New York City Central Park

Central Park, 59th to 110th St., 5th Ave. to Central Park W. (212-310-6600; www.centralparknyc.org), The Central Park Conservancy, which runs the park and offers public programs, has five visitor centers offering brochures, calendars of events, and free park maps, at Belvedere Castle. The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (212-860-1370), at 110th St. between 5th Ave. and Lenox (6th Ave.) features educational programs for all ages and rents fishing poles to be used at the nearby Harlem Meer, while the North Meadow Recreation Center (212-348-4867), mid-park at 97th St., features indoor and outdoor climbing walls, basketball, and handball courts. Carriage tours (From Central Park S. 212-487-4398 $35 for 1st 20 min., $10 for each additional 15min.) and bicycle tours (Central Park Bike Tours from 203 W. St. 212-541-8759 www.centralparkbiketour.com $49 per 2hr., children $40 per 2hr. Tours M-F 10am, 1, 4pm, Sa-Su 9, 11am, 1, 4pm.) are available in the park. Additionally, NYSKATEOUT offers in-line skate tours (From 72nd St. and Central Park W. 212-486-1919 www.nyskate.com $40 per hr. Tours May-Sept Tu-Th and Sa-Su 9am, 1, 5pm.) Finally, the Central Park Convervancy sponsors free walking tours. Call or check online for schedule and location (212-772-0210 www.centralparknyc.org/walkingtours).

The Children's District area of Central Park offers plenty of activities to amuse and child or child-at-heart. In the 19th century, the Dairy provided fresh milk to the city's children and their families. Now the house serves as a visitors' center and gift shop. (65th St. 212-794-6564 Open Tu-Su 10am-5pm.) The Chess and Checkers House visitors' center offers maps and information as well as chess and checkers equipment. (Mid-park at 64th St. 212-794-4064 Open Apr-Oct Tu-Su 10am-5pm.) In the winter months visitors can ice skate at Wollman Rink. (East side between 62nd and 63rd St. 212 439 6900 M-F $9.50, Sa-Su $12, over 59 M-F $4.75, Sa-Su $8.25, children M-F $4.75, Sa-Su $5. Skate rentals $5. Open late Oct-early Apr M-Tu 10am-2:30pm, W-Th 10am-10pm, F-Sa 10am-11pm, Su 10am-9pm.) In the summer, the rink doubles as Victorian Gardens Amusement Park. (212-982-2229 M-F $6.50, Sa-Su $7.50. $2-3 per ride or unlimited ride with wristband M-F $12, Sa-Su $14. Open M-Th 11am-7pm, F 11am-8pm, Sa 10am-9pm, Su 10am-8pm.) For more amusement, ride the Carousel (Mid-park at 64th St. ?212-879-0244 $2 per ride. Open Apr-Nov M-F 10am-6pm, Sa-Su 10am-4:30pm.) The famous Central Park Wildlife Center (the Zoo) and Tisch Children's Zoo are located on the east side between 63rd and 66th, off of 5th Ave. (212-439-6500 Open Apr-Oct M-F 10am-5pm, Sa-Su 10am-5:30pm, Nov-Mar M-Su 10am-4:30pm.) The statue of Balto, the sled dog immortalized by Disney, stands regally on the East side at 67th St.

Sheep Meadow (Western side of the park, 66th-69th St.) is designated as a "quiet area," where park visitors can sit on blankets and read, picnic, and nap. For a relaxing walk, amble along the elm and statue-lined paths of The Mall (Mid-park between 66th and 72nd St.) to Bethesda Terrace and Fountain (at the end of the Mall, at 72nd St.). East of Sheep Meadow, free concerts and performances by Summerstage play throughout the warmer months at the Naumberg Bandshell and Rumsey Playfield. Schedules and showtimes are available online (www.summerstage.org).

Head to the lake and Strawberry Fields to explore your sentimental side. Try renting your very own rowboat at Loeb Boathouse. (Mid-park at 76th St. 1st hr. $12, every additional 15 min. $3. Refundable $20 deposit required. Open daily 10am-6pm.) The Loeb Boathouse offers a tranquil atmosphere for lakeside dining. (Lunch entrees $19-27, dinner $20-40, brunch $16-25. Open Apr-Nov noon-4pm and 5:30-9:30pm. Sa-Su brunch 9:30am-4pm, dinner 6-9pm.) Next check out Strawberry Fields (West side between 71st and 72nd St.) a memorial to LJohn Lennon across from The Dakota, the apartment building at which he was shot. Yoko Ono battled for this space against City Council members who would have preferred a Bing Crosby memorial. Although the Central Park Conservancy designates the fields as a "quiet area," musicians playing Beatles music thankfully ignore this label. On any given day, park visitors may sit around the "Imagine" mosaic and listen to the strummed chords of "Yesterday." On the eastern edge of The Lake (East side from 72nd to 75th St.). North of The Lake, birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and people just looking for some respite from the day can wander through the winding trails of The Ramble. Stick to the pathways and avoid rambling after dark.

Next, head to the Great Lawn, where you'll find that Belvedere Castle (Just off 79th St. 212-772-0210 Free. Open Tu-Su 10am-5pm.), the home of the New York Meteorological Observancy, provides a stunning view of Turtle Pond (Mid-park between 79th and 80th St.). Hundreds of eager Shakespeare enthusiasts arrive at 7am to wait in line (or "on line" as New Yorkers say) for free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park at Delacorte Theatre (Mid-park at 80th St. 212-539-8650 www.publictheater.org). The Shakespeare Garden, said to contain every plant, flower, and herb in the Bard's works lies near the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater. Imported from Sweden in 1879, the cottage now houses year-round marionette performances. (212-988-9093 www.CityParksFoundation.org $8, ages under 12 $5. Reservations required. For schedules and showtimes call.)

The Resevoirs's Conservatory Garden features landscaping in the French, Italian, and English styles. (Reservoir 85th-96th St., Reservoir Conservatory Garden, East side from 104th-106th St., enter at 5th Ave. and 105th St. or gate inside park at 106th St. 212-360-2766 Open spring-fall 8am-dusk.) Within the garden stands the Burnett Fountain, a memorial to beloved author of The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett. Kids of all ages enjoy swimming and skating at Lasker Rink and Pool (Mid-park between 106th and 110th St. Rink: 212-534-7639. Pool: 212-534-7639 Rink $6.25, children $3.50, seniors $2.25. Skate rentals $5.50. Pool free. Rink open daily in winter. Pool open July-Aug daily 11am-2:45pm and 4-6:45pm.) The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center and Harlem Meer occupy the very top eastern portion of the Park (106th to 110th St. 212-860-1370 Free. Open Apr-Oct Tu-Su 10am-5pm, Nov-Mar Tu-Su 10am-4pm.) The Harlem Meer Performane Festival is staged at the Discovery Center, offering free concerts during June, July, and August (212-860-1370 for performance schedule). Wheelchair access.