Central Park, Oct 17–23: nothing on the drives all week, two woodland walks, and the marathon two weeks out

Not one permit touches a drive this week. The triathlon and the East Drive holds are behind us, the next race is a fortnight away, and Monday through Thursday the park has no public events at all. If you have been waiting for an empty loop and cool air, this is the week.

Two caveats: the Mall is busy both weekend days, and the weather has finally turned.

Weather this week

Storms tonight at 90%, then Saturday clears to 53° after an early shower with 39° overnight — the coldest night of the autumn so far. Sunday is sunny and 55°. The week then warms gently and stays dry: 57°, 64°, 63°, 61°, 65°. Cold starts, good air, no rain to speak of. Gloves for the early rides.

Sat Oct 17 — the Mall is committed, the drives are not

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer holds Bandshell Plaza, Mineral Springs and Rumsey Playfield from midnight to 6 PM — eighteen hours across the middle of the park. The permit names the 102nd Street Cross Drive but no park drive, so the loop stays open; what you will meet is heavy foot traffic crossing it near 72nd Street all day.

Ride or run the outer loop and avoid the Mall. 53° and clearing, with Open House New York adding crowds at Grand Army Plaza 10 AM–6 PM.

For a walk instead: the Conservatory Garden Tour at 11 AM, behind the scenes with the staff. The Conservatory Garden in the third week of October is the best fortnight it has.

East Meadow closed; 27 private bookings on the scenic spots.

Sun Oct 18 — the Ramble, and two charity walks

Central Park Woodland Walk: The Ramble meets at Belvedere Castle at 10 AM. Sunny, 55°, Conservancy guides, the Ramble in full colour — if you take one guided walk this year, take this one.

Two Making Strides walks run: the Bandshell permit continues to 6 PM, and a second takes Cedar Hill 8 AM–12 PM. So the Mall and the east-side paths are both busy in the morning. Drives open all day.

Mon Oct 19 – Thu Oct 22 — an empty park, and the best air of the month

No public events Monday through Thursday. Soccer training and school programmes on the lawns, lawn maintenance at East 106th Street, and nothing else. Nothing on any drive.

57°, then 64° Tuesday, 63° Wednesday, 61° Thursday — dry, mostly sunny, cold mornings. Tuesday and Wednesday are the pick of the week and there is nothing at all to work around.

Bird Watching with Birding Bob is rotating meeting points — Strawberry Fields Monday, Loeb Boathouse Thursday, the Conservatory Garden Friday. Check which one before you go; migration is at its tail end.

Fri Oct 23 — the North Woods

Central Park Woodland Walk: The North Woods meets at the Dana Discovery Center at 10 AM. The wildest, emptiest end of the park with a guide — and far fewer people know about this one than the Ramble walk. 65°.

Two weeks out — block the calendar

Saturday Oct 31: Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, 8:45–11 AM. Sunday Nov 1: the TCS New York City Marathon, 8 AM–5 PM, 55,000 runners finishing in the park.

That weekend the loop is gone, properly gone, for two days. Plan your long efforts for the weekend before — which is this one, and the week after it.

Steady all week

Bethesda Terrace and Fountain is closed all day, every day, and the permits have extended a seventh time — now November 16. Ten weeks elapsed.

East Meadow closed both weekend days; East 106th Street lawn out Monday–Thursday. Neither on your line.

Quick recap

• Nothing touches a drive all week. The loop is yours.
• Monday to Thursday has no public events at all. Tuesday and Wednesday are the pick.
• Saturday: the Mall is committed midnight–6 PM by Making Strides. Outer loop, avoid 72nd Street.
• Sunday 10 AM: the Ramble walk. Friday 10 AM: the North Woods walk.
• 39° Saturday night — coldest of the autumn. Gloves.
• Oct 31 and Nov 1: Dash to the Finish Line, then the Marathon. The loop goes for both.

Enjoy the empty week, Central Park Guide