Morningside Heights, New York City

Exploring new places can be great fun especially when it's something a little different. When I find something interesting, I love to share

Our Tour of the Morningside Heights Neighborhood of New York City

Morningside Heights is located on the Northwest side of the borough of Manhattan. It is sometimes considered to be part of greater Harlem.

We took a bus tour of Harlem which included the area known as Morningside Heights. If you love beautiful architecture, gardens, churches and sculptures you will love our tour.

What is located in there? Columbia University, Grant's Tomb, Cathedral of St. John the Divine and oh so much more.I

Sit back and enjoy my photos and take a mini tour of the area.

Map Showing The Location of Morningside Heights

On this map, Harlem is the area designated by the dotted black outline. Morningside Heights which is sometimes considered part of greater Harlem, lies to the southeast with views of the Hudson River. I have circled it for clarity.

The Cathedral Church Of St. John The Divine - A House of Prayer For All People

St. John The Divine

Saint John The Divine is an Episcopal Church, however, you will see "A house of prayer for all people" on St. John's literature. The church welcomes people of all faiths and denominations. When we visited, there was a menorah alongside the choir area.

Once inside you will marvel at the size of the cathedral. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the United States. The stone work, woodwork and stained glass windows are amazing.

The cathedral is considered unfinished and it is estimated it will take another 200 years to finish. The church is being built entirely with donations and it will take that long to get the money to finish it.

Check Out Some More Photos of the Cathedral of St. John's The Divine

Side of Front Entrance

1 / 9

The Children's Sculpture Garden

Peach Sculpture

The central sculpture depicts the triumph of good over evil.

Surrounding the main statue and around the outside perimeter are sculptures created by New York City school children. The Ring of Freedom is a rope like sculpture with statues at intervals. All of these was made by children in the lower grades. The outside sculptures were made by the upper grades.

Examples of the Sculptures in the Ring of Freedom and Around the Walk

Monkey sculpture made by a lower grade student

1 / 7

Scroll to Continue

Red Amarnath (Amaranthus) Sambar

Review of the Vactidy Blitz V8 Cordless Stick Vacuum

The Virtual Anniversary!

Harlem Meer

Harlem Meer is a lake located on the Northern most end of Central Park. It is a stocked catch and release fish pond.

"Meer" means "lake" in German.

French Garden in Central Park, New York City

English Garden - Inspired by "The Secret Garden" a classic children's book

Sculpture donated by Frances Hodgson Burnett (November 1849 - October 1924) to the children of the City of New York.

She is the author of "Little Lord Fauntleroy" and "The Secret Garden". The fountain and garden represent the Secret Garden.

The Italian Garden

Wisteria vines on trellis in background. Rows of crab apple trees line both sides and separate the French, English and Italian gardens. One row of crab apples is pink, the other is white, when in bloom.

Under the Crab Apple Trees - Rows of Crab Apple Trees Separate the French, English and Italian Gardens.

Our tour guide told us that one row has white blossoms and one row has pink blossoms in the Spring. When you walk under the trees in bloom, you are walking on a bed a of petals, being showered by petals.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2012 Ellen Gregory

Did you enjoy our little tour?

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on April 25, 2013:

I was in New York last summer and really enjoyed my walks there. Great pictures.

Pete Schultz on October 31, 2012:

I enjoyed a visit to Morningside Heights, and learning a bit more about NYC, Thanks.

getmoreinfo on October 27, 2012:

Thanks for the tour on Morningside Heights, New York City and the photos are great.

WriterJanis2 on October 22, 2012:

I loved all of your beautiful photos. They look so professional.

Marika from Cyprus on October 22, 2012:

Wow some beautiful places!