Central Park
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New York’s “backyard,” an 843-acre swathe of green, provides recreation and beauty for over two million visitors each year. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, the park took 16 years to create and involved the planting of over 500,000 trees and shrubs, the hauling in of vast amounts of stone and earth to form hills, lakes, and meadows, and the building of 30 stone-and-iron bridges and arches.
The Visitor Center is open 10am–5pm Tue–Sun, and can be contacted on: 212 794 6564
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1. Great Lawn
1. Great LawnThis is a 13-acre oval of green lawn. In summer, free concerts by the Metropolitan Opera and New York Philharmonic draw as many as 100,000 people.
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2. Bethesda Terrace
Overlooking the lake and Ramble, the ornate terrace and its fountain are the focal point of the park. On the adjacent tree-lined mall inline skaters often show off acrobatic stunts.
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3. Belvedere Castle
A 19th-century stone castle atop a rock, complete with towers and turrets, offers peerless views in all directions. Inside is the Henry Luce Nature Observatory with exhibits covering the surprisingly diverse wildlife found in the park.
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4. The Ramble
This wooded 37 acres of land is crisscrossed by paths and streams and is a paradise for bird-watchers. Over 270 species have been spotted in Central Park, which is on the Atlantic migration flyway.
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5. Reservoir
The 106-acre lake is rimmed by a 1.6-mile (5-km) running track used by joggers. It is the largest of the park’s five lakes and ponds, which include Conservatory Water, where model boat races are held each Saturday.
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6. Strawberry Fields
This peaceful garden area was created by Yoko Ono in memory of John Lennon, who lived in the nearby Dakota apartments. Gifts for the memorial came from all over the world.
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7. Conservatory Garden
An elegant 6-acre formal garden with fountains and beautiful displays of flowering trees, bulbs, annuals, and perennials is at its best in the spring, when crabapples, tulips, and azaleas are in bloom.
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8. Hans Christian Andersen Statue
Children’s storytelling sessions are held here in the summer. Other activities for youngsters include nature workshops, a vintage carousel, and a marionette theater.
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9. Wildlife Center
This conservation center and children’s zoo has three climate zones. The space features a rainforest and over 100 species, including seals, monkeys, and penguins.
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10. Delacorte Theater
The New York Public Theater presents two “Shakespeare in the Park” productions in July and August. Free tickets are available on the day, but get in line early. Other free park entertainment includes a SummerStage series of popular music and dance.
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Before I saw it, I was a bit dubious about how impressive Central Park could be, given that it's in the middle of city in very limited space. But it's amazing - you can see the buildings around the edge, but somehow they don't impinge on the sense of being in a big space. Bits of the park are surprisingly wild, too. I recommend the Bethseda Fountain (there was a wedding taking place when I was there, which was odd but nice), and - if you go in winter - the ice rink, both for going on and people watching. The zoo is small but perfectly formed too.
1 month ago
I visited New York in July 2007. It's one of the best places I have ever seen. Central Park impressed me so much. I love the nature and the threes from that park. It's so beautiful and so large. I saw that there many people from New York like to go there to walk in the park, to relax and to breathe fresh air.
about 3 months ago
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