The Upper Terrace is the elevated stone deck at the park's Sixth Avenue end, shaded by London planes and set slightly above the lawn — which makes the morning class quieter, cooler and less of a spectacle than the packed evening one. It is the same free program with the same rotating roster of city instructors, just at the hour when midtown is still mostly delivery trucks and dog walkers. If crowds put you off the evening session, take this one instead.
What to expect
Arrive early enough to check in and stake out terrace space, then roll out your mat on the paving under the trees. You get a full hour of all-levels flow with a rotating instructor, ending as the lunch crowd begins to arrive. The terrace surface is harder than grass, so a thicker mat or a folded towel is worth packing.
Good to know
- B, D, F or M to 42nd St-Bryant Park, or the 7 to Fifth Avenue for the Sixth Avenue end
- Bring your own mat — none are provided, and the terrace is stone rather than grass
- Free to attend; pre-registering online just speeds check-in
- Quieter and shadier than the evening lawn class, and easier to get a good spot
- Step-free access from the Sixth Avenue sidewalk onto the terrace
- Pack water; the park's fountains are the nearest refill
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Common questions
How is this different from the lawn class?
Same free program, different setting and hour — the morning session is on the paved Upper Terrace and draws a much smaller crowd than the evening lawn class.
Do I need experience?
No. It's an all-levels class taught to a public crowd, with modifications offered throughout.
Is a towel enough instead of a mat?
It'll do, but the terrace is stone. A proper mat is a lot more comfortable here than on the lawn.
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