Central Park

Get your sneakers on, we are going to walk through Central Park in Manhattan! Tied tight? Let's go!

If there is just one place you ever visit in New York City, make sure it is Central Park. Forget everything else-you must get here! On our trip we spent an entire day in the park. At 843 acres, this was not difficult to do! The idea of such beauty in the middle of a large metropolis is mind-boggling.

But, of course, before we entered the park at Central Park South we did a little window shopping at Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue. Window shopping on Fifth Avenue is an afternoon in itself! Now, now, we are NOT going inside, this store is crazy expensive!

Off we go to the entrance to the park, the carriages all lined up for a leisurely stroll...

We begin by walking along the Central Park Mall. The Mall or "Promenade" leads to the Bethesda Terrace. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead in the late nineteenth century. Wealthy New Yorkers wanted a park in the middle of Manhattan reminiscent of English parks in London. 2008 is being designated as the 150th anniversary of the design of the park. Interestingly, you can catch a balloon ride over the park this summer! Sneakers on, we're opting to walk! The treed canopy of the Mall is a nice respite from the sweltering summer heat, don't you think? Can't you just see the Victorian society ladies strolling with their sun umbrellas here?

The terrain of the park is craggy and sloped...

Now we've come to the Bethesda Terrace. It overlooks the Bethesda Fountain and its sculpture, Angel of Waters, which was designed by Emma Stebbins in 1873.

A detail of one of the sculptured columns...

This neoclassical winged female figure symbolizes and celebrates the purifying of the city’s water supply when the Croton Aqueduct opened in 1842 bringing fresh water to all New Yorkers.

Speaking of fresh water, we're getting parched and hungry! Another New York institution: the Dirty Water dog. Hot dog vendors are set up all over Manhattan and there is just no hot dog better in the world than a "New York Dirty Water" dog. Steaming in water all day, they are ready and waiting for us! Of course we'll have the sauerkraut! Load it on! No self respecting New Yorker would do without it! Yes, mustard, too! Add a coke and we're set!

In the middle of the park is Belvedere Castle. This lookout over the park is also a weather station. When you ever hear on tv what the New York temperature is, it is taken at this location in Central Park.

It is also perhaps the most magical monument in Central Park, one that combines function, form and romance - all in one convenient, central location.

It was designed originally in 1865 by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould as a Victorian “Folly” (A fantasy building) that would provide an overlook to the scenic splendors around it.

Let's climb up to the top! Did you finish your hot dog? Good...up we go!

Here we are!
Look at the amazing view from here! Now we'll stop at the Conservancy, a spot to sail a motorized toy boat...
And view the Alice in Wonderland sculpture...

Yes, yes! We'll eat! I made reservations at a special spot-the Central Park Boathouse. We'll sit in the terrace! We'll order the striped bass and apple glazed pork chops, please!

Let's watch the rowers on the lake from our table...

Tummies full, we're ready to leave! Wasn't that a great day in Central Park?