Central Park Reviews (New York, New York)

Central Park is a nice break from the city.

Melville, Saskatchewan

February 5, 2012

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Central Park is a very large park located on Manhattan island. A park is always what you make of it. There are the typical things to do like strolling on the grass and climbing large rocks. There are also attractions you can visit here. There ...Read more

From journal A few days in New York

Central Park, Plan it wisely!

by Rosario Concha

Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

November 21, 2011

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Central Park is always beautiful, but I do recommend that you plan your visit wisely!I went there on a tuesday during the fall, and some of the attractions were closed (like the carousel and the chess tables), and after walking around for a while, ...Read more

From journal Trip to New York City

The Great Outdoors in the Heart of NYC!

by RLB2

Scarborough, England, United Kingdom

August 21, 2011

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Best of IgoUgo I would think that most people have heard of Central Park in New York City, and if they haven't they will when they get there. It's a public park in the centre of Upper Manhattan that was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux in 1858. ...Read more I would think that most people have heard of Central Park in New York City, and if they haven't they will when they get there. It's a public park in the centre of Upper Manhattan that was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux in 1858. It covers an area of around 843 acres and is 2.5 miles long and 0.5miles wide. I think it really is considered to be an oasis within the city and it provides not only a place for runners, joggers, cyclists and roller skaters to exercise outside, but also an area to relax and take the kids to play. in fact if you were visiting New York with a family it would be a perfect place to spend an afternoon.

Being that we were only in NYC for a couple of days, we decided that we should try and have a walk from one end to the other, so we got the underground to Harlam and wandered into Central Park from the north. As we were only walking through the park to get a feeling for it we didn't have time to take advantage of all of the amenities that the park has to offer. There are lots of walking tracks and bridle paths. two ice skating rinks, one of which is a swimming pool in July & August. We were there in May so we didn't get to have a look at it as a pool. There are several artifical, altough they are natural looking, lakes. One of which is called the reservoir and has a great running track all the way around the edge. There is a huge amphitheater called the Delacorte, which shows Shakespeare in the Park, I was really gutted about missing one of the performances, that are by all accounts fantastic. As if that wasn't enough there is also Central Park Zoo, which is open 10am till 5.30pm in the summer and is only $12 for an adult.

When I go back to New York I will make sure to at very least run and around the track in Central Park. Our visit was so brief that I feel like I didn't get the best from it. What we did get though was a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. That isn't to say that Central Park was deserted, it was really quite busy, but it was a different kind of busy, it was people enjoying themselves in a recerational way. The park is also a great way to cut out some of the busier streets and you can just dip in and out of it on your way somewhere else. It was also a much cooler place to be than the concrete jungle outside it, so if the temperatures are soaring everywhere else head to the lakeside in Central Park.

Safety in Central Park is ok, during the day at least as long as you are in a group you will be ok. But at night I would avoid it unless there is something specific going on there. There had been a few attacks on women prior to our visit and we were advised to avoid certain areas during the day and the whole place after dark. Having said that I didn't feel unsafe when we were there, so I think if you just go with your gut instincts you should be ok. Close

From journal New York Baby

Peaceful Central Park

by insptrtaz

Ocala, Florida

April 28, 2011

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My daughter and I had an amazingly peaceful time walking through a portion of Central Park. When we go back this summer, we are going to dedicate a whole day to the park as there is so much more to see than what we were able to see in the few hours ...Read more

Into The Woods

by Liam Hetherington

Manchester, United Kingdom

December 2, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo I have been to some cities in my time which have forgotten one of the key things to make a city liveable: parks. Green spaces provide a heavenly respite from the monochrome city. As New York is perhaps the finest example of a modern city it should ...Read more I have been to some cities in my time which have forgotten one of the key things to make a city liveable: parks. Green spaces provide a heavenly respite from the monochrome city. As New York is perhaps the finest example of a modern city it should come as no surprise that it has perhaps the finest example of a city park. Central Park is adored equally by residents and tourists.

Central Park is an 843 acre rectangle of greenery slapped down right in the heart of Manhattan, 2.5 miles long and 0.5 mile wide. Yet it somehow manages to feel more spacious than this, as though one has stepped through a magic portal and been magically transported away from the concrete jungle to the woods of Narnia. Where the trees are close packed you cannot see or hear the surrounding city at all. Where the trees give way to open spaces the surrounding buildings can be seen above the tree-line, but only in the distance, like the peaks of some far-away mountain chain. The twisty paths and the frequent obstructions (bodies of water, transverse roads, cordoned-off lawns) combine to make the pedestrian take long, looping, circuitous routes. There is a way to find out roughly where you are by reference to a unique code on each lamp-post, but both times we visited we ended up emerging quite some difference from where we thought we would. Obviously, this is not a problem during the day, but at night the darkness and shadows (and recollections of lurid headlines from the Taxi Driver New York of the ‘70s and ‘80s) combined to make me feel very edgy. I should state for the record however that not once did we witness any form of anti-social behaviour in the park.

