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.

2. Jefferson Market Garden

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Located right in the center of the bustling West Village, this garden makes it easy to forget that you're in the city at all. With its teeming foliage, winding pathways, and hordes of butterflies and moths, this place is a romantic spot that's maintained entirely by dedicated volunteers.