Central Park, situated in the very heart of New York, is definitely a place not to be missed. It is here that on the 843-acre carpet of green one can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The magnificent park, set up by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Viaux in the 1860s and '70s, with its wooded paths, lush meadows, glassy water ponds, grassy hills, cool forests, romantic cast-iron bridges attracts 2 million visitors per year. In the serene nature, so craved for by both New Yorkers and tourists, one can pursue a wide variety of sports or, if rather not fond of strenuous exercise, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the meandering paths within the boundaries of the extensive Central Park.

The centerpiece of Central Park is the Bethesda Terrace with a fountain crowned with the ''Angel of the Waters'' sculpture considered as one of the most uplifting sights in this oasis of peace and quiet of New York. As the Bethesda Fountain edges the Lake, one of the five water reservoirs of Central Park, one can admire its clear water while having a delicious snack at one of the outdoor cafes or rowing a boat rented from the nearby Loeb Boathouse. The romantic float around Central Park's Lake is not the only activity to be practised in the middle of the urban paradise.

The park boasts a wide variety of facilities for hikers, joggers (a 1.58-mile track along Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir), cyclists, in-line skaters, soccer players, horseback riders, catch-and-release fishermen, croquet players, lawn bowlers, boat model racers and rock-climbers. However, Central Park is also popular with winter activities enthusiasts. It is then that the great leveler swarms with cross-country skiers (skiing along Sheep Meadow) and ice skaters (gliding around Wollman Skating Rink).

Central Park is also reputed for its lush plantings and rich fauna. Thus, if seeking a rest close to the nature, visit the Ramble or the Conservatory Garden. The former is a 15-hectare forest, a home to over 2,700 bird species, hence, a paradise for bird-watchers, whereas the latter is a 2.5-hectare garden filled with fountains, trees and plants which looks most splendid in spring while in full bloom. Another garden worth seeing is the Strawberry Fields, a memorial to John Lennon, the most visited spot in Central Park.

Central Park has also a lot to offer to kids who can crawl over the Alice in Wonderland statue, listen to stories told by the Hans Christian Andersen statue, mount a tree house in the Safari Playground, watch the animals in the Central Park Wildlife Center and Tisch Children's Zoo, enjoy a ride on a hand-carved horse carousel, see a marionette theater show in the Swedish Cottage.

Moreover, in summer Central Park turns into a cultural hub. In June and July the grand Great Lawn hosts free admission open-air shows held by the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera. Other important cultural events include free New York Public Theater Shakespeare productions and Summer Stage pop music and dance shows.  You will not be bored here!