Internet rumors abound about where to find the most private public places in the city. Here, we’ve compiled the five locations that seem to be the most reasonable and the least complicated to find. But no matter which one you choose, always remember to be discreet.
1. Morningside Park
[Brad Clinesmith/Flickr]According to an astute writer for the Columbia Spectator, you need to look for a dirt path around 114th Street, and if you follow it, you’ll eventually come to a large clearing with a stone. You should be far enough away from the street here.
2. Prospect Park
[Wally Gobetz/Flickr]The most woodsy area of Prospect Park is Midwood, which you can easily spot on a map of Prospect Park. The further you go from the paved road, the more privacy you’ll find. You could also take advantage of various gazebos in the park on a rainy day, when there will be far less people out and about.
3. Central Park
[gigi_nyc/Flickr]At the northwest corner of the park are some tall rocks, and if you climb to the top you’ll be unlikely to be seen from the street down below, unless a passing biker is particularly curious about what’s going on up there.
4. Riverside Park
[Jeffrey Zeldman/Flickr]If you’re at the tennis courts in Riverside Park, you should see a dirt trail which leads you into the woods. From there, choose one of the even smaller off-shooting dirt trails and take it as far into the woods as you can go—without, of course, coming out on the other side.
5. Grant’s Tomb
[ScottOldham/Flickr]Yes, apparently the final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant is a prime location. Not inside the tomb (that would be creepy as hell), but behind it, apparently there’s a relatively secluded courtyard where people are unlikely to go exploring. Of course, you’re banking on the assumption that tourists are only interested in the front of the monument.