New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [72]
Conservatory Water.
The sophisticated model boats that sail this Renaissance Revival–style stone basin are raced each Saturday morning at 10, spring through fall. At the north end is the Alice in Wonderland statue; on the west side of the pond, a bronze statue of Hans Christian Andersen, the Ugly Duckling at his feet, is the site of storytelling hours on summer Saturdays at 11 AM. Model sailboats can be rented from a concession by the boat pond. | East side of park, from E. 73rd to E. 75th Sts., Central Park | Subway: 6 to 77th St.
The Dairy.
When it was built in the 19th century—back when the northern border of residential Manhattan was at 38th Street—the Dairy sat amid grazing cows and sold milk by the glass. Today the Swiss-chalet-style Dairy houses the Central Park Visitor Center, which has exhibits on the park’s history, maps, a park reference library, and information about park events. | Midpark south of 65th St. Transverse, Central Park | 212/794–6564 | Apr.–Oct., Tues.–Sun. 10–5; Nov.–Mar., Tues.–Sun. 10–4.
Delacorte Theater.
Some of the best things in New York are, indeed, free—including summer “Shakespeare in the Park” performances at this open-air stage. Casts are often studded with Hollywood stars. Meryl Streep, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Helen Hunt, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline are just a few who have performed here. Tickets are free and are given out starting at 1 PM on the day of each show, which often sells out. What you save in money, you make up for in time and tedium—lines are long. Plan to line up by midmorning or earlier if there have been good reviews. It’s not unheard of for theatergoers to show up at 7 AM with a breakfast picnic to weather the wait. Each person in line is allowed two tickets for that evening’s performance. Tickets are also available online; making a donation to the Public is one way to avoid the lines and be sure you get a ticket. Same-day tickets are also given away at the Public Theater (425 Lafayette St., East Village) at 1 PM. | Midpark near W. 81st St., Central Park | 212/539–8750 seasonal | www.publictheater.org | Subway: 6 to 77th St.; B, C to 81st St.
Friedsam Memorial Carousel.
Remarkable for the size of its hand-carved steeds—all 57 are three-quarters the size of real horses—this carousel was built in 1908 and moved here from Coney Island in 1951. Today it’s considered one of the finest examples of turn-of-the-20th-century folk art. The carousel’s original Wurlitzer organ plays a variety of tunes, from old-time waltzes to polkas. | Midpark south of 65th St. Transverse, Central Park | 212/879–0244 | $1.25 | Apr.–Nov., daily 10–dusk; Dec.–Mar., weekends 10–dusk, weather permitting | Subway: 1, 9 to 66th Street/Lincoln Center.
Harlem Meer.
Those who never venture beyond 96th Street miss out on two of the park’s loveliest attractions: the Conservatory Garden and Harlem Meer, an 11-acre sheet of water where, in warmer months, as many as 100 people a day fish for stocked largemouth bass, catfish, golden shiners, and bluegills (catch-and-release only). At the meer’s north end is the Victorian-style Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, where you can learn about geography, orienteering, ecology, and the history of the upper park. Within walking distance of the center are fortifications from the American Revolution and other historic sites, as well as woodlands, meadows, rocky bluffs, lakes, and streams. Fishing poles are available with identification from mid-April through October. | Between 5th and Lenox Aves. at Central Park N, Central Park | 212/860–1370 | Discovery Center Tues.–Sun. 10–5 | Subway: 2, 3 to Central Park North/110th St.
Horse-drawn carriage rides.
Taking a ride in a horse-drawn carriage is on the to-do list of many romantically inclined visitors. If it’s on yours, be prepared to pay—the rates are $50 per carriage for the first 20 minutes on a standard route that covers just ¾ of a mile; each additional 10 minutes