Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Meer, at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox avenues (subway: 2,
3 to Central Park N./110th St.). The Dana Center is also an envi-
ronmental education center hosting workshops, exhibits, music pro-
grams, and park tours, and lends fishing poles for fishing in Harlem
Meer. (Park policy is catch-and-release.)
Food carts and vendors are set up at all of the park's main gather-
ing points. You'll also find a fixed food counter at the Conservatory,
on the east side of the park north of the 72nd Street entrance, and
both casual snacks and more sophisticated New American dining at
The Boat House, on the lake near 72nd Street and Park Drive
North ( & 212/517-2233 ).
GUIDED WALKS The Central Park Conservancy offers a slate
of free walking tours of the park; call & 212/360-2726 or check
www.centralparknyc.org for the current schedule (click on the
“Walking Tours” button on the left). The Dana Center hosts ranger-
guided tours on occasion (call & 212/860-1370 or 800/201-PARK
for a schedule). Also consider a private walking tour; many of the
companies listed in “Organized Sightseeing Tours,” below, offer
guided tours of the park.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Call the main number at
& 212/360-3444 for recorded information, or 212/310-6600 or
212/628-1036 to speak to a live person. Call & 888/NY-PARKS for
special events information. The park also has two comprehensive
websites that are worth checking out before you go: The city parks
department's site at www.centralpark.org , and the Central Park
Conservancy's site at www.centralparknyc.org , both of which fea-
ture excellent maps and a far more complete rundown of park attrac-
tions and activities than I have room to include here. If you have an
emergency in the park, dial & 800/201-PARK, which will link you
directly to the park rangers.
SAFETY TIP Even though the park has the lowest crime rate of
any of the city's precincts, keep your wits about you, especially in the
more remote northern end. It's a good idea to avoid the park entirely
after dark, unless you're heading to one of the restaurants for dinner
or to a Shakespeare in the Park event.
EXPLORING THE PARK
The best way to see Central Park is to wander along its 58 miles of
winding pedestrian paths, keeping in mind the following highlights.
Before starting, stop by the Information Center in the Dairy
( & 212/794-6464; daily 11am-5pm, to 4pm in winter), midpark in
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