Central Park
Central Park is an 843 acre park in Manhattan. The original park covered 778 acres and opened in 1859. The northern section opened in 1876. I was not able to cover the north section during my trip.
My walk in the park is going to begin at the Plaza Hotel and end just south of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir–The large body of water near the center of the park. On my return to the hotel I will walk south on the east side of the park. Even though I covered the southern part of the park, I did miss things as I zig-zagged through the park.
Just across from Central Park is the Plaza Hotel. You may recognize this hotel from the movie Home Alone 2.
I wanted to stop by a Nathan’s Hot Dog stand that I thought was at the southeast corner of the park, but it wasn’t there. I entered the park without hot dog.
The first thing I came to after entering the park is the pond. The stone bridge at the far end is Gapstow bridge going over the pond.
This is a look back at the city and the Plaza hotel from the pond.
Next we come to Wollman Rink. This is an ice skating rink in the winter. Today it’s being used for roller skate disco.
Next we come to the first of three ballparks in Central Park. Heckscher Ballfields. I believe this is primarily used for softball these days. It originally had a building that was built as a changing room for the players. That building is now a cafe.
Dalehead Arch is a sandstone and brownstone arch at 64th Street built to allow horses and carriages to cross the park.
Prior to 1934, when Tavern On The Green was built, the building at this location housed sheep.
They have an indoor and outdoor bar here. It’s a bit warm outside so I’m going to cool off inside.
This is from the Talea Beer Co. in Booklyn. It’s their Sun Up Hazy IPA. Generally I’m not a huge IPA fan, but this is one of the best I’ve had. It might be the best IPA I’ve had.
Here is their full beer list.
Just outside of Tavern on the Green you can see 55 Central Park West. This was the building that was used at the end of Ghostbusters.
Shakespheare Garden is near the Delacorte Theater where Shakespheare in the park productions are held.
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre was built in Sweden and moved to New York for the 1876 World’s Fair as an example of a school house. It has been used as a marionette theatre for around 50 years now.
This is Belvedere Castle which was built in 1872 as a place to enjoy the views of Central Park. This is also where the Park’s visitors center and gift shop are located.
We will now ascend to the top of Belvedere Tower.
I am heading out of the park now. My original plan was to eat a Nathan’s hot dog at the entrance to the park, walk through the southern half of the park, then cut over to Papaya King to try their hot dog. I missed Nathan’s but I’m at the point where I need to cut over to Papaya King.
Look at that!
I was expecting to have them more spaced out but it looks like I’m going to have a Nathan’s and a Papaya King after all.
The typical combo here is two hot dogs and a drink. I just had a hot dog and I want to get a slice of pizza nearby so I’m skipping the other dog.
The hot dog is good but this papaya drink is the star of the show here. There are other papaya hot dog stands around town but this is the original. The owner of this one isn’t associated with the others.
Vinnie’s Pizza is a nearby place that was also on my list. Let’s try a slice.
That’s good. I don’t have any other New York pizza to compare it to yet. But it’s good.
I’m going to walk back along the eastern side of Central Park heading south.
The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art “The Met” is the largest Art Museum in the Americas.
This statue is dedicated to inventor Robert Morse.
Richard Morris Hunt was an architect who designed several buildings along Fifth Avenue including “The Met.” This bust was done by the same sculptor who did the Lincoln Memorial.
The 107th Infantry Memorial is dedicated to those who died in World War I.
A guy just busted it on a Citi bike right next to me. He tried to jump a curb…and the curb won.
I passed several Nathan’s stands on the way back. They are definitely plentiful along the eastern side of the park.
I need to get back to the hotel to get ready for my Broadway show.
Along the way I passed Trump Tower.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
And Radio City Music Hall.
I think the guy on the right is the singer Camilo who is performing here tonight.
I made it back to my hotel. That was my trip through Central Park. Now I need to get ready for Phantom of the Opera.