There are many iconic locations within Cantral Park, immortalised by hundreds of TV series or films. In fact there may even be one more soon – we came across a filmcrew parked across the northern reaches of the Mall shooting a picture entitled Friends With Benefits and waiting for ‘the talent’ (Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis) to arrive. The woods are dotted with expanses of water, each with unique names to tell them apart: Turtle Pond, The Lake, Conservatory Water, Harlem Meer, The Pool, The Loch and the massive Reservoir that almost cuts the park in two two-thirds of its way up. It is also cut back to provide several open spaces: the Great Lawn, the Sheep Meadow, Strawberry Fields (devoted to the memory of John Lennon). There are also entertainment facilities: the ice rink, the zoo, the Delacorte Theater and Swiss Cottage, the Belvedere castle and – for the hungry – the Loeb Boathouse. But most of all it is a recreational utility that New Yorkers always strive to get the best out of. People sunbathe on the lawns, read under the shade of trees, picnic in the Ramble, jog around the circumference of the Reservoir, walk their dogs, play baseball against rival teams or just come to walk and talk. Here we saw what new York does when it is not busy making money and getting ahead. Other than possibly the Statue of Liberty I would say that Central Park is the thing to see in New York. Only when the city is New York can the contrast of escaping from the city in a park be so great.
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From journal New York, New York - It's a Wonderful Town!

Youve gotta take a while out to see Central Park

by alanmack37

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

October 12, 2010

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If your in NYC please make the effort to visit this landmark park. What can I say about this park? It's huge! Whats so amazing is that when youre in the park there is so much to do. You pass several street vendors selling ice creams, snacks, drinks ...Read more If your in NYC please make the effort to visit this landmark park. What can I say about this park? It's huge! Whats so amazing is that when youre in the park there is so much to do. You pass several street vendors selling ice creams, snacks, drinks and frequent entertainers such as clowns and face painters. I came here on a hot summer's day and I was amazed on how many people come here just to tan on the lawn. lol I mean there's no beach here but there were many people in a separate fenced area in their bathing suits. If youre hungry id recommend one of the corn dogs sold by the vendors in the Hot food vans and carts. They taste divine.

You can stroll around the park with the kids and take them to the children's playground, take a boat trip, run, tan, relax, explore, watch magicians, watch striving musicians play music or even sit on the park bench to read. At Central Park they have 150 acres of lakes streams and 130 acres of woodlands, lots of beautiful and exotic plants and the gardeners keep a good upkeep of the park regularly introducing bulbs, shrubs, flowers and trees; maintain 9,000 benches, 26 ballfields and 21 playgrounds; preserve 55 sculptures and monuments, as well as 36 bridges.

The park is also very clean and dispite what i read or seen in the movies, relatively clean and safe. Police and park attendants regularly patrol the areas. Thats not to suggest i would come here at night, but through the day what an amazing experience. In my opinion you should take a guide to make sure that you cover what you want to see. When you stroll through the park its amazing to see the things that you watched in movies and you ll be saying "Oh thats out of that film".

As the park is so big and covers a large area, which encircles many of New York's own areas you will need to give yourself a few hours to see what you want to. Also there are several subway stations to choose from as the Park is divided up into zones. I used the 96th street station at Central Park west but it doesnt matter which one you choose as you will be sure not to come back to the same spot due to the long walk, just bring a map and hop on your nearest one wherever you are at the end.

One guided tour id thoroughly recommend is the "On Location Tours Featuring Central Park Movie Sites" which will cover the areas shown in just a number of famous movies that were shot here. It costs around 15 dollars and is a great enjoyable experience. You must bring your camera and a lot of film or memory card because trust me youre going to be snapping non stop. You can do a bit of searching at your hotel for special offers.

Wherever you are in the city buy a metrocard. I buy the $27 a week card even if im there for a few days as you save money and are entitled to use all transport for that week.
I think I basically covered the basics of this park, I can only imagine when it snows here. It's beautiful. Close

From journal New York on a budget

An Outdoor Retreat in the Middle of the City

by airynfaerie

St. Augustine, Florida

October 30, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo 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 ...Read more 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 Close

From journal Favorite Free Attractions in the Big Apple

What a Marvelous Place!

by wanderer 2005

Phoenix, Arizona

June 17, 2009

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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 ...Read more

From journal The city that never sleeps...and never goes hungry...

Be Sure to Catch SummerStage!

by uppereastside

New York, New York

September 9, 2008

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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 ...Read more

A Must See

by oldscratch

New York, New York

June 24, 2008

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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. ...Read more

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Central Park

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