There’s no other place better suited to represent New York City than magnificent Central Park. It’s wedged right between The Upper East and Upper West Side, and is the perfect place, especially during our current pandemic, for locals to spend time outdoors.

You might wonder: What can a park by itself offer? What is there to do? My answer is A whole bunch! Whether you’re looking for relaxation, physical exercise, or a place to reflect, you’ll find it all in this vast green space that New Yorkers call Central Park.

Let me compile a list of places that are worth noting and visiting when you’re visiting. One of my all-time favorite places is Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, which provides the most beautiful background for photoshoots of various sorts. Not far from there, you will discover the iconic Bow Bridge, as seen in many movies, such as Spiderman or the classic Barbara Streisand movie The Way we were. It’s also known as a romantic proposal site! Speaking of romance, Central Park weddings are gaining in popularity and offer the best of both worlds: Affordability, scenery, and easy outdoor social- distancing. Cop Cot is a great outdoor venue to explore that option.

If you’re not planning a wedding anytime soon, there’s still plenty of places to be mesmerized by at Central Park. For music lovers, I highly recommend a visit to the John Lennon Memorial Strawberry Fields, which is frequented often by musicians and die-hard Beatles fans. For Disney fanatics, Belvedere Castle is a great spot to take pictures and feel the magic! For a leisurely picnic, you might want to explore Cedar Hill or Sheep Meadow; places that are busy with couples, kids, and dogs during the warm summer days.

For children, you’ll have an abundance of playgrounds in the park, but the highlight for them might just be the Central Park Zoo, which has a bird sanctuary, a petting zoo, and a sea lion -feedings during normal times. It’s incredible to find the only cow in the city right here in the center of the park!

Another spot that is gorgeous and shouldn’t be overlooked is the Literary Walk; also called The Mall. It leads directly to Bethesda Terrace, and is a wide and impressive pathway through the park. If you’re lucky, you’ll see it in the winter right after a snowstorm, which is stunning.

You have a large bike and running path through the park as well, allowing for a rigorous work-out, if desired. It’s beautiful to watch people come together to do just that, while skyscrapers are hoovering right above you.

Now, for entertainment you have Shakespeare in the Park, an outdoor theater company that performs annually in Central Park. Tickets are hard to come by, but it’s worth trying or even becoming a member of the park, just to see these highly skilled actors perform Shakespeare’s best. In addition, there are tons of free summer concerts and other events happening at the park at all times, so always make sure to check what’s on the calendar.

Grab a hot dog on the way out, and you just did what New Yorkers enjoy on their days off: A beautiful outing at the park!

If you need any help with travel planning, writing, or have a need for travel photographs, you can visit my website at

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