CENTRAL PARK (also look at the blog the Metropolitan Museum and More)

Photo of Central Park courtesy of NYC Parks Department 

Things explore and do in Central Park NYC runs from 57th Street Central Park South to 110th Street and encloses a 6 1/2 mile road loop with a multitude of side roads and detours that can be taken - stroll, play ground sample, rollerblade, swim (summer)  ice-skate (winter), row, watch a play, movie or great orchestra, hear music, watch performers,  ride in a gondola, explore Belvedere castle, visit a zoo, take a yoga class, watch turtles, fish , sail model boats, play, climb and exercise.  All are possible here.  

Best time to visit: All year 

Length of trip: Minimum 2 hours

Distance:  As much or as little walking/biking/roller blading as you want and great for strollers
Subway Stops: click on the NYC Subway map or here http://web.mta.info/maps/submap.html 

Suitable for: All age groups

Nearby eating: See blog suggestions
Advance Planning: 
Movies shot : List on the business website  www.centralpark.com/pages/history/central-park-in-the-cinema/movies-shot-in-central-park.html
Events: NYC Government Parks Department webpagehttps://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/events or the website https://www.centralpark.com/search/event/upcoming-events/#page=1
12 things to do in the park:
Central Park Conservancy offers free maps to download (6 options: running, playground, foliage, self guided tour, official, and bike maps)

1. Bike rentals & tours : NYC Parks approved rental & tour company (bikes, scooters tandems) https://bikerent.nyc/  on Central Park South. The road around the entire Park covers 6.1 miles. If you are interested in biking elsewhere the NYC Parks website has a very concise https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/bikeways webpage https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/bikeways and you can pick up a greenway route map for free at any bike store .
2. Roller blade or bike rentals: https://www.unlimitedbiking.com/rentals/nyc-rollerblade-rentals/
3. Central Park Zoo around 65th Street & 5th https://centralparkzoo.com
4. Model boat rental at Conservatory Water at around 74th off of 5th in the park https://www.centralpark.com/events/model-sailboat-rentals/ or watch model boat racing http://www.cpmyc.org/ To the north of the pond is the Alice in Wonderland Statue - great for a park benches and for climbing
5. Fishing:https://www.centralparknyc.org/locations/charles-a-dana-discovery-center
6. Outdoor movies & concert schedules:https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/free_summer_movies
7. Music and music festivals: https://cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage/
8. Shakespeare in the Park: During the summer months https://publictheater.org/programs/shakespeare-in-the-park
9. Opera in the Park & Philharmonic in the park: https://cityparksfoundation.org/events/met-opera-central-park-2022/ and https://nyphil.org/parks
10. Running in the Park:  https://www.centralpark.com/things-to-do/sports/running/The reservoir is pretty and famous – 1.6 miles
11. Wollman Rink https://wollmanrinknyc.com/opens in the fall. Go early or during lunch. It's a great experience but can be packed- lunch or later in the evening always better later   http://www.centralpark.com/things-to-do/activities/fun-fall-and-winter-traditions/ for winter activities
12. Row boat or Gondola rental in summer https://www.centralparknyc.org/activities/guides/boating 

Great eateries nearby: All marked on the map below. Fast food stands are dotted around the park. The Neue Galerie Cafe Sabarsky -at 86th and 5th https://www.neuegalerie.org/cafesabarsky offers Viennese food in an elegant wood paneled room and serves breakfast (9am-11am), lunch and dinner as well a range of superb pastries and cakes.  Best time to get table 11:45am. Great for hot chocolate in Winter. Serafina Pizza - at 79th and Madison -good pizza and Italian food. 

Shake Shack - 77th and Columbus Avenue near the American Museum of Natural History on the West Side - fast food and good burgers https://shakeshack.com/location/upper-west-side-ny#/ 

Le Pain Quotidien - at 69th Street in Central Park near the Sheep's Meadow and casual healthy and good food. No need to reserve. https://www.centralparknyc.org/locations/le-pain-quotidien-at-mineral-springs.                            

