Category: Parks

You may recognize the name from Good Morning America, and you may even pass by Bryant Park on the way to work, but have you really taken the time to enjoy this beautiful park? If the answer is no, then you must give it a try and soon.

You’ll find a wide range of people in Bryant Park – from business executives enjoying their lunches to sports enthusiasts looking to exercise or play a game of baseball. Bryant Park offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life in Manhattan and there is much to be taken advantage of in this striking location.

For you art and history buffs, there are dozens of statues and monuments set throughout Bryant Park to enjoy. Some of the more notable pieces include the lions created by sculptor Edward Clark Potter, the pediment statuary by Paul Wayland Bartlett, the fountains sitting on either side of the library’s main entrance, not to mention the statue of William Dodge – a businessman in NYC. There are many more set throughout the lawn and on the different terraces that adorn the park. Spend the day walking through the park while learning about the many New Yorkers that brought so much life and history to the city.

If you’re looking for a quiet place to get some work done, the park offers free wireless internet access as well as 2000 movable chairs.

Whether you’re here on a date, for work, or to just think things over, you’ll find a plethora of opportunities at the park. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of Bryant Park.

Getting There

Located behind the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan, Bryant Park is easily accessible to all of the residents of New York City. The park sits between 40th and 42nd streets and only a block from Times Square. You can either walk if you live nearby or you can take the F, V, B, or D train to the Bryant Park/42nd Street station.

When you think of Brooklyn you don’t often think of a large sprawling park, but that’s exactly what you get. Prospect Park is huge at 585 acres and is right in the heart of Brooklyn. The landscape is stunning…designed by the same person who designed Central Park in Manhattan.

The park is right in the middle of very diverse neighborhoods and is a local hangout for many of the residents that live in this populous borough. There are an incredible amount of activities to enjoy in this large park, but you can also enjoy just laying around on a sunny day – soaking in the rays and reading a book. There are loads of places that you can go and sit quietly by yourself, or you could enjoy the company of friends, family, or a date.

Once you get there, you can start off with the Prospect Park Audubon Center – the nation’s first Audubon Center. This is where you will find all the boat tours, bird watching walks, the park’s visitor center, as well as the interactive exhibits that children love. You can even grab a sandwich at the café on your way to see more of the beautifully landscaped Long Meadow area.

The Long Meadow is a 1 mile long unbroken meadow in the middle of this urban park filled with rolling hills and trees that are scattered about. This is the perfect place to take your time to enjoy the nature and peace and quiet that you will find. You can also find a great game of football being played here at any given time. Enjoy your time as you make your way to the Grand Army Plaza which holds many of the historic monuments in the park such as the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Memorial Arch. It is also where you will find Bailey Fountain as well as a collection of statues. The Green Market is open seasonally there for your enjoyment.

For the kids, you have the Prospect Park Zoo as well as Wollman Rink. They have pedal boating which is a really popular activity on the 60 acre lake. The outdoor skating rink is tons of fun and a fantastic date activity.

With all the beauty, quiet sitting spots, bird watching, and boating all in one place, you’ll be hard pressed to ever find another place like it.

Getting Here

The park is easily accessible to the people who live here, as well as people coming from other neighborhoods. You can take the F, Q, S, or B train or the 2 or 3 train all leading to Prospect Park station. If you drive to the park, there is even free parking year round located at the Wollman Rink.

Superb and amazing, Central Park is one of America’s most fascinating destinations. It is even more magnificent once you learn that it is entirely man made. In fact, the history of Central Park is as fascinating as the breathtaking views of the park itself. Designed in 1858, the story of Central Park is steeped in American spirit and national pride. As the park began to deteriorate over the years, a team of conservationists began their plan to restore and revitalize the park- the results were astonishing.

Features

Central Park boasts over 840 acres and makes up nearly six percent of Manhattan’s landscape. It is also the park most frequented by tourists. The park features a multitude of attractions ranging from exquisite sculpture and art forms to botanical gardens, and the Central Park Zoo. Some of the most outstanding features include: The Arsenal, Belvedere Castle, the Carousel, the Delacorte Music Clock, the Great Lawn, Hallet Nature Sanctuary, the Lake, the Mall, Bethesda Terrace, Shakespeare Garden, North Meadow, Lasker Pool and Rink, Obelisk, Strawberry Fields, Summer Stage, Victorian Gardens, Sheep Meadow, Summit Rock, Tavern on the Green, Still Hunt, and more.

Things To Do

There are always numerous events taking place at Central Park. Activities such as climbing, field day, biking, theater, outdoor music concerts, playgrounds, inline skating, ice skating rinks, canoeing, basketball courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, kayaking, festivals, lectures, activities for children, educational programs designed specifically for youth, and recreation programs ensure that there is something for everyone at the park.

Location

Central Park is located from Central Park South on 59th Street and extends to the Northern Side of Central Park at 110th Street. The East Side of Central Park is located at 5th Avenue and the West Side is at 8th Avenue.