Stargazing with AAA at Carl Schurz Park (Manhattan)

The Amateur Astronomers Association of New York hosts observing sessions, free and open to the public, one Friday night (rain date Saturday) each month from May through October at Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan. Carl Schurz Park is located along East End Avenue at the end of East 86th Street. The park has a lovely view of a lot of sky above the East River, Roosevelt Island, Queens, and the Queensborough and Triborough bridges.

We meet on the park esplanade (John Finley Walk), overlooking the East River. The 86th Street entrance to the park is the closest to where we set up, though that entrance requires climbing stairs to reach the esplanade. One may enter the park at many other points, including 87th Street, thereby avoiding the stairs.

2026 Observing Dates:

• May 1
• June 5
• July 11 (Saturday; Tanabata Festival)
• August 7
• September 4
• October 2

Directions

Carl Schurz Park is located at the end of East 86th Street in Manhattan (X on the map below).

We meet on the park esplanade (John Finley Walk), overlooking the East River. The 86th Street entrance to the park is the closest to where we set up, though that entrance requires climbing stairs to reach the esplanade. One may enter the park at many other points, including 87th street, thereby avoiding the stairs.

Subway

• Take the new Second Avenue Q line to 86th Street. Walk east three blocks to the park. The Q line 86th Street station is wheelchair accessible.
• Take the Lexington Avenue express (4 or 5) or local (6) to 86th Street. Walk east or take the M86 crosstown bus to York Avenue. The park is one block farther east.
• Take the Broadway local (1 or 9), Sixth Avenue local (B), or Eighth Avenue local (C) to 86th Street. Take the M86 crosstown bus to York Avenue. The park is one block farther east.

Bus

• Crosstown: The M86 runs along 86th Street to York Avenue. Walk one block farther east to East End Avenue. The M79 runs on 81st Street on the West Side and 79th Street on the East Side. Take it to East End Avenue and walk uptown.
• Up or downtown: Buses run uptown along First (M15), Third (M101, M102, and M103), and Madison (M1, M2, M3, and M4) avenues. Go to 86th Street and walk or take the M86 crosstown east, as above. Buses run downtown along Second (M15), Lexington (M101, M102, and M103), and Fifth (M1, M2, M3, and M4) avenues. Go to 86th Street and walk or take the M86 crosstown east, as above.
  The M31 runs up and down York.