Central Park, So Much To See and Do !
Written: Nov 17 '02 (Updated Mar 27 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great for couples, families, or a quiet walk alone.
Cons: Need two days and more to see it all.
The Bottom Line: You can spend days in Central Park and just scratch the surface. The fun about walking in it is that you will always discover something new to do and see.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Central Park |
When I first sat down to plan a review of Central Park I said to myself. "You know it well and there is a lot you can talk about." Upon further thought and planning I realized there was too much to talk about. If I gave a complete review about Central Park it would be pages upon pages long. I have decided I must shorten things a bit and just continue with subsequent reviews, about it, in the near future. But don't go away I have much to say.
SOME CENTRAL PARK FACTS
...Construction was started in the 1850s by planners
Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux.
...it is all man made
...it was built on 843 acres of muddy swamp and rocky outcrop
...it starts at 59st and goes north to 110th Street
...it is bounded on the east by 5th Ave and the West by what was 8th Ave.
...you can get around by walking, running, bicycling,skateboarding, roller blading, carriage rides, and horse back
...you can also ice skate at Wolmann Rink, ride a carousel, take out a row boat, or take a real Gondola ride with songs being sung by the gondolier.
...since 1908 over 170 movies have scenes with central Park in it. More than any other park in the world.
...there are 12 ball fields
...21 playgrounds
...2 zoos
...a castle
...an ice skating rink
...a carousel
...a huge fountain and many small ones
...boathouses
...two upscale restaurants
...band shells
...scenic gardens
...many formal gardens
...many many sculptures, statues, and memorials
...within two blocks of the park are
The museum of Natural History
The Hayden Planetarium
Cathedral of St John the Devine
The Dakota apartments
Lincoln Center with
Alice Tully Hall
Avery Fisher Hall
Metropolitan Opera House
New York State Theatre
Philharmonic Hall
...on the East side of the park is the
...Guggenheim Museum
...Cooper-Hewitt Museum
...Gracie Mansion
...International Center of Photography
...Whitney Museum of American Art
...Museum of the City of New York
...Metropolitan Museum of Art
...Jewish Museum
...Frick Collection
There is even more than that but it's a good start. On November 3rd my business brought me into the city. I was at the Pierre Hotel on 62nd and 5th Ave. I was able to take a break for a couple of hours and watch the Marathon runners. After running through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, and back to Manhattan again they entered the park at 90th Street and ran through the park most of the way to the finish line at Tavern on the Green. People were all lined up watching, waving, and giving applause to the leaders and then all those who participated. This is what Central Park is about. Participating or just watching. There is so much to do and see here. I also want to mention that Tavern on the Green happens to be a wonderful place to visit and dine. The decor is amazing!! It's a very romantic place to go to.
A nice walk is to come into the park at 72nd street on the west side with a map. Go to Strawberry Fields. This is a small area that was put up with private money and honors John Lennon. Be sure to look for the mosaic "Imagine".
Not far from here is Bethesda Terrace, a must see area. The Loeb Boathouse for a lovely lunch is recommended. Row boats and bike rental are nearby.
If you then start downtown you will pass Sheep Meadow. It's name if from the days sheep actually did graze in the area. This is a huge area of fifteen acres with hundreds of people quietly sunning. Many are business people grabbing a few rays before going back into the office. As you walk down town you'll see many horse carriages going by. Be sure to notice the uniqueness of all of them. The men who design and keep them polished are very proud of their work.
On the northwest corner of Sheep Meadow in the 69th street area you may see some skateboard and roller skaters performing during the summer and on weekends. Remember to look at the trees and the settings. They are beautiful done.
As you continue south, at 67th street you will see Tavern on the Green This is a lovely yet pricey place to have lunch or dinner. In the winter when snow is on the ground it's a wonderland. The outside patio area has tiny white lights by the thousands. It's really beautiful to see. During the day they serve a lunch that is very good and sometimes you can walk right in. I should tell you that back in the 1800s sheep were kept in part of the Tavern on the Green. It wasn't made into a restaurant until the mid 1950s.
As far as getting something to eat there are always food vendors around. If you know you are spending a day pack a portable lunch, find a nice place to picnic, eat and relax a while, pack away the trash and be on your way again.
Continuing south still with map in hand in the 63st area you will get to Heckscher Playground. This is a great area for kids to stretch out their legs and lungs. It is the largest playground in the park at three acres plus. It has all kinds of fun things and during the summer the kids will appreciate some of the water items. There are rest rooms here also. The map will be handy finding them when needed. They are all around the park. You just need to know where. Also nearby are ball fields. I enjoy watching an inning or two of fun yet competitive softball.
After the playground head north and east towards 65th street and you will get to the carousel. It's beautiful and under a roof. It's about a dollar a ride and it's a great picture opportunity. This carousel was rescued from an old Coney Island playland.
Continue cross town to the east and you will get to Chess and Checkers. This is an outside area with a pergola above it. Underneath are twenty four chess tables and you will see a colorful array of people playing. This is busy every day. It's up on top of a hill.
