Sacred City: Fort Tryon Park in Northern Manhattan, New York City

Everyone has heard of Central Park in Manhattan, it's one of New York City's premiere tourist destinations. Most New Yorkers even have a favorite corner of Manhattan's biggest and most famous green. But how many of them have their own favorite spot in Fort Tryon Park? Have you ever even heard of Fort Tryon Park? It is secretly one of the most beautiful places on the island of Manhattan! Containing some of the most amazing views of the Hudson River, the New Jersey Palisades, the George Washington Bridge and for me, it is the site of the absolute most beautiful place to be for a late Summer or Autumn sunset. For those of you who have never heard of it, here is a bit of an introduction. If you are lucky enough to be able to visit, I will even provide walking directions to my favorite place to set down your blanket and picnic basket.

Chances are, if you live in New York City, or have read a guidebook or two about it when you were visiting, you have heard of the Cloisters. The Cloisters, an extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, houses an extensive collection of medieval art from the European Middle Ages. The building and grounds are actually also part of the collection, as they were constructed from several medieval buildings that were purchased in Europe and transported to America to be rebuilt, stone by stone. To get there, you have to go to Fort Tryon Park, located near the border of the Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods, which are up at the very northern tip of Manhattan.

Many people come to the Cloisters to view the impressive collection, including the famous Unicorn Tapestries. And yet, most people are in and out of the Museum, without bothering to exploring the amazing park all around it. Big mistake! This amazing park has its own impressive history and is worth exploring just as much the museum there.