"Climb a summit boulder, take in the view over a reservoir, and walk through history and greenery in this crossing of one of the world’s greatest urban parks."

--Daniel Case, AMC's Best Day Hikes Near New York City (Appalachian Mountain Club Books).

"Few places in New York City are as enjoyable as Central Park. Fifty-one streets long, three avenues wide, it is the playground for anyone and everyone: wealthy and poor, young and old, native and guest, human and animal and plant. With its simple, direct name and its hearty embrace of nature, it offers so much in the way of activity or plain old rest and relaxation.

From the simple joys of strolling and sitting upon wooden benches or craggy rocks to a wide variety of group and individual sports, from highly touted cultural events to historic exploration, from posh eating to casual snacking—Central Park is enormous fun. Birds, fish, small mammals (cute and not so cute) abound, as do trees and plants."

--Ellen Levitt, Walking Manhattan (Wilderness Press).

"To walk along Central Park West is to be dazzled by some of the most extraordinary apartment buildings in Manhattan and the United States. Fans, students, and practitioners of architecture will find much to appreciate and study. Among the most celebrated are The Dakota and The San Remo, but there are many other splendid structures. Some occupy a whole block; others are more modest in size.

Walking this straight line brings together fine and decorative arts on your left, nature and playtime on your right (the western side of Central Park). In addition to residences, you’ll see the beloved American Museum of Natural History and the New-York Historical Society, impressive churches, and the synagogue of the oldest congregation in the Americas. You will also notice that the start and end of this tour take place at park circles featuring meaningful monuments."

--Ellen Levitt, Walking Manhattan (Wilderness Press).

"From Central Park’s bustling main gateway at Grand Army Plaza, this tranquil ride leads along car- free park drives through the 840 acres that make up Central Park, the city’s fifth- largest park system.

En route, you can stop off at numerous major park landmarks—from the ancient Obelisk near the Metropolitan Museum of Art to Bethesda Terrace; from the sprawling Sheep Meadow at the park’s southern end to the tranquil Conservatory Garden in the north. Explore Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, or the park’s grand Mall along the way, and circumnavigate the park once more at the end of your journey because there’s always more to see."

--Mary Staub, Best Bike Rides New York City (Falcon Guides).