Neue Gallery's Cafe Sabarsky - Credit: Neue Gallery

Safari Playground Central Park West and 90th Street
Courtesy of New York City Parks Department

Picnic in Central Park

Where to buy a nice picnic to bring to Central Park:
East Side: Taralucci E Vino make a picnic for two which can be purchased from the restaurant (very pleasant to eat in) at the Cooper Hewitt Museum (great to visit) at 91st and 5th. Marche on Madison and 74th sells sandwiches and salads. E.A.T. between 80th and81st and Madison sells excellent take out picnic food.
West Side: Zabars at 80th and Broadway is famous in NYC.  It's worth a visit even if you don't plan to purchase a picnic. Zabars is famous for its deli meats and cheeses. Stop at the Cafe next door and pick up a bagel and cream cheese.  Many New York City dweller picnic memories are associated with this institution. Whole Foods at the Time Warner Center at Columbus and 59th sells a range of take out salads and breads.

START: Metropolitan Museum of Art at 84^th and 5^th.  

Stop on 79th at 972 5th Avenue to explore Albertine, a charming french bookstore run by the Cultural services of the french embassy. 

A lemur at Central Park Zoo (photo courtesy of Central Park Zoo)

Famous NY hawks Across from the boat rental area there’s a man with a telescope – look for Pale Male and Lola the red-tailed hawks that made newspaper headlines by nesting at 927 Fifth Avenue (at East 74th Street) and were evicted in 2004. http://urbanhawks.blogs.com/ or http://www.palemale.com/ . Despite the co-op's best efforts to make them unwelcome, the birds returned this year. The board claimed the nest hazardous because of falling debris such as squirrel, pigeon or rat carcass flung out by the hawks after feeding. New Yorkers love a good cause to fight for and especially one that involved wealthy Upper East Siders playing the "villains".  The press took up the cause for Pale Male and his mate and the force of public opinion persuaded building residents to pay for a structure that would make the next less legally hazardous. Members of the New York City department of Environmental Protection frequently stop by to visit the nest and see how life is going for them. 

Continue on down to the Conservatory Water at 74th on the East Side.  Watch or rent (March-November) remote control sail boats. Check this website link or call (917)522-0054 for rental hours and booking. Races are scheduled every Saturday year around at 10am by the model boat yacht club that was established in 1916 http://www.cpmyc.org 

Playground: Further down in bet. 71st & 72nd & 5th: great climbing equipment, water sprays and sand.
Delacorte Mechanical Clock: around 65th & 5th in the park on the way into the zoo. Chimes (8am to 6pm) on hour.  The clock plays on of 32 nursery rhyme tune and 6 animal figures march around the clock tower. https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/monuments/378 

Central Park Zoo: around 65th and 5th Avenue in the park https://centralparkzoo.com usually open between 10am and 5pm.  Check the website for feeding times.
The Frick Museum: Kids 12 and older and adults can exit the park on the East Side to make a quick visit to the Frick Museum is nearby at 70^th and 5^th www.frick.org - Incredible collection and recorded tour. A relaxed hour will be plenty to cover everything - and nice bookstore.

Albertine french bookstore at 972 5th Ave
Photo courtesy of New Yorker Magazine

If you choose to remain in the park, make your way to the West Side west follow the Park Drive across 72nd Street passing Bethesda Fountain.  Nearby you will find performers of all kinds on the weekend.  Across the way the weekend Roller Disco run by Central Park Dance Skaters Association  (for events click http://cpdsa.org/) from 2.30 to 5.30pm.  Good for people watching and clean toilets in the vicinity. The video below provides is all about these park dance skaters.

The yellow gothic building on the North West corner of 72^nd and Central Park West is the Dakota where John Lennon lived. Exit the park at 72^nd through Strawberry Fields. 

Sadly the Central Park Boathouse closed this year. Hopefully it will reopen in the future.

