Recommendations

Central Park may be NYC's greatest attraction. So perambulate the perimeter, meander through the meadow, march across the mall, and zip into the zoo.

Guide: Entrepreneur (Jack)

Strengths

• In 1853, the New York Legislature did something brilliant (!) - they set aside 843 acres (6% of Manhattan; twice the size of Monaco) to create a park that would provide a respite from the increasing hustle and bustle of NYC. That land is has recently been appraised at over $500 Billion - but to New Yorkers and tourists, it's priceless.
• Despite having no experience designing parks, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux were picked for the planning (they later designed Prospect Park in Brooklyn). Over the course of 20 years, 20,000 workers implemented their design, which included 36 bridges, 2 skating rinks, 21 playgrounds, a castle, and 4 million trees and plants.
• Over 25 million people visit the park every year to enjoy events like the New York Marathon, Shakespeare in the Park, free performances by the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera - and occasionally concerts by performers such as Simon & Garfunkel, Dave Matthews, Elton John, Brue Springsteen, Sting and Diana Ross.

Shortcomings

• It's tough to find fault with something this amazing...

Insider tips

• If you are into running, inline skating or cycling and want to know the distances around the various loops, including the reservoir, try this site: www.soundkeepers.com/running.nyc.html. If you are going to play/workout on the roadway (known as the "loop", but technically called Park Drive), its best to do that when it is closed to automotive traffic: weekends, and weekdays after 7pm (except between Thanksgiving and New Years, when traffic is allowed 24/7 on weekdays). If you want to run on a softer surface, try the 1.58 mile gravel loop around The Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, a 106 acre, 40-ft deep Reservoir that holds a billion gallons of water that was once a source of drinking water for NYC.
• One favorite attraction, especially for families and animal lovers, is the Central Park Zoo. Here's more info: www.wordofmouse.com/node/442.
• There are 29 sculptures in Central Park. One is Cleopatra's Needle, a 69.5 foot-high granite obelisk from Egypt that dates back to 1475 BC that is the oldest public monument in North America. Another is of Balto, an Alaskan Malamute sled dog who carried a vaccine 660 miles in -53 degree temperatures and prevented a diphtheria outbreak in Nome Alaska in 1925. A third is Angel of Waters in Bethesda Fountain.
• For info about other attractions, such as Sheep's Meadow (home to a flock of sheep until 1934), the Great Lawn, Belvedere Castle, the Carousel and the Boathouse, visit www.centralpark.com.

Anecdotes

• Visitors to NYC often say it's a nice play to visit but they wouldn't want to live here. Maybe that's because they spent their time in places like Times Square. When I have visitors, I take them to Central Park instead. I've lived in NYC for 20 years, and Central Park still takes my breath away. It's a true oasis. There's no better place in NYC to exercise, people-watch, or escape from the concrete jungle.