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.

5. The Gardens of St. Luke in the Field

This sweet space is home to 100 species of birds and 24 types of moths and butterflies, many of which are rare, but all of which thrive in the unique microclimate of St. Luke's Church in the West Village. The garden was created in 1842, and today it's a labyrinthine oasis that's sometimes called the Healing Garden due to its peaceful aura and lush landscape.