  

 

The Guggenheim Museum 89th and 5th. Credit: Lisa Betany

Outdoor movie festival Central Park
photo courtesy of West Side Rag

Nearby Museums all worth visiting (click on links for hours, tickets and events):
Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum 90th and 5th (interactive exhibits short visit with great shop) 
The Guggenheim Museum 88th and 5th incredible Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and collection
The Neue Galerie 86th and 5th (beautiful selection of Gustav Klimt paintings and a quick visit ) 
The Metropolitan Museum 84th and 5th (for kids focus on knights and armor or Temple of Dendur)
74th 5th Modern collection
The Frick Museum Temporarily at 74th & Madison while their permanent site at a mansion between 70th & 71st is under renovation - a small collection private collection and very beautiful
American Museum of Natural History 81st and Central Park West a must see for everyone (packed at weekends and lunch good time to go)

Credit: CentralPark.com

Winter activities in the park https://wollmanrinknyc.com/ or check out the link http://www.centralpark.com/things-to-do/activities/fun-fall-and-winter-traditions/ for winter activities especially Winter Jam organized by New York City Parks Department https://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/festivals/winter-jam

Ice Skating in Central Park Credit: CentralPark.com

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

The American Museum of Natural History - what to see, where to eat nearby and all there is to explore in the area. Visit the dinosaurs, the whale and explore space and finish at the Diana Ross playground in Central Park, dog watching at the local dog run, sampling some of the best cookies in the city or a swim at the JCC Manhattan.

Front entrance of the American Museum of Natural History often has long lines.  Check the entrance on 81st Street at the Rose Center for Earth for earth and space; if you don't see any school buses
emptying out it is will likely be quicker to get tickets

Length of trip: Minimum 2 hours

Subway Stop:  81st and Central Park West : C and B trains. 79th and Broadway: 1 Train
Nearest playground

Suitable for: All age groups 

Nearby eating:
Patsy's Pizza (traditional Italian American- 74th and Columbus);

Levain Bakery (NYCs best cookies -74th and Amsterdam);

Shake Shak (considered to make NYCs best burgers - 77th and Columbus),Red Farm (excellent and fresh chinese food- 78th and Broadway;

Serafina (more upmarket pizza, salads, Italian (78th and Broadway)
Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream -79th & Amsterdam, 

Ample Hills Creamery - 85th & Amst, 

16 Handles 75th & Amsterdam (self serve frozen yoghurt & toppings), 

Tacombi (mexican) 78th & Amsterdam, 

Gray's Papaya (famous for its hot dogs) 72nd & Amst - well worth trying. 

Vanessa's Dumpling House - Amsterdam & 82nd

Kee's Chcolate - Columbus betw 70th & 71st. (go early for creme brulee bon bon v. special)

Comments: 
-  To avoid crowds in summer go early or after 3pm when summer camp groups have left.
-  Read up a few of the dinosaur species before you go - the biology and physiology is fascinating and breaths life into the giant bones you will see.  There are some great short videos on the subject.
Highlights: the Hall of Dinosaurs (5th Floor), Akeley Hall of African Mammals (2nd Floor), Hayden Planetarium (Big Bang Space Show), Millstein Family Hall of Ocean Life - the whale (1st Floor), the Hall of Gems and Minerals (under renovation)  the giant screen 3D movies, the Butterfly exhibit
Events:  Check the AMNH website or central park website for events later

Advance Planning: 
Maps of Central Park, (these include running, biking and self guided walking tours.
https://www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit
Floor plan: https://www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit/museum-map 
Educational short AMNH videos  https://www.youtube.com/user/AMNHorg/videos
Best cookies: Levain Bakery Amsterdam & 74th Street https://www.levainbakery.com/

Best chocolates (in NYC!): Kee's Columbus 71st & 72nd https://keeschocolates.com/collections/bonbons

