Inwood Hill Park has a full week of free programs between Saturday, October 24, and Halloween, from telescopes on the lawn tonight to a ranger-led night hike and a movie at Dyckman Marina on October 31. Everything below is free, and all of it takes place inside the park at Manhattan's northern tip. Here is what is on the NYC Parks calendar.

Saturday, October 24: Autumn Starfest

The Urban Park Rangers and the Amateur Astronomers Association hold their annual Autumn Starfest tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. at West 218th Street and Indian Road, by the park's nature center. Association members bring their own telescopes and set them up for the public, with Jupiter, Saturn and the craters of the Moon on the viewing list, along with star clusters and double stars.

No registration is needed. The event depends on clear skies, so check the NYC Parks listing before heading out if the weather looks doubtful. Dress warmly for an evening outdoors.

Saturdays, October 24 and 31: NYRR Open Run

Every Saturday morning, New York Road Runners holds a free, community-led 5K Open Run in Inwood Hill Park, with the session running from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m. The course is three loops on hilly trails and paths through the woods and along the park's salt marsh, which NYC Parks notes is the last natural one in Manhattan. Runners and walkers of every pace are welcome. Participants meet at the Seaman Avenue and Isham Street entrance, and NYRR asks people to sign up in advance through the link on the Parks listing.

Wednesday, October 28: Ranger Tot Time

For the youngest park visitors, the Urban Park Rangers host Ranger Tot Time from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday at the Inwood Hill Nature Center, West 218th Street and Indian Road. The hour is built around kid-friendly activities and exploring the nature center. It is free, and no registration is required.

Saturday, October 31: After Dark Hike

On Halloween afternoon, the Urban Park Rangers lead the Inwood Hill Park After Dark Hike from 4 to 5:30 p.m., starting at West 218th Street and Indian Road. The rangers frame the walk around bats, bones, owls and local lore. The hike is free, and there is no sign-up. Wear sturdy shoes: the park's trails are hilly.

Saturday, October 31: Movie Night at Dyckman Marina

Halloween night closes with an outdoor screening at Dyckman Marina, 348 Dyckman Street, at the western edge of the park on the Hudson River. NYC Parks lists the film as part of its family-friendly movie series, with showtime at dusk. The Parks calendar carries two listings for the night, with estimated start times of about 7 p.m. and about 8:30 p.m., so check the listing on the day for the final time. Bring a blanket or a low chair. Admission is free. For accessibility questions, NYC Parks asks visitors to call (212) 360-1430 or email accessibility@parks.nyc.gov.

Why Inwood Hill Park

The park covers the hilly, wooded northern end of Manhattan. NYC Parks describes caves, valleys and ridges left behind by glaciers, a forest that was largely spared from development, and evidence of Native American use that continues to turn up. It also has a stretch of the Hudson River bike route, athletic fields, playgrounds and dog runs. The rangers' nature center at West 218th Street and Indian Road anchors most of this week's programs.

Getting there

  • Nature center (West 218th Street and Indian Road): Take the A train to Inwood-207th Street, then walk north along Seaman Avenue, about 10 minutes. The 1 train stops at 215th Street on 10th Avenue, also within walking distance.
  • Seaman Avenue and Isham Street entrance: A short walk west from the A train at Inwood-207th Street.
  • Dyckman Marina (348 Dyckman Street): Take the A train to Dyckman Street at Broadway, or the 1 train to Dyckman Street at Nagle Avenue, and walk west toward the river.

All of the programs above are free. Starfest, Tot Time and the After Dark Hike need no registration, while the Saturday Open Run asks for an advance sign-up through NYRR. Outdoor events can change with the weather, so check each NYC Parks listing before you go.

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