Parks, Botanical Gardens, Aquarium, and Zoos in New York

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Despite New York's density and many buildings, it has many "green lungs": expansive parks, zoos, botanical gardens, and playgrounds. 17% of its area is dedicated to parks and playgrounds.

Entrance to parks is free, but for the zoo and the aquarium there is a fee, and also for museums, observation towers, and additional attractions it costs quite a lot of money, so it is recommended to buy a combined discount ticket for several attractions.

Discounted Entry Tickets for Museums and Attractions in New York:

Entry ticket packages and attractions in New York from GetYourGuide.com:

 

New York City Pass - New York City Pass is a combined entry ticket to six popular tourist sites in the city, including the Empire State Building, a cruise around Manhattan or to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and four museums. It is worthwhile for those who plan to visit at least four of these attractions. You can use the ticket for 9 days from the day you visited the first attraction. There is also an option to purchase a ticket for only 3 attractions.

The ticket can be purchased directly from this site:

CityPASS New York - 6 (or 3) great attractions in one ticket.

 

Central Park

This is the most famous and largest park in New York. It is a well-maintained green lung in the heart of Manhattan's bustling skyscrapers. The park area is 843 acres and it stretches from 59th Street in the south to 110th Street in the north, and from Fifth Avenue in the east to Central Park West in the west. In the park, which was established 150 years ago, are fountains, lakes, lawns, and paths, statues and paved plazas. There are more than 500,000 trees and shrubs in the park!

It is recommended to visit the park on weekends when it is crowded, full of activities, and especially vibrant. It is worth starting the visit to the park at the visitor center, housed in a Victorian-Gothic building called The Dairy. The park has many family attractions, such as: the zoo (on 64th Street, phone: 212-439-6500) which serves as a home to many animals from small insects to polar bears, including endangered animals such as Tamarin monkeys and red pandas. The first home for animals in the park was established already in 1864 when there was a need for a home for the many animals donated to the park, from white swans to black bears. Daily you can watch animal feedings (for example: penguin feeding and sea lion feeding performed twice a day at fixed hours).

In the park is the Delacorte Theater (on 79th Street) which hosts an annual festival of Shakespeare plays, puppet theater shows (mostly on weekends), an ice skating rink (on 62nd Street), open throughout the year: in winter for ice skating and in summer for rollerblading and mini-golf games.

One of the favorite attractions for toddlers and a source of nostalgia for adults is the historical carousel (on 64th Street). The first carousel was built in the park already in 1871. Those who operated and turned it were a blind horse and a mule. The current carousel was built in 1908 and was placed in Coney Island outside a trolley station. It was moved to its current location in Central Park after the original carousel was destroyed in a fire in the fall of 1950. All the sculptures on the carousel are handmade. The size of the horse sculptures is ¾ the size of a real horse. To this day, the carousel and its figures are painted manually. 150 different melodies play while the carousel spins.

In the park, there is also a Wildlife Conservation Center (on 64th Street) displaying animals in their natural environment (entrance for a nominal fee).

 In the park is a castle (on 79th Street) called "Belvedere Castle," from the 19th century built on a rock, from which a wonderful view of the park is reflected and it contains a nature center named: Henry Luce Natural Observatory.

Free guided walking tours take place in the park on weekends by Manhattan National Park Rangers. The tour duration is an hour to an hour and a half (not recommended for small children).

Trolley tours (special bus) around the park are held Monday-Friday several times a day. A lovely way to tour the park is in a horse-drawn carriage. You can also rent bicycles and pedal boats for sailing in the lakes.

 

Battery Park

A park at the southern tip of Manhattan from which a great view of the Statue of Liberty and many ships is reflected. It constitutes a starting point for sailing to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as well as for a walking tour at the memorial site for the "World Trade Center," the late "Twins." Bounded by the streets: Battery Pl., State and Whitehall Sts.

Hudson River Park

A park 8 km long stretching between Battery Pl. and 59th Street along the Hudson River. This is the place to stretch your limbs, run, ride bicycles, rollerblade and watch the sunset. This is actually a long promenade passing between lawns and piers, among others, along the Chelsea Piers; these are four piers full of activity, sport, and entertainment, such as: baseball, ice skating, bowling, climbing wall, tennis, etc. There are many diverse restaurants in the place (between 17th and 24th Streets). Along the Hudson River Park are playgrounds, historical ships that can be toured, and many additional activities such as: fishing, mini-golf, kayaking, trapeze lessons, skateboarding, and more. Many events and shows are held in the park.