Flea Market on Sundays: Grand Bazaar NYC, Columbus 77th https://grandbazaarnyc.org/gallery/
Swim:at the lovely JCC pool after a visit.  Family swim is usually 2:30-6pm but check the website.  Day passes have to purchased in person and in advance and costs @ $35 per person.  Worth it for a wind down after sight seeing.https://www.jccmanhattan.org.
Check the Central Park blog for websites and Central Park events.
Reading and viewing:  "American Museum of Natural History: 125 Years of Expedition and Discovery" By Lyle Rexer, Rachel Klein, Edward O. Wilson and the AMNH
The AMNH is featured in the following movies:  Night at the Museum (2006) The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Wonderstruck (2017), Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) and Malcolm X (1992)
Starting Point: 81st and Central Park West.

To avoid crowds go early or in the summer visit after

the yellow summer camp school buses have left usually after 3pm - the museum tends to

empty after 2:30pm

The real Indiana Jones and the History of the American Museum of Natural History  The museum was established in 1869 during an era of adventure expedition and renewed interest in nature (following the industrial revolution). The institution funded expeditions to the North Pole, unmapped areas of Siberia, Mongolia and the Gobi Desert as well as the Congo jungle.  The goal was to have explorers return with samples and drawings to educate the public.  In 1913 the Carl Akeley, also an explorer, came up with the idea of the diorama and created the African Mammals Hall at the Museum. Shortly before this the AMNH recruited Roy Chapman Andrews - the inspiration for Indiana Jones.  Andrews explored the Gobi desert looking for the origins of man and instead discovered the dinosaur bones that started the museum collection. You can read about his life and purchase books he wrote on the Roy Chapman Andrews Society website https://roychapmanandrewssociety.org/roy-chapman-andrews/

 

The gift from Indiana Jones - Untold Stories Eps. 1 from Natural History Museum Denmark on Vimeo.

The AMNH dioramas - the exhibits with painted scenic backgrounds and stuffed animals in the foreground, were part of the original exhibits and have recently been restored.  They are treasured by museum staff who understand the painstaking efforts taken by the original artists to recreate what they saw in the wild. They are scientifically accurate and will remain an important part of the museum.

Listen to Sir David Attenborough talk about important role these museums play.

The museum contains 32 million specimens and cultural artifacts and is considered one of the greatest natural history  collections in the world.

The Dinosaur exhibit is on the 5th Floor. It might be worth planning two visits since there is so much to see or simply focus on a few of the dinosaurs.  A few popular ones are T-Rex, Tricerotops and the Sauropods and the Titanosaurus.  Dinosaur facts are abundant on the internet.

The Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Science - the information is dense and hard to understand but the AMNH space video link below allows for a bit of preparation. In the Hall of the Universe you can check out how much you would weigh on different planets.  Don't miss the Birth of the Universe at the Bing Bang Theatre.  https://www.amnh.org/explore/videos/space/(offset)/12

Gem Heist at the AMNH- in 1964 $400,000 worth of gems were stolen from the museum by a surfing champion Jack Murphy and his accomplice Allan Dale Kuhn the story is well told in the Smithsonian Magazine article  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-three-amateur-jewel-thieves-made-new-yorks-most-precious-gems-180949885/ 

Murph the Surf - gem thief

Great places to eat near the American Museum of Natural History & other things to do nearby:

Farmers market on Sunday 77th Street side of AMNH 9am-5pm

• Pre-dinner swim at the JCC Manhattan at 76th and Amsterdam - family swim usually 2:30pm-6pm but requires the purchase of a day pass @ $35 per person. This needs to be done in advance and in person. See Advance Planning section above for link
• The Diana Ross Playground in Central Park. Near entrance on the North side of 81st and Central Park
• Visit the dog run to sit on shaded benches and dog watch in the park beside the museum on 81st Street next to the Rose Center for Earth and Science
• On Sundays - there's a farmers market situated on the 77th Street side of the museum runs from April until December from 9am-5pm
• Check Nearby Eating section above to restaurant option
• Visit Zabars one of the more famous delis in New York City and an institution -pick up cold cuts for a picnic in Central Park

The cheese counter at Zabars@ Broadway between 80th & 81st. 

