Central Park

Upper West Side, New York – No place epitomizes the spirit of New York City quite like Central Park, an 843-acre swath of green that stretches from 59th Street to 110th Street, making it a much-needed and much-loved escape for the city’s overworked urbanites.

Seven bodies of water and countless sprawling lawns provide a playground for everyone from adventurous young professionals to families, aspiring creative types, and tourists looking to kick back and enjoy some quality leisure time.

Those in the mood for lazy-day sunbathing or napping under trees will find plenty of cozy corners to do so, while more athletic types take to the park’s streets for biking, running, and rollerblading, or flood the baseball diamonds, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and free public pool that doubles as a skating rink in the winter.

The park’s winding forest paths in The Brambles attract hip young couples looking for a romantic stroll, as do the park’s exquisite meandering gardens, the quaint Turtle Pond and its inhabitants, and the whimsical Belvedere Castle, a miniature fortress that will make anyone forget they’re in one of the busiest urban centers in the world.

Visitors hungry for more action can rent rowboats on the lake, take a ride on the legendary carousel, or watch the sea lions laze in the center courtyard of Central Park Zoo.

While tourists tend to take in the park from the comfort of horse-drawn carriages, in-the-know New Yorkers prefer to sip cocktails at the iconic Boathouse restaurant, enjoy Shakespeare in the Park at the open-air Delacorte Theater, or critique the showy chapeaux at the various fundraising events that draw the city’s socialites.

A day spent picnicking and relaxing in Sheep Meadow with a good bottle of wine and great company should be enough to convince any visitor that they’ve found the heart and soul of New York City within Central Park.    ← read less