NYC: Where the Wild Things Are

Imagine being truly alone. Maybe there's a rushing river, or rows of trees as far as the eye can see. Now, imagine you're in New York City. Not the New York City of a thousand years ago. Or one of the distant sci-fi future. You're in New York City now. Maybe the hot tourist destinations are not the places that bring you peace and quiet, but the city is full of these hidden gems, if you only wander off the beaten path a bit. You can be completely alone only minutes away from Times Square.

When you walk into Legacy: The Preservation of Wilderness in New york City Parks, on view at the Museum of the City of New York, you are surrounded by huge images of the Bronx River Park. You weave through the "river" and move on to more large-scale park images organized by borough: Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.

These boroughs are normally associated with buildings and business, but here they are represented by the gorgeous photos of photographer Joel Meyerowitz, who explores a whole other side of the city.

The exhibit is on display until March 21, and if you can't make it a companion book is available for purchase as well.

Pictured here, High Rock Park Preserve, Staten Island.

Conference House Park, Staten Island. The southernmost point in New York City.

Forest Park, Queens.

Little Red Lighthouse, Fort Washington Park.

Pelham Bay Park, Bronx.

Wolfe's Pond Park, Staten Island.

Bronx River Park, New York Botanical Garden.

Central Park, Hallett Nature Sanctuary.