It's September, which means that we're in that precious sweet spot where NYC's temperature hovers between unbearably hot and unbearably cold. During this time, you may find yourself wanting to spend your weekends in the refuge of one of the city's many parks and gardens.

One of the best things about NYC is that there are so many hidden green spaces. Seemingly on every corner, there's a hidden patch of green or a little bench at the center of a ring of tulips, disrupting the sirens and the smoke. Even in Manhattan, where every square inch of real estate has value, there are a surprising number of green spaces to be found, creatively squished between buildings or even planted inside skyscrapers.

Here's a list of some of the island's best secret gardens, where you can find solitude and peace amidst the changing leaves.

1. Elizabeth Street Garden

nypost.com

Hidden between the empty storefronts and luxury shops of the Bowery, this garden faces impending destruction despite ongoing protests, so you may want to visit while it lasts. It's full of statues—stone angels, fountains, and ornate lions make it feel like something out of a fairytale.