Levain Bakery- 74th and Columbus

THE MUSEUM MILE, METROPOLITAN MUSEUM AND MORE

Metropolitan Museum Arm & Armor

Stop at the Guggenheim,  or drop into  the Neue Gallery, visit Egyptian Mummies or a room filled with Knights and Armor, try an New York City playground, in warmer months sail a remote control boat in the Conservatory Water at 72nd Street  in Central Park or visit Central Park Zoo - all the above for adults too and perhaps the Frick Collection or ice-skate at Wollman rink

Best time to visit: All year 

Length of trip: Minimum 2 hours

Distance:  Walk along 5th Avenue from 89th to 65th Street with lots of breaks and stops
Subway Stop: 86th & Lexington 

Suitable for: All age groups 

Nearby eating: See blog suggestions
Comments: With kids, Museums are stroller and scooter friendly. Lots of stops along way

Advance Planning: (also see blog on Central Park) the museums and Central Park have constant activities before you go check
check the calendar for activities. Below are useful links (in blue) that list dates, tickets etc.
Maps of Central Park, (these include running, biking and self guided walking tours.
Central Park Activities, (bike rental, boating, pedicab tours, picnic locations etc) Tons to do & read re Rent a Gondola, or rowboat (at the Loeb Boathouse)
Concerts in Central Park Lots going on in the warmer months
Central Park Zoo hours, location, ticket and feeding time details
Delacorte Musical Clock location and information about it.
Shakespeare in the Park free tickets available and how to get them, list plays and showtimes
There's also a list of movies set in Central Park. Grilling and barbecuing are prohibited in the park except for on Memorial Day, July 5th and Labor day at approved locations listed here
The Neue Gallery hours, exhibits, admissions and menu and hours for Cafe Sabarsky
The Guggenheim times, exhibits and admissions
Guggenheim Family activities
Metropolitan Museum of Art  times, exhibits and suggested donations
The Frick Collection time, exhibits and admission
Renting Model Boats in Central Park at @ 74rd and 5th Conservatory Water Central park. Rentals from March to November. Boats cannot be reserved in advance but there is never a long wait.
The Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel for reservation for afternoon tea -details, menu and pricing
Wollman Ice Rink Opening hours (End of October to beginning of March)  also the Wollman Ice Rink website that also host concerts and other activities in summer 

Starting Point: The Guggenheim Museum (89th and 5th)

Nearby eating: All marked on the map.

Neue Galerie Cafe Sabarsky at 86th and 5th https://www.neuegalerie.org/cafesabarsky offers Viennese food in an elegant wood paneled room and serves breakfast (9am-11am), lunch and dinner as well a range of superb pastries and cakes.  Best time to get table 11:45am. Great for hot chocolate in Winter.

Bluestone Lane - Inside Church of the Heavenly Rest at 90th Street & 5th. No res. Simple good food.

Pick-A-Bagel Lexington & 77th. - good bagels and toppings 

Saint Ambroeus Madison between 77th & 78th. Good but fancier -sit down - great people watching.  Best cookies & ice-cream for take-out https://www.santambroeus.com/pages/locations

Serafina Pizza at 79th and Madison offers good pizza and Italian food. https://www.serafinarestaurant.com/location/serafina-fabulous-pizza/

Shake Shack - fast food to go 86th between Lexington & 3rd famous for its burgers https://www.shakeshack.com/ .  

