There are few things in life that rival the first warm day of spring in New York City. It feels as though the city breathes a sigh of relief for the seasons changing, and the warm air and sun are rewards for surviving the harsh, bleak and seemingly never-ending winter. Throughout all seasons — but especially spring — Central Park acts as a magnet, drawing people into all of its various nooks and crevices.
Central Park is a key landmark of New York City. Although not the largest park the city has to boast, it still spans over 800 acres and is a must-see for all tourists, while being a staple for locals. There is no shortage of pathways one can take in the park, and there are multiple unique features and sections that are worth a visit.
My personal favorite section of the park resides in its center. It is home to the Delacorte Theater, an open-air amphitheater that performs various Shakespearean plays throughout the summer, dubbed Shakespeare in the Park. It is free to the public if you secure a ticket, whether by lining up the day before a performance or through a digital lottery. The theater underwent renovations costing over $80 million this past summer, bringing increased accessibility, an improved lighting system and advanced sustainability, so it is definitely worth a visit this summer.
Right next to the theater is Belvedere Castle, a miniature castle that was built in 1869. This castle’s lookout point offers some of the most stunning views of Central Park and is a remarkably beautiful spot in the park. Whether you want to view the city skyline or the lush Great Lawn, the castle is an ideal viewing spot. Inside, visitors can observe artifacts as part of natural history exhibits and access the castle’s visitor center and gift shop. This is my personal favorite spot in the park — having a castle in the center of the city is such a cool feature.
Another spot in the park that is worth checking out is Bethesda Fountain, located directly next to The Lake and Bow Bridge. The fountain itself is worth taking the time to observe due to its neoclassical design featuring an elegant statue of an angel perched atop the downward flowing water. Beyond this, it offers a scenic view of the arched bridge and a look at the boathouse where you have the opportunity to rent out your own personal rowboat.
In the southeast part of the park is the Central Park Zoo. While we are lucky enough as Fordham students to have the impressive Bronx Zoo just a short walk off of campus, this is another option if you are searching for more zoos to check out. It is certainly smaller in scale, but still has a solid selection of interesting animals, including penguins,lemurs and snow leopards. It is conveniently located, with easy access to both the Upper East Side and Midtown. However, it does end up looking a bit lackluster when compared to the Bronx Zoo.
Central Park is home to so many beautiful gardens, with one of my favorites being the Conservatory Garden. Within this garden are three different areas, each with their own distinct designs and feel: French-style North Garden, the Italianate Center Garden and the English-style South Garden. If you ever want to feel like you’re walking in the European countryside, I would highly recommend checking out these gardens. They are free to the public and are filled with perfectly trimmed hedges, intricate flower arrangements and charming statues that will transport you to a completely different location.
Even if it is not one of these attractions, Central Park offers something for everyone. There are so many artists, musicians and dancers; everywhere you look, there is some distinct performance going on. With all of the attractions and events, it’s impossible to ever be bored walking around.
Being in Central Park — or any part of New York City really — serves as a reminder of just how diverse New York is. It is so entertaining to observe the thousands of people walking through the park and make up various backstories about each person’s life, which I personally believe is an underrated pastime. If you want a place to play tennis, softball, a spot to walk your dog, listen to music, read, draw, picnic, have a deep conversation or perform just about any hobby, Central Park has you covered.
All in all, you are missing out if you don’t take the opportunity to check out Central Park this spring, especially while everything is in full bloom. While the main green spaces are often packed, there are always more hidden gems to find within the park.