A BIT MORE HISTORY
Remember that this hill, every tree you see, all the streams and all the lakes were put there. There are pumps under ground that move some of the water around. This was all designed and set to make the park a place to get away from the everyday life of the city. When it was first planned it was to be all set up as a nature preserve. Years later in the mid 1900s Robert Moses took over the planning and vision of the park. He added the playgrounds, ballfields, Wollman rink, Tavern on the green, and many sculptures that are found through out the park. He redesigned the park with a mix of nature and activities. The parks Conservatory still works hard at keeping a good balance of these needs even today.
After Chess and Checkers continue and find the Dairy.
This is a unique building it has been said to be "a mix of a Swiss Chalet and a Gothic country Church". Whatever it is, it's worth seeing. This was a stop for families way back in the 1800s. It was the place for kids to get a frsh glass of milk, hence it's name. The view of Wollman rink from here is gorgeous. Wollman Rink is the place to go skating during the winter months. With the Plaza Hotel as a backdrop, this is another beautiful picture to take. You can bring your own skates or rent them at the rink for just two dollars and fifty cents. You can get hot chocolate too. The price to use the rink is about six dollars for adults and
three for kids. Call 212 439-6900 for up to date info.
A new addition to Wollman Rink is the fact that when the ice skating closes down, they use the area for an amusement park designed for kids 2-12. The place magically becomes Victorian Gardens Check out their web site or my review. Very cool and delightful.
Next it's time to make your way to the children's zoo. There is a charge of $3.50 for adults, kids 12 and under are $.50. This also gets you into the Wildlife Center. It is named as such because they feel zoos may imply, animals in small cages, when in fact they are in large natural type habitats.
Both areas are great. Spend time with little ones in the children's area. They will love all the farm animals and domestic animals there. If you aren't accompanied with little ones go south to the Wildlife center.
Be sure to be looking up as you approach the Wildlife area.
There is a clock and characters that will keep you entertained on the half hour and a bigger show on the hour. You will see moving figures and hear chimes.
The wildlife area is entertaining especially when the seals are being fed. Get a park schedule. The polar bears are particularly interesting to watch as they frolic in the water. Again, it's important to have a map. As you go through all the park you will pass many sculptures of people, wildlife, and nursery rhyme characters. Again have that camera handy.
Generally, after the Wildlife center, we exit the park heading south on Wien Walk. This has the largest crowds of people walking in and out of the park. It in turn also has the most artists and street performers. Some of the artists are incredible. We could spend hours just watching them make a canvas come to life with the subject in front of them.
As you continue out you will see the Pierre Hotel to your left and the Plaza Hotel to the right. Lined up on the park side but in front of the Plaza hotel are the horse and carriages. Treat yourself, take a ride through the park in one of them. Don't missFAO Schwartz, the world famous toy store, it's just across fifth ave next to the Trump Towers
There is so much more in the area we just walked through. There is much for you to still discover. It is an amazing place. I hope to do another review soon of 72nd street and up. There is another particularly wonderful walk we have taken that I would like to share with you. In another review I will tell of all the free entertainment that has been in the park over the years and still continues. Ha, I still remember sitting in a tree, watching "Country Joe and the Fish" as a teen. That was a few years ago. There is so much to tell you about. Shakespear in the Park, Opera, Symphonies, and contemporary music, they are all there. Did you know you can get into workshops for Tai Chi and Yoga? and that every New Years for the last twenty four years people bring in the New Year with a four mile race at the stroke of twelve midnight. There is so much going on.
Please do come to Central Park. The stories of gloom and doom are in the past. Join the hundreds of thousands of people who enjoy it every day and every weekend.
This is one of the many great NYC sites found in this book
The Great Sights of New York: A Photographic Guide
CENTRAL PARK ZOO
Victorian Gardens A children's amusement park in Central park
Downtown Manhattan reviews by Popsrocks
The Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island
Castle Clinton National Memorial
Battery Park Home of the temporary 9/11 memorial.
SOUTH STREET SEAPORT
NY WATERWAY Tour NYC by boat.
Federal Hall National Historic SiteDowntown across from Wall Street, our first Capitol Building was there.
Fraunce's Tavern George Washington ate here. You can too!
Jewish Heritage Museum
St Paul's ChapelA living Memorial to 9/11
Greenwich VillageIt's Hip and Happening
Millenium Hilton., directly across from ground zero. They have reopened!A great location to all that is downtown
More NYC reviews
Central Park So much to see and do any time of year!
CENTRAL PARK ZOO
Strawberry Fields Dedicated to John Lennon
Bethesda Terrace
The Metropolitan Museum of ART A fifteen minute walk uptown from the Zoo on 5th Ave.
Museum of Natural History across from Central Park West
Tavern on the Green in Central Park
The Boathouse Cafe in Central Park
The Empire State Building
Radio City Music Hall A Spectacular place to see a show!
The INTREPID Sea-Air-Space MUSEUM It's a good one!
TKTS half price tickets to Broadway
Aida, the Broadway Play Great show at half price
Thoroughly Modern Millie A 6 Tony award winner Broadway Play
Central Park
Stardust DinerA great place for before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here.
Osteria Stella A great find in the Times Square area
Sylvia's, a southern soul restaurant in Harlem
Something is Missing A Tribute to the good people and the twin towers that were lost on 9/11 http://www.epinions.com/content_3161628804
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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