Burger One at 79th & Lexington - sit down good burgers, good value

Le Pain Quotidien at Mineral Springs Central Park West Side @ 69th. Good cafe https://www.centralparknyc.org/locations/le-pain-quotidien-at-mineral-springs

Neue Gallery's Cafe Sabarsky - Credit: Neue Gallery

START: 89th and 5th Avenue at the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum - designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1940s when he was in his 80s. The current main exhibit is all about the famous architect and the building in unforgettable.  Frank Lloyd Wright was aware of the changing structure of family life during his professional life.  He noticed that servants were becoming less of a household feature in the early 20th Century – open plan he believed, would allow a mother be in the kitchen while being able to keep an eye on the activities her family. His designs extended to furniture for his creations and he even clothing for is wife and the women who lived in the houses. (link to article)

A Frank-Lloyd Wright Dress

He was inspired by nature – the shape of the museum is based on the interior of a shell and he hated to to walk into museums and retrace his steps in order to exit – hence the elevator and the ramp. You ride to the top and walk down to the exit. The structure of the building is designed like a spring and Mr. Wright in his presentation of the plans boasted that if New York City were hit by an atomic bomb the building might be thrown in the air, but come back down, bounce and then settle. 

Glamorous shopping is found one block over on Madison Avenue for those who want a break. As an incentive for reluctant museum goers – try E.A.T. gifts at 1062 Madison Avenue at 80th Street – its jammed with a selection of cheap eye catching items that kids would love to own. Another wonderful place to visit is Lady M Cake Boutique at 41 East 78th Street (try a slice of the Mille Crepes).The Ancient Playground next door going south has lots of climbing frames and a sprinkler.

Woman in Gold originally named
after its subject: "Adele Bloch Bauer"

The Neue Gallery houses a collection of Austrian and German art dating from 1890 to 1940 and holds some of Gustav Klimt's best know works familiar to everyone.  Teenagers will enjoy this small museum and I highly recommend Cafe Sabarsky at the museum for breakfast, lunch or to sample some Viennese pastries.  This special cafe has become very popular - so make sure to get there early for breakfast (check out the opening hours on the website listed under "Advance Planning".

This link to the story behind the "Woman in Gold" and Klimt. 

Next stop is the Metropolitan Museum at 5th Avenue and 84th Street, Strollers are allowed during regular museum hours, except Sundays, unless otherwise noted at Museum entrances. Some exhibitions cannot accommodate strollers.

Pick up a map and leaflets about the current exhibits or else make your way to the second floor to explore the museum collection.  With kids we limit our visit to an hour or less.  Though the size can be daunting the Met has some very accessible exhibits.  Most popular are the Arms and Armor, the Egyptian Rooms, the Temple of Dendur and the fashion exhibits.  One of the smallest museums in Manhattan - the size of a closet - was recently relocated here from Cortlandt Street and  You can visit it - before you go watch the video below and charming immigrant tale and now an exhibit at the Met. Everyone will enjoy.

The Frick Collection is housed in a mansion at 71st and 5th (Temporarily at 74th & Madison during construction).  The collection includes many famous paintings  can be enjoyed and covered in a short visit.  The audio tour is excellent and the museum is very manageable for reticent teenagers. Admits ages 12 and over.  The bowling alley in the basement of the Frick, constructed as part of the original mansion - is listed as one of the hidden places of New York and is not accessible to the public.  

The Model Boat Pond Central Park

Remote control boats are available to rent between May and October - head south for Conservatory Water Model Boat Pond – enter Central Park on the south side of 79th Street and walk downtown to the equivalent of 74th street.

Or make your way to Central Park Zoo at 65th and 5th to catch the half hour strike of the Delacorte Musical Clock between the Children's Zoo and the Central Park zoo.  The mechanical clock chimes out nursery rhyme favorites on the half hour as a brass hippo, monkeys and a range of other animal spin in a circle underneath.

The Delacorte Musical Clock
at Central Park Zoo

The zoo is small but popular with kids or save money and watch the seals swim as you pass by.  Check out the feeding times on the Zoo website - link in the "Advance Planning" section. Another alternative is to head for afternoon tea in the Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel - make reservations ahead of time if you plan to do this.  See link at the top of the blog. It's expensive but afternoon tea fans it give it high marks.

