1. Central Park
Central Park is one of my favorite places in the city. It’s 843 acres of green grass and open skies: the perfect place to explore, have a picnic, or just spend a lazy day sprawled out on the grass with friends. There are various restaurants, parks and ponds to see when you enter the park, and the edges are rimmed with some of New York’s best museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the American Museum of Natural History.
Hours: 6:00am – 1:00am daily
Price: Free (!)
Location: The park stretches from 59th street to 1110th street between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West (Eighth Avenue), so there are several subway stations that can get you to the park.
Subway Access: For the N Q and R trains: 59th street/5 Ave station
For the 4 5 6 trains: 59 Street/Lexington Ave
For the A B and C trains: 81st Street, 86th Street Station, 96th Street Station, 103rd Street Station
My only advice would be to do a bit of research on the park before visiting to plan out which end to enter, what you want to see, etc. And if you’re already at the park you might as well see the…
2. Central Park Zoo
Located near the south end of the park, the Central Book boasts a variety of different exhibits, such as the Allison Maher Stern Snow Leopard, the Central Garden, the Polar Circle and the Temperature Territory. You can also see a variety of animals at the zoo like monkeys, red pandas, cranes, penguins, seals and arctic birds. There is also a children’s zoo, the Tisch Children’s Zoo, and the Dancing Crane Cafe where zoo guests can find healthy meal choices.
Hours: from late March to early November, the zoo hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm daily
Price: $12.00 for Adults (13 and older), $7.00 for Children (3-12), Children 2 and under are free
Location: 64th Street and 5th Avenue
More info at the Central Park Zoo website!
3. Coney Island
Coney Island is open from around Easter through Halloween. It boasts a variety of different attractions and eateries such as Luna Park, the Boardwalk, bumper cars, an arcade and even a beach. There are fireworks on the island every Friday during the season (around the end of June to around the Friday before Labor Day) at 9:30.
Hours: “During the week, rides and attractions may open at noon and run until the late evening. During the weekends, the same rides and attractions open around noon and may run until the early morning.” – Coney Island website
Price: Luna Park, Scream Zone and the Cyclone Roller Coaster: $20/ person
Location: 1208 Surf Avenue Brooklyn, New york 11224
Take the D, Q, N or F Train to Coney Isand-Stillwell Avenue
More information about Coney Island can be found on the website!
4. New York Aquarium
If you’re already at Coney Island, you might as well stop by and see the New York Aquarium (and vice versa). While there aren’t any dolphins or whales, you can still see other arctic mammals and fish like sharks, seals, walruses and turtles. You can also see penguin, sea otter and walrus feedings throughout the day.
Hours: 10:00am – 4:30pm
Price: All ages: $11.95 at the gate ($10.75 online), Children 2 and under get in free
Location: Surf Avenue and West 8th Street Brooklyn, New York 11244
More info at the NY Aquarium website!
5. High Line
The High Line is a public park located high above the streets on the West Side. It’s a beautiful, flower-filled walk that is also a cultural experience: you can see artwork on your walk, or stop at L’arte del Gelato or Melt Bakery, which offers homemade ice cream sandwiches, depending on what end of the park you enter on. There are also various art and design tours that take place weekly so you can learn about what you’re seeing,
Hours: (April 1-May 31) 7:00am – 10:00pm
Location: Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street between 10th and 12th Avenues
From Washington Square Park, go to the West 4th Street Station and take the E train uptown to 23rd Street stop
For information, go to the High Line website!