Hallett Nature Sanctuary
Hallett Nature Sanctuary
4.5
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Duration: < 1 hour
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Central Park
How to get there
- 5th Ave / 59th St • 3 min walk
- 57th St • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
18 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
mimmomnj
Independence, MO30 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
This nature sanctuary isn't open often, but if you ever pass by and see the gates open, enter and marvel at four acres of climax forest in the midst of Manhattan's skyscrapers. The paths, benches and outlooks are all brand-new, and the walks are planted with labelled plants, trees and wildflowers. You might also see some fine migratory birds. Bravo to the Central Park Conservancy!!!
Written April 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom L
Ottawa, Canada472 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Closed for the past thirty years this four acre patch of Central Park is sure to delight. Located in the south west corner of the park near Columbus Circle it is fairly easy to locate.
It is now a special sanctuary for birds and special plants. The arborists have worked diligently for the past few years to make it accessible to the public. It is only open a couple days per week and during select hours. So consult their web site. Best of all it does not cost you a dime.
You can meander down the cedar chip lanes. You can witness a modest waterfall. You can sit at a bench and relax. You can admire the flora and fauna. It will delight many senses.
To visit you will likely need to line up as only a small number of visitors are permitted. You must persevere however as the sanctuary will give you a marvellous reward. It is calming, peaceful amid a city of noise and speed.
It is now a special sanctuary for birds and special plants. The arborists have worked diligently for the past few years to make it accessible to the public. It is only open a couple days per week and during select hours. So consult their web site. Best of all it does not cost you a dime.
You can meander down the cedar chip lanes. You can witness a modest waterfall. You can sit at a bench and relax. You can admire the flora and fauna. It will delight many senses.
To visit you will likely need to line up as only a small number of visitors are permitted. You must persevere however as the sanctuary will give you a marvellous reward. It is calming, peaceful amid a city of noise and speed.
Written July 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
neverseenitbefore
Charlotte, NC75 contributions
May 2016
A small park within a park, with an interesting history. Only a limited number of visitors are let in at one time on the certain days that it is open to the public. Just about two acres, it only takes 20-30 minutes to walk through.
Written May 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daylilly50
New York City, NY811 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
The Sanctuary has just opened to the public but with very limited hours as of now Check before you go.
It is located behind the Wollman Rink but suggest you enter from Central Park South rather than Fifth Ave
Only 20 people are allowed in at any time , so be prepared to wait
It is a little oasis of tranquility in the heart of the city. Mostly shady there is not a lot of color
The paths are somewhat uneven , and one section has rocks ( can be avoided ) so suggest you wear closed shoes
It is located behind the Wollman Rink but suggest you enter from Central Park South rather than Fifth Ave
Only 20 people are allowed in at any time , so be prepared to wait
It is a little oasis of tranquility in the heart of the city. Mostly shady there is not a lot of color
The paths are somewhat uneven , and one section has rocks ( can be avoided ) so suggest you wear closed shoes
Written May 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
uktravailer
West Chester, PA605 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
This fenced off area of Central Park was closed in 1934 and opened up only in 2016.
First thing to note is the very limited opening hours:
April 1 - June 30
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
July 1 - August 31
Monday & Friday: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Second thing is that only 20 people are allowed in at one time - so be prepared to line up for your turn. I arrived at 2:30 and was in line for about an hour. Once inside it is a nice compact little reserve, with a wood chip path that meanders up through the fenced off area. It is a nice sanctuary with many plants and wildlife - like an overgrown garden that has been left (which is exactly what it was). I was lucky enough to see raccoon (including babies) and various birds taking baths at the top of the waterfall.
Ambling through the path takes about 20-30 minutes if you're not in a hurry. There are a few guides stationed at key points and they are friendly. The odd thing is seeing the NYC skyline though the trees and also hearing the mix of birdsong and city noises.
All in all I would say it was worth the wait.
First thing to note is the very limited opening hours:
April 1 - June 30
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
July 1 - August 31
Monday & Friday: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Second thing is that only 20 people are allowed in at one time - so be prepared to line up for your turn. I arrived at 2:30 and was in line for about an hour. Once inside it is a nice compact little reserve, with a wood chip path that meanders up through the fenced off area. It is a nice sanctuary with many plants and wildlife - like an overgrown garden that has been left (which is exactly what it was). I was lucky enough to see raccoon (including babies) and various birds taking baths at the top of the waterfall.
Ambling through the path takes about 20-30 minutes if you're not in a hurry. There are a few guides stationed at key points and they are friendly. The odd thing is seeing the NYC skyline though the trees and also hearing the mix of birdsong and city noises.
All in all I would say it was worth the wait.
Written May 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louis F
Altus, OK1,231 contributions
May 2023
Nice little spot in Central park where you can avoid the crowds. Only saw a handful of people while in there and there were plenty of places to sit and relax.
Written May 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashok Ganapathy Iyer
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates1,551 contributions
Aug 2019 • Solo
Hallett Nature Sanctuary is pristine wilderness within Central Park segregated from human intervention. Here the walk through the natural wilderness gives you a sense of the historic wild habitat that preceded the building of this great city New York and the importance of Central Park
Written November 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StephenCross
Dublin, Ireland31,546 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
Mice and quite and a small sanctuary. Worth a visit and some photos. New York’s better parts and a bit hidden away.
Written October 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RknRon
Madison, WI1,763 contributions
Oct 2019
This is a hidden gem in Central Park. Carved wooden gates and interior carved benches with manicured paths that are springy with mulch. Lots of squirrels / birds and plant species with several path ends that lead to great views and restful areas in the hustle of the city
Written October 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
invertpaleo
New York City, NY344 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
The Hallet Nature Sanctuary is worth looking around if you are interested in nature and want a quiet place to walk that is quite near the south end of Central Park. In the spring there are a lot of different species of ephemeral native plants that are flowering, which is what I came to see. There are also a few places where you can sit on a park bench and relax.
Many of the plants and trees in Hallet are labelled with their names, which makes it convenient if you are trying to learn them.
Many of the plants and trees in Hallet are labelled with their names, which makes it convenient if you are trying to learn them.
Written July 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ritu A
Sarasota, Florida
Is the park open for us to hike from October 13 through October 17?
Written October 11, 2017
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