High Line Park

A modern urban park (its first part opened in 2009 and the second in 2011) with a beautiful promenade and a lot of atmosphere near the Chelsea neighborhood. From Chelsea Market, continue on W 15th St towards the pier until you reach an elevated park established on the ruins of old elevated railroad tracks. The park continues until 30th Street and crosses about three neighborhoods. The park overlooks the Hudson River on one side and the city spread to its east on the other. Along the park are several cafes, delis, and food stalls. Artworks from different styles are scattered throughout the park. The southernmost entrance to the park is from Gansevoort Street and the northernmost is West 30th Street (with an elevator). Along the way, the park has several entrances and exits at West 14th, 16th, 18, 20, 23, 26, and 28th streets. Open daily to the public between 7:00-22:00.

 

New York Aquarium

The aquarium is located in Coney Island, Brooklyn, on the beach and contains thousands of fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, and other sea creatures. Shows of sea lions, seals, dolphins, and beluga whales take place there. There is an interesting display of stingrays and glowing jellyfish. Daily you can watch penguin and shark feedings.

 Address: Surf Ave. (W. 8 St.), Brooklyn. It is recommended to combine the visit to the aquarium with a visit to the amusement park in Coney Island and a walking tour on the promenade by the water.

Bronx Zoo

This is the central zoo of New York, considered one of the largest in the world. It has over 600 species of animals. To manage to see most of it, you should dedicate at least half a day. The animals are in an environment simulating their natural habitat. Don't miss the world of elephants, seals, the unique world of darkness, the butterfly garden, the jungle world, the reptile world, the gorilla forest, and the new tiger mountain. You can take camel rides, recommended! In the garden, a monorail, a regular train, and a cable car operate (the ride is for an additional fee). Inside the garden is also a "Children's Zoo" (closed in winter), the entry to which involves an additional fee. During most months of the year (March-November), the zoo is open daily. Monday-Friday it is open between 10:00-17:00 and on weekends until 17:30. Entry is for a fee. Discount for children up to age 12 and seniors over age 65. Address: Boston Rd., Bronx (near Bronx River Pkwy).

New York Botanical Garden

Impressive botanical gardens, among the largest in the world, with a division into 48 areas, some covered and some open. There is also a children's adventure garden on-site including mazes, animals, and rock climbing. A small train tours among the gardens and additionally, guided walking tours take place. Particularly impressive in spring and fall. It is worth combining the visit to the place with a visit to the Bronx Zoo. Address: 200th St. (Kazimiroff Blvd), Bronx.

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

These gardens are much smaller than the gardens in the Bronx (see above), but they also have impressive and unique displays. Among the various areas in the garden, the tropical plant gardens, the Japanese gardens (blooming in spring in all their glory), and the Bonsai museum stand out for their beauty. There are also recommended "Discovery Gardens" for children.

 Address: 1000 Washington Ave., Brooklyn.

Prospect Park

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are adjacent to Prospect Park, nicknamed "Central Park's younger brother," which features lawns, lakes, playgrounds and sports fields, an ancient carousel, a roller rink, horseback riding, and a small zoo.

Flushing Meadows- Corona Park

Two World's Fairs were held in this park in the past, and today it houses a zoo, a science center, an ice skating rink, museums, bicycle paths, the Queens Botanical Gardens, tennis courts (where the US OPEN tennis tournament takes place), playgrounds and ball games, a lake where you can sail in pedal and row boats, and more. The park is located in Queens and borders Roosevelt Ave and 111th Street.

 

 

Major Attractions in New York

Details on the following viewpoints and attractions are provided in the article: New York Destinations, Viewpoints, and Attractions for the Traveler

Recommended Viewpoints over the City

♦ Empire State Building

♦ "Top of the Rock" TOP OF THE ROCK

♦ Statue of Liberty

♦ Brooklyn Bridge

♦ Roosevelt Island Tramway

 

Additional Attractions in the City

♦ Fifth Avenue

♦ Rockefeller Center

♦ Times Square :

♦ South Street Seaport

♦ The "Ground Zero" - Twin Towers site World Trade Center Site

♦ United Nations Headquarters (UN)

♦ Chinatown

♦ Lincoln Center

♦ Grand Central Terminal

 

Theater and Entertainment Shows

In New York, there is an abundance of plays and entertainment shows of all types and levels and it is considered one of the most important theater centers in the world.

Details in the article: Theater and entertainment shows in New York.

Tickets for popular shows in New York from Viator:

 

Recommended site for purchasing tickets for shows, theater, and sports events in New York:

Ticket Network

 

 

Sports in New York

New York is a paradise for sports enthusiasts. It has famous and recommended teams in all branches of sport.

Additional details in the article: Sports in New York.

 

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