Bow Bridge in Central park at sunny day, New York City Dollarphotoclub
Central Park
There is always so much to do in the Big Apple everywhere you look, so if you need to slow down a bit from all the hectic chaos of the city, all you need to do is step inside the 843-acre urban park oasis between 5th Avenue and Central Park West.
Central Park is as pivotal a landmark to New York City as the Empire State Building, being the first major landscaped public park in the country, established in 1843. Since then, the park has lured millions of tourists and locals alike into the meticulously manicured gardens and amazingly diverse attractions hidden within the trees.
Jog the paved pathways, picnic on the lawns, or take your dog through the park on a nice Spring day. If you enjoy nature, boat along the lake, sit and watch the flowing waterfall at the Loch, explore Shakespeare Garden, or sit and read on Cherry Hill or the Great Lawn. Explore iconic Central Park features like the Mall and Literary Walk or the dozens of sculptures and fountains that decorate the landscape. See beautiful renditions of Alice in Wonderland, Simon Bolivar, Ludwig van Beethoven, the hero dog Balto, Romeo and Juliet, and the gorgeous Bethesda Fountain to name a few.
For groups with children, have some fun at the carousel or the many playgrounds. Visit the rides and attractions at the Victorian Gardens Amusement Park and then head over to the Central Park Zoo or even the pool. The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Belvedere Castle, Wollman Rink, and more offer visitors a diversity of entertainment for every season. Play a game of volleyball or tennis on the courts, catch a concert or a play at the amphitheater, or take a custom or group tour of the park to learn more about the ecology, history, and design.
To ensure you see everything you want, plan this portion of your trip ahead and download or print a map of Central Park before you visit. This quintessential Big Apple stop will give you an escape from the bustling city while still getting to know New York. Open from 6 am to 1 am, be sure to save plenty of time for this stop!
