Central Park, New York

　　Guide 1. The stroll begins at the West 72nd Street subway station, crosses Central Park West and West Drive, and follows paths to the Strausbaugh Field. 2. Head north along any path on West Drive (preferably the one closest to the lake), then turn right to reach the transverse at 79th Street. 3. Continue eastward, pass the intersection of the 79th Street transverse and East Drive, then take the southern path to the Conservatory Water. 4. Head west along the path through East Drive and enter the Loeb Boathouse docking area. 5. From the fountain, walk south through the brick tunnel beneath the 72nd Street transverse to enter the Mall. 6. At the end of the Mall, walk to the western side of East Drive. 7. Walk forward to the southern end of the Pond, then turn left to reach the Grand Army Plaza, where the stroll ends. The entire tour takes approximately two hours.

　　Visitor Information Diary is located on 65th Street, between the Children's Zoo and the Dairy. Thanks to its Victorian-style architecture, it’s easy to spot. Here you can purchase a Central Park map ($2) and also request the Central Park Calendar featuring seasonal events.

　　The Wildlife Conservation Center – Central Park Zoo is situated on 65th Street, near the Children's Zoo and Fast Drive. Though the variety of animals is limited (10:30 AM–5:30 PM; 10:00 AM–4:00 PM from November to March), weekend marine specimen exhibits feature penguins, monkeys, polar bears, and other animals. Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00 AM–4:30 PM; Saturday/Sunday/Holidays 10:00 AM–5:30 PM Admission: Adults $2.50, Seniors (65+) $1.25, Children (3–12) 50 cents Phone: 1-212-861-6030

　　Wollman Memorial Rink is located directly south of the Visitor Information Diary, right in the middle of 62nd Street. Roller skating and golf are available here before October, while real ice-skating is offered in winter.

　　Conservatory Garden is located at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 105th Street. This fountain-adorned garden is a famous spot for outdoor weddings in summer. It features a variety of plants including lilacs, peonies, and geraniums, and free guided tours are available on Sundays. Hours: 8:00 AM–sunset Phone: 1-212-360-2766

　　Trolley Tour refers to a 90-minute sightseeing experience aboard a trolley car that covers the vast expanse of Central Park. Tickets can be purchased at Grand Army Plaza, located at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 60th Street—it’s best to book in advance. Departure times: Three times daily (10:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM); not running on Saturdays/Sundays Admission: Adults $15, Students/Seniors $13, Children $7.50 Phone: 1-212-397-3809 Address: From 50th Street to 110th Street, from 5th Avenue to 8th Avenue. New York, NY Flying over Manhattan Island, Central Park appears like a billiard table suddenly coming into view amidst the chaotic urban sprawl below—a serene rectangular oasis nestled within the city’s crisscrossing grid. The park is astonishingly large—covering 843 acres. Once a nearly wild expanse, it is now a vast pastoral preserve with dense woods, lakes, and lawns, even featuring a working farm and pasture where sheep graze. Creating such a park within such a bustling metropolis has been widely acclaimed as a visionary achievement. Moreover, beneath this heavily trafficked area, underground roadways were constructed so that through-traffic can pass under the park without disturbing its tranquil visitors.

　　Whether in winter or summer, the southern part of the park is ideal for family fun. Spend a few minutes crossing Columbia Circle or Grand Army Plaza, and you can fly kites, play frisbee, ice skate, sunbathe, or watch the zoo animals. Picnics can be enjoyed on the Great Lawn, which runs parallel to the Metropolitan Museum of Art; further ahead lies the Reservoir, often frequented by joggers. The northern section is quieter, featuring three formal gardens donated by the Vanderbilt family, as well as several ponds.

　　 United States, New York