Central Park

I assume that Central Park has been reviewed several [hundred] times but I was there this weekend for a wedding ceremony in the park, so I'm adding my unnecessary two cents.

Entering the W. 72nd entrance, you can walk the well traveled path towards Strawberry Fields, the memorial site for John Lennon. There's a mosaic with the words "Imagine," his arguably, most well known song.

Continuing along the path, past the Daniel Webster statue and marker, you may past Wagner's Cove. Winding stairs lead to a slightly hidden off "cove." Right now in September, the lake water is covered over in green. And if you're lucky, there won't be rubbish, floating or otherwise. Some bushes obscure the sitting area.

Back along the path, it winds down along to Cherry Hill, a huge lawn, towards the large expanse view of the lake. With the lake, there's the option of row boats, and even a gondolier boat, your gondolier might be texting while he sings theatrically though, as I witnessed on Friday during the rehearsal for the wedding.

September has been a lovely time for the park, sunny, yet a touch of cool air. The people in the park, including tourists, have been very friendly, and welcome participants in the wedding, some pulled up on their boats to watch the ceremony.

There was a concert right next to our wedding party which started pre- and continued post-wedding, welcome and enjoyable. I'd recommend CP for any day, including on a special day like a wedding.

So yeah, everyone has their own place to escape reality, a place they fell in love with, a place they call home. My hot spot: Central Park. From the birds to the trees, the trees to the grass, the grass to the rocks, the rocks to the lakes, the lakes to the bridges, and the all the bugs and beyond...there's no place like it. Yes, there are millions/billions of parks on this planet but there's something very special about this one.

Smacked dead center in a hustling city like New York, Central Park is a world directed by calmness, music and sport. We all know of the luxurious shop windows of Fifth Avenue, the crowded sidewalks on Times Square, and the incredible shows on and off Broadway, but nevertheless finding a bench in the shade is a great prize for tourists as well.

New York shouts for a rest. Shouts for a bench in the shade and a coffee sitting pleasantly on the grass. But the curious thing is that everything exists in the Big Apple. In the middle of the middle, there, near all those looking for a rest, is Central Park. With its lakes, grass, little squirrels climbing up the trees… it looks like a novel, but it is real.

Why is this my area of escape? When I was a little younger, I thought I had discovered the place where I wanted to be proposed to inside Central Park. Its a very calm area, near 5th Ave, by the water. There's a bridge there and I thought someday I want my future husband to propose to me on that bridge. Sounds silly, I know, but whatever...that's me! Anyway, that really isn't the reason why I find it to be my escape now...

Last year, I was told that a malignant tumor was found on my spine, which is now full blown cancer. I felt alone, scared, angry...one can only imagine. One morning, I stood in New York and went out to the park...all alone. I laid out on the grass and stared at the sky. No one was really around and I just took in a deep breath and asked God why? Why is it always me? I was angry, angry at Him, angry at everyone. It's not like I wanted all the bad things that happened to me happen to someone else...its just that I didn't know how much more I can take. My story can be heartbreaking, but after a few hours alone in the park, I began to realize...it's not that bad. I grew this unbreakable inner strength. Then and there was when I decided I can fight this, I can beat this...and to this day I'm still fighting and someday, I will win.


That's MY story...so whenever you're in the city, whenever you need to find your story, whenever you need a break...Central Park is always just a hop, skip, and a jump away. **Remember its in the CENTER and the core of the biggest apple of them all.**

One of the greatest park on the world. I love it there. The atmosphere is unforgettable.

Erg mooi en rustgevend. In de zomer en winter kun je er lekker gezellig doorheen.

