Located at the Bronx River Parkway and Fordham Road, just a 20-minute drive from Manhattan, the 250-acre New York Botanical Garden offers a peaceful retreat from the city. This fall, the garden presents Fall Forest Weekends in the Thain Family Forest, New York City’s largest remaining tract of old-growth woodland. The event runs on Nov. 3–4 and Nov. 10–11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is included with the All-Garden Pass, which also grants access to seasonal exhibitions and attractions such as the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the Tram Tour and the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden.
Fall Forest Weekends feature a variety of activities designed for visitors of all ages. On the water, guests can canoe along the scenic Bronx River. For those who prefer staying on land, guided walks through the Thain Family Forest reveal the area’s ecological and historical significance. Demonstrations and programs enrich the forest experience, including live bird-of-prey presentations with hawks, owls and falcons; a woodcraft demonstration by Bronx artisan Ivan Braun using wood salvaged from felled trees—species showcased include plum, yew, red maple, cherry, apple and Japanese elm; and a wilderness survival skills session led by urban naturalist Gabriel Willow covering navigation, plant identification and essential outdoor techniques.
Visitors can also enjoy live fiddle music performed on the Thain Family Forest Bridge and catch Shakespeare in the Forest, with highlights from A Midsummer Night’s Dream presented by the acting company Hamlet Isn’t Dead. These performances add a cultural layer to the natural setting, blending music and theatre with the forest’s autumn atmosphere.
If you can’t visit in person, the garden offers a Fall Color Cam on its website that lets you take in the changing foliage remotely. Whether you come for the canoeing, the guided walks, the demonstrations or the performances, Fall Forest Weekends at the New York Botanical Garden provide a rich, seasonal experience that celebrates the forest’s natural beauty and the skills and arts inspired by it.
Thain Family Forest at The New York Botanical Garden on November 6, 2016 in New York City © Ben Hider for NYBG