Last week I set out to do something off my beaten path. I hoofed it up to 105th Street to take in one of the loveliest gardens in Manhattan that’s not hidden behind a locked gate. (I’m looking at you, Grammercy Park.)
Conservatory Garden is in the upper right-hand corner of Central Park, and it’s free for all to enjoy. The garden is actually three gardens on six acres, each representing a different style.
The weather was perfect with not a cloud in the sky. I had some areas of the garden all to myself. I ended at the Harlem Meer under the shade of an elm. Well worth the trip!
Crabapple trees in bloom. Image via Wikicommons.
Vanderbilt Gate at the main entrance to the Conservatory Garden. These gates once stood at the Vanderbilt Mansion on Fifth Avenue. When the mansion was torn down, the gates were moved here.
The Vanderbilt Mansion. The magnificent carriage gates opened onto 58th Street — photo NYPL Collection
This shaded colonnade overlooks the main fountain in the center garden.
This reflecting pool commemorates the children’s book The Secret Garden. In the springtime, you can find water lilies in the pond.
Love this archway and the white roses entwined. There are four of these archways. This section of the garden has rows of hedges clipped into complicated patterns.
All archways lead to the Untermyer Fountain. The sculpture is called Three Dancing Maidens.
Can someone please tell me the name of these flowers?
The Harlem Meer. This pond widens out from this point at the northern edge of Central Park.
These juvenile mallard ducks say thanks for stopping by.
Hope you enjoyed the tour. Have a great weekend, everyone!
This is one of my favorite spots in Manhattan, and a favorite walk with my sister-in-law (and her dog, of course). You’ve captured its beauty and charm.
I wish I had brought Reggie along with me. I think he would have enjoyed hanging out with the ducks at the Harlem Meer (though he would never go in the water!).
I remember you said he doesn’t like water. And our springer loved it. So interesting, these furry friends of ours.
I took Reggie to Coney Island once and the teeny waves scared the heck out of him. 🙂
Reblogged this on Nothing Gilded, Nothing Gained–Where Past Meets Present at Middlemay Farm and commented:
I hate to confess that I never visited this lovely place in all my 40 years living in and around NYC. Enjoy Jackie’s beautiful photos and have a lovely weekend.
simply gorgeous and the weather has been beautiful in our neck of the woods lately! Thanks for the view of NYC that I would have never guessed was there!
These gardens feel tucked away and hidden from view. You feel that you’ve escaped the city somehow, yet you’re right in the middle of it!
Today’s another lovely day in the neighborhood. 🙂
Thank you for bringing us along for the garden stroll. Dancing maidens made me smile — so lively and playful!
I loved that fountain too. The dancing maidens feel like they are moving. There’s so much fluidity in the bronze.
What a gorgeous place! Someday I want to see all of Central Park.
Pack yourself a big lunch! 🙂 There’s so much to see and do!
It’s been a while since I have been there. Thank you for taking us on this lovely tour!
The gardeners do a fantastic job of tending the flowers and hedges. Everything was so well maintained. It’s a charming place.
Beautiful posting Jackie. Thanks for showing us a charming, hidden gem some of us (like me) may not have known about in this city we love.
Could the yellow flowers be these dahlias?
http://l7.alamy.com/zooms/7106c72c21534f108b52edbc01bbd726/dahlia-moonfire-yellow-orange-flowers-flowering-blooms-dark-foliage-f5ptg1.jpg
That looks like the right flower, Lorraine! Isn’t it striking?
Thanks so much for ending my search. There was no tag beneath the plant so I wasn’t sure how to track it down.
Beautiful, Jackie. We visited these gardens last year when we were in New York. Loved revisiting memories from my trip through these pictures.
I’m so glad that you got to visit in person. It’s quite a striking area and these photos really don’t do it justice. I was impressed by the meticulous maintenance.
I can’t believe that’s all right there in the middle of Manhattan!
Going there, you do feel like you’ve stumbled on a great secret.
These were great pics! Dude I felt like I was there on the stroll with you. Very cool place to hang out and check out the scene. Nice! Very nice.
It’s a little hidden gem in the middle of the bustling city! Glad you enjoyed the tour. 🙂