In New York City, it's always nice to hit up your local park once the leaves start to change. But if you live Uptown, there's a truly special place to enjoy the fall foliage–and get into the Halloween spirit while you're at it: the historic Trinity Church Cemetery & Mausoleum.
Located on the upper, upper West Side (the main entrance is on 153rd Street between Broadway and Riverside Drive), this large, winding cemetery is a bit like our version of Paris' Père Lachaise. Buried here are naturalist James John Audubon, Mayor Ed Koch and three other city mayors, dynasty founder John Jacob Astor, "Invisible Man" writer Ralph Ellison, and so many more. (As I discovered while doing research for my previous post, it's also where all the cemetery scenes in "The Royal Tenenbaums" were shot.)
It's Manhattan's only remaining active cemetery, so you might see visitors enquiring about burials, but it's so big and beautifully maintained, you can walk through it and find yourself alone in many parts. On the day I was there, I walked past a grandmother pushing a stroller and a tourist taking photographs–that was it.
Otherwise, it was incredibly peaceful, the hum of the highway muffled by the stone walls and large trees that surround this hilly spot. It's open seven days a week, from 9 to 4, except major holidays. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or just need a break from the incessant big-city hubbub, a visit this fall is a must.
