New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [70]
Central Park Zoo.
Even a leisurely visit to this small but delightful menagerie of more than 130 species will take only about an hour. Officially known as the Central Park Wildlife Center, this would never be confused with the Bronx Zoo—there’s no space for such animals as zebras and giraffes to roam, and the biggest specimens here are polar bears. Clustered around the central Sea Lion Pool are separate exhibits for each of the Earth’s major environments. Penguins and polar bears live at Polar Circle, the highlights of the open-air Temperate Territory are the chattering monkeys, and the Rain Forest contains the flora and fauna of the tropics. Stick around to see the sea lion feedings, possibly the zoo’s most popular attraction, daily at 11:30, 2, and 4, and to watch the animal statues dance to a variety of nursery rhymes at the Delacorte Musical Clock just outside, on the hour and half-hour from 8 am to 5 pm. | Entrance at 5th Ave. and E. 64th St., Central Park | 212/439–6500 | www.centralparkzoo.org | $6 | No children under 16 admitted without adult | Apr.–Oct., weekdays 10–5, weekends 10–5:30; Nov.–Mar., daily 10–4:30 | Subway: 6 to 68th St./Hunter College; N, R, W to 5th Ave./59th St.; F to Lexington Ave./63rd St.
Great Lawn.
This 14-acre oval greensward has endured millions of footsteps, thousands of ball games, hundreds of downpours, dozens of concerts, and even the crush attending one papal Mass. Yet it’s the stuff of a suburbanite’s dream—perfectly tended turf (a mix of rye and Kentucky bluegrass), state-of-the-art drainage systems, automatic sprinklers, and careful horticultural monitoring. The area hums with action on weekends and most summer evenings, when its softball fields and picnicking grounds provide a much-needed outlet for city folk (and city dogs) of all ages. | Midpark between 81st and 85th Sts., Central Park.
Fodor’s Choice | Loeb Boathouse.
At the brick neo-Victorian boathouse on the park’s 18-acre lake, you can rent a rowboat, take a ride in an authentic Venetian gondola, or pedal off on a rented bicycle. | Midpark at E. Park Dr., Central Park | 212/517–2233 | Boat rental $12 per hr ($30 deposit); $30 per ½ hr for gondola rides; bicycle rental $9–$15 per hr, deposit required | Boats and bikes available Mar.–Oct., daily 10–6, weather permitting. Call for gondolier’s schedule. | Subway: 6 to 77th St.
Sheep Meadow.
A sheep-grazing area until 1934, this grassy 15-acre meadow is now a favorite of picnickers and sunbathers. It’s a designated quiet zone; the most vigorous sports allowed are kite flying and Frisbee tossing. Just west of the meadow is the site of the famous Tavern on the Green restaurant, which was open from 1934 to 2009. The building, which once did indeed hold sheep and a shepherd, was erected by Boss Tweed in 1870. It is currently being used as a visitor center, with high-end food trucks often parked here. | East of West Dr. and north of 65th St. Transverse, Central Park.
Strawberry Fields.
This memorial to John Lennon, who penned the classic 1967 song “Strawberry Fields Forever,” is sometimes called the “international garden of peace.” Its curving paths, shrubs, trees, and flower beds donated by many countries create a deliberately informal landscape reminiscent of English parks. Every year on December 8, Beatles fans mark the anniversary of Lennon’s death by gathering around the star-shape, black-and-white “IMAGINE” mosaic set into the pavement. Lennon’s 1980 murder took place across the street at the Dakota apartment building, where he lived. | W. Park Dr. and W. 72nd St., Central Park | Subway: B, C to 72nd St.
WORTH NOTING
Alice in Wonderland.
Lewis Carroll’s heroine from the immortal Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is 11 feet tall and bronzed here, in one of the most popular statues in the park. Alice sits queenlike on a giant mushroom, with the White Rabbit to her left, the Mad Hatter to her right, and the Cheshire cat above in a tree. The statue was donated to the park in 1959 by philanthropist George Delacorte. Sculptor José de Creeft remained true to John Tenniel