With the weather beginning to cool down in recent weeks, I have been trying to maximize my outdoor time. I’ve found that going for walks allows me to unwind, people watch, and get my blood flowing while also enjoying the last relatively temperate days of the year. Granted, this is not the most strenuous form of exercise, but I figure Dodge will still be there for me once snow starts to cover the ground. Also, I’m lazy. What’s important is that there is nothing like a nice, long walk to clear my head. (Warning: if you’re gone too long, don’t be surprised if your roommate texts you to make sure you’re still alive. When you go for a walk, always let someone know where you’re headed before you depart!) Here are three great places to walk as autumn truly sets in.
1. Riverside Park
I didn’t even know that Riverside Park existed until a month into my first semester. Take advantage of its proximity to campus by going for a quick stroll. I love walking in Riverside Park because it tends to be full of my two favorite things: babies and dogs. It’s always calming to look out at the Hudson River and my forever-beautiful home state, New Jersey, on the opposite shore. Plus, as the leaves change, this walk will become even more scenic and beautiful.
2. Central Park Reservoir Loop
The Central Park Reservoir Loop tends to be dominated by joggers—who are never shy about pushing past me if I end up in their way—but it’s a wonderful place to walk, too. Just like Riverside Park, this walk offers a lovely view of the water. The loop around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is about a mile and a half long. In addition to gazing out at the water, I like to look at the buildings nearby. Their varied sizes and architectural styles fascinates me. Someone of them are quite old-fashioned, which makes me feel like I’m in a Jazz Age novel. If that’s not a plus, I don’t know what is.
3. Times Square
I’ll be the first person to hate on Midtown. It’s too crowded, too touristy, too Midtown. But when I’m in the mood for an extremely protracted walk and I have a few hours to kill—which is admittedly a rarity here at Barnard—I’ll walk all the way down Broadway to Times Square. My friends find this quite odd, but I love it. As soon as I’m out of Morningside Heights, I feel myself beginning to relax. I watch the character of my surroundings shift until eventually, suddenly, I am surrounded by the chaotic, tourist-filled explosion of light, color, and consumerism that is Times Square. I find this walk especially reflective, and it’s the perfect way to unwind after a tough exam or a particularly challenging week.