Central Park is an obvious focus for recreation. from croquet and chess to soccer and swimming. Joggers, in-line skaters, walkers and cyclists have the roads to themselves on weekdays 10am-3pm & 7-10pm and all day on weekends. In addition, boaters can head to the Loeb Boathouse (tel 212/517-2233; $10/hr), which hires out rowboats in warm weather months. To find out what is going on where and when, try the Arsenal, at 830 5th Ave at 64th Street, and pick up the Green Pages , which tell you about every activity, from archery to wild-food walks.

 

Year-round, Central Park provides sure-fire entertainment for children. In the summer it becomes one giant playground, with activities ranging from storytelling to rollerblading to rowboating. The following are merely a few of the highlights.

The Carousel 64th St mid-park.
For just $1, children can take a spin on the country's largest hand-carved horses.

Central Park Wildlife Conservation Center (Zoo), 5th Ave at 64th St.
A small but enjoyable zoo, with sea lions, polar bears, monkeys and the Tisch Children's zoo.

Hans Christian Andersen statue 72nd St on the East Side (next to the Boat Pond).
A forty-or-so-year tradition of storytelling sessions; Wed & Sat 11am-noon, June to Sept.

Loeb Boathouse 72nd St mid-park.
Rent a rowboat on the Central Park lake and enjoy the views or take a gondola ride in the evening. Bike rentals available too.

Wollman Rink 62nd St mid-park tel 212/396-1010.
Roller/in-line skating during the summer and ice-skating during the winter. Skate rental and instruction available.