Low-Key Uptown Spots To Spend Time Outside This Memorial Day

UPTOWN, MANHATTAN — This Memorial Day in New York City will look a lot different from years past due to social distancing measures in place to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. City beaches are closed, NYPD officers are being deployed to crack down on large gatherings and everyone outside should be wearing a mask.

With warm weather and partly cloudy skies in the forecast for Memorial Day, many New Yorkers will likely want to spend the holiday outside.

Hotspots such as Central Park and the Brooklyn Promenade are mobbed with New Yorkers trying to escape the confines of their apartments, making it difficult to maintain a safe social distance. Patch compiled a list — and asked readers — about some low-key places in Washington Heights and Inwood where it may be easier to enjoy the outdoors this Memorial Day without running into large crowds.

Check some of Patch's, and your, suggestions out below:

Uptown Open Streets

New York City is working to pedestrianize 100 miles of city streets across the five boroughs to help residents spend time outside while safely social distancing. Three streets in Washington Heights and Inwood were among the first phase of streets to open this month.

Each of these streets will be open to pedestrians and cyclists and closed down to cars, except for emergency vehicles and deliveries. Though some are smaller stretches than others, they can each provide some extra space for a walk or a bike ride.

Here are the details about the Northern Manhattan streets:

• .88 miles of Margaret Corbin Drive, from Fort Washington Avenue to Cabrini Boulevard
• .05 miles of Lt. William Tighe Triangle, from Broadway to Seaman
• .41 miles of Laurel Hill Terrace, from Amsterdam Avenue to Amsterdam Avenue

Inwood Hill Park Woods

Several readers said that while some areas in the park can get crowded at certain times of day, there are plenty of spaces in its 196.4 acres where New Yorkers can find some peace and quiet. Of those spaces are the forested areas of the park, which readers said have been largely empty even during this time of staying at home.

The Parks Department has a map of all the hiking trails throughout Inwood Hill Park, including information about points of interest and educational videos. Be sure to stay as far apart from people as possible when walking along the paths.

Bennet Park

A smaller park for those looking to get away from the more crowded Fort Tryon or Inwood Hill Park green spaces can be found by West 183rd Street and Fort Washington Avenue.

The park's 1.8 acres include benches and some greenery and could be a great place to eat lunch outside or read a book. Remember, though, the playground, like all New York City playgrounds, is closed.

Mitchel Square

Another small slice of greenery, but further downtown, is Mitchel Square. Found off of Broadway between West 166th and 168th, this triangular park also includes benches perfect for getting some fresh air without the crowds of some of the larger parks.

Riverside Drive

Another reader suggestion, those looking to get some exercise without dealing with park crowds could try walking up Riverside Drive between West 155th and 165th Street.

This shady, windy route offers a good walking path parallel to the bottom of Fort Washington Park with enough hills and stairs to get a good workout either walking or running. The street's proximity to Fort Washington Park also means that it has some benches nearby for resting. Unlike the open streets, though, it is still open to traffic so keep an eye out for cars.

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