And the wild birds and pigeons - how do they manage to live in the city and what happens when they are injured? Watch the video below and discover the work done by the Wild Bird Fund at 565 Columbus Avenue between 87th and 88th Street.

The Wollman rink in Central Park at 63rd Street is open during Winter between the end of October and the beginning of March.  

Map of Souther section of Central Park

The Palm Court at
The Plaza Hotel

RUNNING THE PARK'S 1.66 MILE SECTION OF THE BRIDLE PATH AROUND THE RESERVOIR

Central Park Reservoir 

Surface type: Soft dirt track
Best time to visit: All year 

Length of trip: walking the path takes about 3/4 of a hour

Distance:  Bridle Path around the reservoir 1.66 miles
Subway Stop: 6 on the east side to 86th Street, 1 on the west side to 86th Street
Taxi: have them stop on East Side at 90th or 85th & 5th or  on the West side at 96th or 90th and Central Park West.

Suitable for: All age groups 

Nearby eating: See blog suggestions
Advance Planning: website links https://www.centralparknyc.org/activities/guides/running

Map of Central Park running routes and distances
Website to purchase a map: https://central-park-maps.com/runners.html

STARTING POINT:  Enter the park on the East Side at at any entrance between 96th and 85th Street and walk over to the reservoir the bridle path will be the first non paved road off of the main loop road in Central Park. Or you can enter from the West Side at Central Park West and 86th Street or 90th Streets.

In 1908 it was reported that there were 120,000 horses in New York City.  These days they are always permitted to tread the trail but sadly are a rare sighting. In 2007 Claremont Stables on West 89th Street, the oldest stable in the United States closed its doors after 115 years.

The full bridle path is roughly 6 miles long and was designed in 1863 and by the 1920s there were several hundred horses available for hire to explore this path in the park. In 2007 the oldest stable in the United States on West 89th Street had been operating for 115 years closed its doors.

During the Great Depression Central Park became home for a shanty town.  Following the crash of 1929, many lost their jobs and became homeless.  Some build shacks in Central Park, The Daily News at the time commented about the population that had a view of the park: "From their windows, the 'Haves' may look on the humble houses of the 'Have Nots'."

Courtesy Centralpark.com

THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING AND NEIGHBORHOOD

5th Avenue and 34th Street - Climb to the top of the Empire State Building, explore the bead district, visit a magic shop, eat at one of the oldest steak houses in New York or sample Korean food and see Macy’s, the largest department store in the world. Good trip for gift purchasing. See a magic show in the evening

Best time to visit: All year except when it's foggy or raining. Sunset on a clear day.

Length of trip: Minimum 2 hours

Distance:  Relatively little walking and stroller friendly
Subway Stop: R, N, Q trains 34th and 6th, 1,2 and 3 trains 34th and 7th

Suitable for: All age groups

Nearby eating: See blog suggestions
Advance Planning: website links are in red.
Empire State Building hours, tickets, events, recording of history and times (for times https://www.esbnyc.com/faq ). They suggest the best time to visit is 12pm-2pm to avoid lines or you can order tickets online. In the summer time it stays open until midnight - after 10pm the views are great and the place less packed. The website states: “the lines at the Empire State Building Observatory are as legendary as the building itself. The line actually consists of 3 different lines. The first one is the security line that everyone must go through. Next comes the ticket line. Visitors with pre-purchased tickets can skip this line which can save a considerable amount of time during our busiest times. The 3rd and last line is for the elevators that take you to the Observatory”.  Summer and holidays busy. 

Bryant Park Ice-skating November - March, free. Skate rental and helmet charges.

