Stretching from Midtown to Brooklyn, Central Park is located in the heart of Manhattan. This oasis of tranquil pastures and gardens was built in 1857, by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux.

Walkers, roller bladders, bikers and joggers can be seen using these green spaces for their recreation while lovers can be found meeting at Bethseda Fountain on Bethseda Terrace. On to the north, you will find Belvedere Castle that offers amazing views of the city. In the summers, visitors can enjoy plays at the Delacorte Theater. This Central Park theater has hosted plays like Electra, Agamemnon, The Skin of Our Teeth and The Seagull. Famous actors like Richard Dreyfuss, John Goodman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Meryl Streep and Denzel Washington have graced this theater with their performances.

Kids will like The Central Park Wildlife Center on Fifth Avenue and East 64th Street (212-861-6030). This charming zoo is open daily all year round. The ticket to this zoo will get you in for free to the Tisch Children’s Zoo situated nearby. The Central Park carousal is one of the many treasures to be found here. Made of hand carved and hand painted horses, this carousal was placed in the park in 1951 and is beautifully restored. It is simple, old fashioned and is adored by kids of all ages.
If you are interested in seeing original works by Rembrandt, Whistler, Vermeer and El Greco, walk down to the nearby Frick Collection, where you can find these on permanent display. Those fond of history can stroll the nearby New York Historical Society that displays 60,000 art objects. Here, you can learn more about the history of New York and its people.

Tel: (212) 360-3456

Trains:
A, B, C, D to 59th St., 66th St., 72nd St., 81st St., 86th St., 96th St.
2,3 to 110th St.
N, R to 5th Ave.

URL:http://www.centralpark.org

List of hotel deals