Central Park in the winter was magical. It was covered in show and many of the paths were icy walkways...not for clumsy feet or people afraid of cold air. With the windchill it felt like 10 degrees. The park was beautiful and many people opted to take a carriage ride instead of walk through. We spend about 2 hours total and managed to cover about a third to half of the park leaving after getting to the Belveder Castle. The Ramble was one of my favorite parts of the park. It's a section with winding pathways that go between tall trees. A lot of the icy paths had been sprinkled with sand and this made it much easier to walk without worrying about taking a tumble. Inside the Ramble street noise is drowned and we only saw about 3 or 4 other folks here. If you want an uncrowded Central Park, winter is the best season. Because of the cold, most folks opt to hang out in coffee shops instead of on park benches. There is a really great warm hideout within the park in the lower half. The Chess and Checkers House. It is full of games, tables, maps and brochures. It's a great place to sit down, play a game or map out the rest of your visit in the park...not to mention, thaw your toes. There were two people in there to help with any questions also and about 8-10 people playing games already! There are two places to ice skate in the park, we saw one and it looked like a lot of fun and also not nearly as crowded as the Rockefeller Ice Skate Rink. I wish we would've gone to the park earlier and could've seen more before it got dark. If you like Cities, and you love the Outdoors...Central Park is a great place to go to get a break from the hustle and bustle of New York.

Although Rokefeller Center is fabulous, you might like to try a little ride through central park. You have seen it in the movies... a horse drawn carriage ride. However, the ride is a bit short. I bet it is even better with snow! I liked the ride and out driver was Irish... he was pretty cool.

You could always walk through times square for a Christmas rush that you have never seen before. Or, go to Macy's and have dinner in the Cellar restaurant (in the cellar). Macy's has the great christmas scenes in the windows. Have fun!

One of my favorite places in the city! You can come in at any entrance at any time of the day and see tons of people doing their own things. I've sat on benches and watched yoga and martial arts classes, runners, dog walkers, knitting circles, sunbathers, and the occasional soapbox preacher. A lot of artists come and paint too, and usually don't mind if you watch. There are a ton of pathways, and you never have to set your foot on the same one twice. It is the ideal place in New York to people watch. Best of all, its free! Go on a nice day and bring something to sit on. There are plenty of playgrounds if you have kids.
Advice: Look at a map of the park before your trip. It is too big to see all in one day, so if you want to go to the skating rink, or to baseball fields, or the basin, make sure you know where they are. Also, don't go into the park at night by yourself. It is not wise.

A great way to escape the whole city atmosphere. Beautiful place, in a major metropolitan city. At 843 acres you could spend a good portion of your day walking around this park. It weird to think that this place is still around, I would have thought they would have torn it down to build more buildings. But this is a part of history. There are two ice skating rinks, a wildlife sanctuary and a playground for children. As well there is expansive grassy areas to relax or partake in a sport. Take a carriage ride too, they are actually pretty fun. Ask to see a condo on the Upper East Side, you will be amazed at how nice and expensive they are.

Theres nothing better than strolling around Central Park during the day. Its free. Theres usually something going on. I've seen painters, performers, people making balloon animals and much more. Theres lakes, and playgrounds and a tribute (i think it was anyways) to John Lennon. The Met is at Central Park and you can get in there relatively cheap (I've spent hours and hours there) Check out the Obelisk in the back. Brought over from Egypt.
One of my favorite things to do in Central Park is to walk around and think of all the movies I've seen it in. And the fact that you are surrounded by these metal and concrete buildings yet there is this paradise here. Its always a stopping place for me when I go to New York.

The big Central Park is a must-see if you visit New York. In the park,
you can sit at a bench to look at passerbys, ride a horse carriage
(cost money, I have not tried myself, but it was neat to watch them go
by), chase squirrels, play ball or frisbees, ride a bike, jog, feed the
birds, walk your dogs, row a boat, or a remote control boat, take
photos, eat ice creams, or just lay on the grass (when the weather is
nice). You can also watch Pale Male, the famous red tail hawk of New
York and his mate from near the pond along the 5th Ave side of the
park, their nest is on the face of a building on 5th Ave, and you are
sure to see other bird watchers can be seen, so you may not even need
your own binoculars.

It's
just a real nice park to relax and enjoy yourself. Even if you never go
to parks this is a park to go to. On a sunny weekend in the springtime,
the flowers would be blooming, and the natives would be out in numbers.

    Central Park in the fall is a relaxing haven for all New Yorkers. First, its really the only place in Manhattan where you can get away from the cars, towers, and busyness. In the fall (and especially for a newcomer to the East Coast), the changing of the seasons really brings you elsewhere. Also, New York really does it well in the Fall and Winter. There's the skating rink and the lights are up, making a comfortable and not-so-tacky feeling. I'd go every chance I get, and I can't wait to see the snow fall on the trees.