The park isn’t just full of people on a break from shopping
in the city or couples on romantic strolls; there is plenty to keep families
entertained too. We were at a loose end this weekend and aware the temperatures
could begin to drop any day now we headed for Central Park to enjoy the
autumnal magic.
Below I’ve listed our five favourite highlights from the
day, I hope you enjoy them too.
1. The Carousel
Would you believe that even thought we’ve visited Central
Park countless times, we’ve never ridden the carousel? Well what better day to
fix that than on a beautiful fall afternoon!
A carousel has stood at this spot in Central Park since
1871. The original ride was powered by an actual live horse underneath it! Fires
destroyed the subsequent two, and the current carousel was found abandoned in
Coney Island in 1950 after it was originally built in 1908. You can ride on one
of the 57 magnificent horses on this beautiful vintage carousel seven days a
week (weather permitting) for only $3.
2. The Model Boats
Kerbs boathouse over at Conservatory Water is the famous
place where Stuart Little the mouse from E.B. Whites story sailed his boat to
victory in 1993.
Don’t worry if you don’t have your own sailboat you can rent
one from the boathouse and take part in the fun. On Saturday mornings they even
have races on the water.
We also love to grab a drink and a snack at the small café
in the boathouse when the weather is kind as they have some nice outdoor
seating, which is sheltered by the trees. It’s a beautiful Central Park
location to watch not only the boats but also the world go by.
3. The street entertainers
Sometimes you’ve just got to stop and chase the bubbles! I’m
not sure if the street performers in Central Park are licenced to be there or
if they just turn up. I certainly feel like I see the same acts most times I
visit and they are generally in the same area (near the fountain everyone
mistakes for the one from the Friends opening credits).
On this visit to the park, a guy blowing bubbles appeared to
really capture the imagination of B and some other children passing though. He
probably could of stayed there all day chasing them!
4. The Rowboats
When we first arrived in New York last October, we visited
Central Park and I remember being amazed that it was still warm enough to have
the rowboats out. Despite the jet lag and exhaustion of an international move
we were captured by the magic of it all and we spent the best part of an hour
exploring the lake by boat. So seeing the row boats out at this time of year
will always remind me of that first trip to Central Park with B.
We didn’t ride them this visit but it was fun watching some couples
board the boats in wedding outfits (white dress included) for an impromptu
photoshoot.
When the weather is still warm enough, typically April
through to October rowboats and gondolas can be rented daily from the Loeb
Boathouse.
5. Central Park Zoo
With some exhibits indoors and some outdoors when the
weather can be unpredictable, you get the best of both worlds at the Zoo.
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