Central Park, The Pond and Wollman Rink is great in the winter 8:38 AM

New York isn't New York without Central Park: its greatest natural treasure.  It's the fastest escape from New York without leaving the city.  For starters, if you don't know what to do because it's so vast then I suggest just getting lost through the myriad of paths that cut across the park.  The best starting point is at 59th St and 5th Ave (SE corner of the park) because you quickly access well known landmarks like the pond, Gapstow Bridge, and Wollman Skating Rink.   I would recommend starting your walk right before dusk because the city begins to light up and the view of the city from the bridge or the rink is amazing.

  • Walk directly to the pond first and you'll quickly realize that you've escaped the hustle and bustle of New York.  Walk to the Gapstow bridge and from there you can marvel at the juxtaposition of nature and cement buildings which create a unique harmony that can only occur in New York. 
  • Not to far from the bridge is the Wollman Skating Rink (east side b/w 62nd and 63rd St). The only fair warning here is that it can get crowded.  Fortunately, the rink is huge and somewhat circular - it's larger than a normal hockey rink and much larger than the skating rink at Rockefeller.   It'll be quickly familiar to you because romantic movie scenes have been filmed here:  Love Story, Serendipity, etc.

     


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