, which is an easy 2.2-mile loop trail. You'll encounter some uneven terrain, but the heavily wooded area is beautiful.

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Erin Hanlon/AllTrails

The main highlight of the area is Webster Pond, a stunningly beautiful pond that has been maintained as a nature preserve since 1890. Dogs aren't allowed on the trail - likely to ensure the ecosystem here remains undisturbed.

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Erin Hanlon/AllTrails

The pond is designed as a refuge for the local fish, game, and birds - especially birds. Lots and lots of birds, making this an incredible spot for birdwatchers to visit.

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Ali Shela/AllTrails

The pond is surrounded by handicaped-accessible bridges and plenty of benches, so this is a great laid-back spot for people to visit when they need a break from the hustle and bustle of Syracuse. It's an ideal spot for the whole family - the kids can look for birds while grandpa takes a break.

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Joe Bessette/AllTrails

At some points, it feels like it's really the birds' pond and we're just visiting - and that's exactly how we like it. This pond is an amazing spot to visit through the year.

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Have you visited Webster Pond in Rand Tract Park before? Let us know about your visit to this hidden pond in New York in the comments section! You can see more pictures of the pond and the surrounding area on the Webster Pond and Rand Tract Trail listing on AllTrails. This might be an easy trail, but the trail guides and point-by-point directions on AllTrails + might still be useful to someone new to the area. And when you're done with nature, why not visit Syracuse's spectacular Destiny USA - one of the largest malls in the United States?

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

This Natural Water Park In New York Is A Summer Dream Come True

Published Aug 16, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Visiting a summer waterpark in New York is always a lot of fun, but during those hot summer days, it doesn't always work to beat the heat! The crowds are out in full force and the sun is beating down on the concrete and plastic. That's why when that summer heat gets to be too much, many adventurous types prefer to instead head off the beaten path and discover a natural adventure. We found exactly that at Lake George Wild Forest, a sprawling destination with over 40 individual rustic trails and some of the region's most beautiful sights. But we were the most surprised to find out that it was home to what might be the only natural waterslide in New York! This is Bear Slide Trail, a simple hike not far off the beaten path that allows you to get your feet wet and take a wet-and-wild adventure down a flowing path, far away from the area's busiest tourist destinations!

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Lake George Wild Forest is a choose-your-own-adventure of a park, with almost fifty trails leading to stunning mountaintops...

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Harriet Santisi/AllTrails

And peaceful waterfronts. But there's one hidden gem of a trail that most people don't know about.

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Web Surfer/Google Local

The Bear Slide Trail is a fairly short, easy-to-access trail that follows a racing brook. Some of the brook is rocky...

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Dan Steltz/Google Local

But at a certain point, it smoothes out while still flowing downhill. After heavy rain, it'll be a rushing river that you can simply sit down in...and let it sweep you away!

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Visit Lake George

Your final destination is a small waterfall with a shallow pool at the end, the perfect cool finish to this natural waterslide!

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Dan Steltz/Google Local

You can even camp on the ground, with 63 primitive camping sites available around the forest. It's the perfect rustic adventure for summer.

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Have you taken the often-wild ride on the Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest? Let us know what you think of this unique natural waterslide in New York in the comments section! To learn more about this massive natural destination, check out the Lake George Wild Forest page on the NY website. There is so much hiking to do in this area, with many of the trails being challenging, so we recommend a subscription to AllTrails + - this is the kind of destination this app was made for, letting you stay connected with downloadable trail guides no matter how remote your hike is. And if you're in the mood for a different kind of local adventure, Six Flags Great Escape just opened a new and thrilling wooden roller coaster!

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