- jim
- First Reviewer
- 4 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
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Editor Pick
An Outdoor Retreat in the Middle of the City
- October 30, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
airynfaerie from St. Augustine, Florida
One of my favorite things to do in New York City is to take a little time enjoying Central Park. After soaking in the crazy lively city streets, the excitement, the attractions, the sites - I take a stroll in the park, sit, relax, and breathe. It's such a wonderful getaway from the hectic city, but still is in the heart of everything. I love being able to walk around thinking I'm in the great outdoors, then looking up and seeing beautiful skyscrapers towering overhead just on the perimeters.
There are so many things to see and do in this massive park, that one would could never see it all in just one trip. Whether you want a place for a relaxing stroll, invigorating workout, a family getaway to the zoo, or a quiet place to picnic, Central Park offers unending things to do. For runners, there are several popular paths to enjoy - the Reservoir (1.58 miles), Bridle Loop (2.5 miles), Full Lopp (6.03 miles) and many other distances in between. As soon as you enter the park, you'll see cyclists, runners, joggers, dog-walkers, and even pedicabs using the maze of pathways within.
There are plenty of things to enjoy without spending a dollar, but if you want to splurge a bit, enjoy a trip to the wildlife center and children's zoo or take a horse-drawn carriage and dine at the world famous Tavern on the Green for brunch.
Several outdoor art installations have been exhibited here in the past, and during the fall the colorful display of the changing leaves is worth a cool walk through the park. During the winter don't miss the Wollman Ice Skating Rink where you can glide along the ice with an unbelievable setting of the NYC skyline above your head.
Whatever amount of time you have during a visit to the city, be sure to take a little time to enjoy Central Park, even if it's just a pass through to another side of the city, as it's an unexpected retreat from the busy streets and gives you a glimpse into the recreational lives of the locals.
• http://www.centralpark.com/
• Open 6:00 am to 1:00 am
• Located from Central Park South (59th St.) to 110th St. at the northern end and from 5th Ave. on the East Side to Central Park West (8th Ave.) on the West Side
• Free Admission
From journal Favorite Free Attractions in the Big Apple
What a Marvelous Place!
- June 17, 2009
- Rated 4 of 5 by
wanderer 2005 from Phoenix, Arizona
What can I say about Central Park? Gosh…it’s such a wonderful place to relax or jog, or just lounge on the grass and enjoy your day off.
This park is huge and there is something for everyone.
We started at the end with the zoo and ended up walking past the reservoir, looking for Belvedere Castle (how DO you hide a castle?).
The great lawn is a wide open space with baseball diamonds and other sports related areas. My favorite part, are the trails that wind all around…kind of like your own private jungle. There are bridges and twisty trails and hills and lawns and jogging trails and so much more!
The park has made appearances in many movies including, Home Alone 2, Elf, The out of Towners, Annie Hall and many more. Most recently, Bride Wars and one movie dating all the way back to 1908 in the movie Father gets in the game.
The park is over 150 years old, spans 843 acres and is 100% man-made. There are 17 restrooms throughout the grounds, 21 playgrounds, a zoo, 7 outdoor eating establishments, a turtle pond, a castle, an amphitheater, 7 bodies of water, 9000 benches, 36 bridges, a recreation center, a gift shop and an homage to John Lennon.
We were here in the spring and it was a beautiful day to take a stroll. We entered the park by the zoo and continued west to Strawberry Fields and then north to the reservoir.
There are hot dog carts scattered throughout and that’s what we opted for….I love a good street dog.
Just bring your walking shoes. There’s a ton of area to cover, so perhaps a picnic lunch would be great, too!
You can view and print a map online at www.centralparknyc.org
Park hours are 6am-1am 7 days a week.
From journal The city that never sleeps...and never goes hungry.....
Be Sure to Catch SummerStage!
- September 9, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
uppereastside from New York, New York
If you're in NYC in the summer-time, be sure to get a schedule of the events happening at SummerStage, which is just off 69th St. & 5th Ave. Most of the events are free, but even for the ones that aren't, you can just bring a picnic and sit right outside the gates and hear the music just fine. There do tend to be long lines for the free shows, so plan to get there a bit early
A Must See
- June 24, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
oldscratch from New York, New York
What can be said about Central Park that hasn't already been said? A walk through the famous tree-lined mall continues to amaze tourists and locals alike, and a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art located withing the park is sure to inspire. Leave work and go now.
Central Park
- February 14, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
sizemoretravel from Jacksonville, Florida
Central Park is a huge manmade park right in the center of Manhattan. On TV (Law and Order especially), it is the site where bodies are found.
I am happy to say that I have been through Central Park many times and no bodies. Feel safe to wander through the park in daylight hours. It is the home to joggers, cyclists and rollerbladers. If you have children who love dogs, this is the place to go during good weather. Everyone walks their dogs in the park. You will see every breed that you've heard of and some that you've never seen before.
The park is home of a great little zoo at Fifth Ave and 64th St. Admission is:
Adults: $8
Seniors: $4
Children (3-12) $4
Hours vary depending on season
You can dine at the Boathouse Restaurant (shown recently in the Movie 27 Dresses) and also rent row boats during nice weather.
At Central Park West between 71st and 74th, you can see Strawberry Fields (dedicated to John Lennon). Nearby are the Dakota Apartments where Lennon was gunned down and where Yoko Ono still resides.
In the winter, you can skate at Wollman Rink (much less expensive that touristy Rockefeller Center rink).
The most important thing that you must do is get a NY hotdog. I never go to the park without getting one (approximately $1.50). Best hotdog ever!!!
From journal Best of New York City