Bryant Park Winter village - November - March. Great browsing

Bryant Park Summer calendar - outdoor movies, concerts, juggling, stories, yoga etc 
Tannens Magic Shop    45 West 34th Street, Suite 608. Hours: 11am -6pm Weekdays, Saturday 10am-4pm. The oldest magic store in NYC
Houdini Museum  online mostly
The Morgan Library check red link for opening hours and exhibits
Madison Square Garden calendar of events and ticket purchase
Magic After Hours Show at Tannen's Magic Store for 16 years and older after hours tour and magic

Out of the Neighborhood magic shows

Monday Night Magic  Magic show for adults & kids 12 up (call for family nights for younger kids)
Chamber Magic Magic show for adults & kids 12 up

The Quantum Eye Magic show for everyone 8 hears old and up

START: 34th and Fifth Avenue The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building was the tallest building in the city for a very long time. The recorded tour can be listened to online or on your phone before your trip - it is excellent – describes the frenzied pace of the push to build the tallest building in New York City and how it was designed as a Zeppelin docking station.  The documentary made by Ken Burns explains it all -New York: A documentary film (snippet below). There’s an annual running race to the top of the building - usually in October Link to Empire State Building run.  

 

The skyscraper is lit in different colors to mark different occasions - an LED lighting system permits a range of 16 million colors.  They go out nightly at 2am and on one day in the year, the last Saturday in March they go off for an hour at 8:30pm to join the World Wildlife Federation world movement to recognize climate change. You can check out the color calendar ahead of your visit  through this link . Lights have been dimmed around the city in order to reduce energy costs and negative effects on wildlife - landmarks like the Empire State Building however, are exempt from these new policies.  L It's worth exploring the website full of answers to practical solutions:https://www.esbnyc.com/faq

Proposing - a pros and cons and how to list for proposing on top of the Empire State Building:

Proposing at the ESBNY how to

Alternately you can pay $1,000 and book the exclusive proposal package! https://www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets/happily-ever-empire

Other places to propose!!

Can I get married at the Empire State Building?

We do not host private wedding ceremonies. However, the Empire State Building holds its annual Valentine's Day Weddings contest, where couples are selected to get married on February 14, at the world's most romantic building. Please visit our Facebook page for more information and to enter.

Afterwards, visit Toho Shoji Inc. 8 Bryant Park, Store 2, Bead and Trim for a giant assortment of beads. This used to be called the bead district. Many stores have closed over the last two years. 

Bryant Park is in the same area - in winter there's an ice rink and winter village - in the summer outdoor movies and activities Bryant Park Calendar and Faqs  . The ice rink is free and skate rentals are reasonably priced and can be done online. The Winter Village runs from the end of October to March. Great for gifts. 

Follow up with Tannens Magic (est. 1925) at 45 W. 34^th St., Suite 608.  Check out hours through the link. It is one of the oldest magic stores in New York City and a treat for anyone. The shop staff are always happy to demonstrate tricks. Ask about D-Lite – a trick that’s fun for 4 year olds up - easy and impressive trick for kids and adults to practice and perform.

Click on the following blog link to learn about his life  Wild About Harry.

Keens Chop House

My family's favorite place for lunch is the 120 year old Keens Chop House at 72 West 36th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.  It's a steakhouse and serves one of the best burgers in the city.  Otherwise sample Korean food.  Koreatown runs roughly from 31st to 36th Streets between 5th and 6th Avenues.   Try Baekjeong at 1 East 32nd Street for very Korean Barbeque or Jongro at 22 West 32nd Street on the 2nd floor (hard to find but worth it).  Both are between 5th and 6th Avenues.   Might be fun to check out these guidelines in relation to Korean dining etiquette 

After, cross the street to Macy's (the largest department store on the planet!) the New York Times video below provides an insight into the complexities of running a store of this fame and size.  

 Nearby, explore the many clothing and shoe stores including Old Navy along 34th Streets between 6th and 7th Avenues. The Lindt Chocolate Shop is at 7 West 34th Street - right off of 5th Avenue

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Other places to check out in the area: The Morgan Library and Museum at 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street where you will find the original manuscript of "The Little Prince" and "The Story of Babar the Little Elephant" see "Advance Planning" for hours and exhibits.  Madison Square Garden (7th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets) home of the New York Knicks and venue for touring shows. Book shows in advance if possible!