Central Park New York
If you are looking for a place to escape from New York City with out ever leaving Manhattan, then head directly to Central Park. Stretching 51 blocks between 59th and 110th streets, this 843-acre oasis must be seen to be fully comprehended and appreciated. This is America's first landscaped public park, but the whole world has left its mark here. Sprinkled among the 7 bodies of water, rolling lawns, formal gardens and woodland, you can find an Egyptian Obelisk, Venetian gondolas and a castle that looks as though it were lifted from the Scottish Highlands. Ornate fountains and sculptures stand in delicate harmony with the natural beauty of the park. Nature itself takes center stage in the formal Conservatory Garden. For a reflective walk of a different sort ask to be pointed to Strawberry Fields, a memorial to John Lennon.

There is plenty of activity in Central Park: paths for walking and running, horseback riding, biking, athletic fields and roller skating. On the weekend the streets that run through the park are closed to automobiles and given over to roller blades. Children love the park as well. Be sure to check out the Central Park Zoo, the ornate 3-level Carousel, and the Alice in Wonderland statue.

Central Park invites you for dinner in the Boathouse. Afterwards you can exercise by renting a rowboat. If you prefer to have someone else do all the work, hire a gondola, or wander over and watch the remote-controlled watercraft at the Conservatory Water (better known to the locals as the "boat pond"). Don't have your sea legs? Then we suggest a horse-drawn carriage ride. Yes, it will cost you, but it is an experience you will never forget.

Website Central Park, New York