The High Line is a mile-and-a-half elevated urban park built on a disused Manhattan freight railway offering visitors spectacular city and Hudson River views alongside world-class public art lush landscaping and a vibrant year-round programme of cultural events.
New York: New York City – Central Park
🗽 Central Park – New York’s Great Green Escape
When we lived close to New York City, we’d find ourselves drifting into Central Park fairly regularly, sometimes with a plan, more often without one. It was simply somewhere to go when the city got a bit too much — which, if you’ve spent more than twenty minutes in Midtown Manhattan, you’ll understand happens rather quickly. There’s always something going on in there: buskers hammering out jazz, impromptu art shows, Shakespeare productions, ice skating in winter. It’s one of those rare places that genuinely earns the word vibrant without making you want to reach for the sick bag.
Central Park as we know it today began to take shape in 1858, when landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition with what they called the Greensward Plan — a rather grand name for what was, at its heart, a plan to give ordinary New Yorkers somewhere to breathe. The city was growing at a ferocious pace, immigrants were pouring in, tenements were crammed to the rafters, and someone in authority had the surprisingly sensible idea that people might benefit from a bit of grass and fresh air. Construction began that same year on what was then a rather scrubby, swampy patch of Manhattan real estate, and it took until around 1876 before the whole 843-acre park was substantially complete. Over 20,000 workers were involved, and around 10 million cartloads of stone, soil and material were shifted in the process. For a Victorian public works project, it was frankly enormous.
Today, more than 150 years on, it’s still doing exactly what it was designed to do — giving people a reason to slow down. With around 42 million visits a year, it’s one of the most visited urban parks in the United States, and one of the most recognisable patches of greenery on the planet. Not bad for a bit of Manhattan that was once considered too rocky and boggy to build on.
🎡 Things To Do In Central Park
1. 🐴 Carriage Rides
One of the quintessentially touristy things to do in Central Park — and we say that with affection, not contempt — is to take a horse-drawn carriage ride. We did exactly this on our first visit to New York City, which happened to be in January. It was, to use the technical meteorological term, absolutely freezing. The kind of cold that makes your face feel like it’s been filed down with sandpaper. To their credit, the carriage drivers are well used to this, and ours had blankets at the ready, which helped enormously. We shuffled under them like a pair of elderly tortoises and tried to look as though we were enjoying the experience in a dignified, cosmopolitan sort of way. I don’t think we entirely pulled it off.
The carriage ride tradition in Central Park goes back to the mid-19th century, when the park first opened and horse-drawn vehicles were, of course, simply how one got about. For decades, the wealthy would parade through the park in their private carriages — it was the social event of the week, a chance to see and be seen. These days it’s rather more democratic, though not exactly cheap. A fifteen-minute ride will set you back around $60 for the carriage, which seats up to four adults, so at least you can split the cost with friends and pretend it’s a bargain. It isn’t, really, but you tend to forgive these things when you’re trotting past the Bethesda Fountain with the skyline looming over the treeline. It’s the sort of experience you’ll do once, think “well, that was rather lovely,” and then bring up at dinner parties for years afterwards. Which is arguably the entire point.
If you’re planning to do it — and on balance, we’d say it’s worth it — book ahead, particularly in the summer months when the park is heaving. Most carriage operators have their own websites where you can reserve in advance, which is considerably more sensible than trying to flag one down on a busy Saturday afternoon whilst seventeen other tourists are attempting the same thing.
2. 🏰 Belvedere Castle
Perched on top of Vista Rock — which sounds considerably more dramatic than it looks, though it does the job — Belvedere Castle offers some genuinely lovely views across Central Park and beyond. Look north and you get the wide open sweep of the Great Lawn, plus the Delacorte Theater, where free Shakespeare productions are staged every summer, often featuring the sort of famous names you’d normally pay a small fortune to watch. Look south and you’re gazing over the Ramble, a deliberately wild and tangled woodland area that feels oddly remote for somewhere in the middle of Manhattan.
Built in 1869, Belvedere was never actually a castle in any meaningful sense — no knights, no drawbridge, no damp dungeons. It was designed purely as a picturesque architectural ornament and viewing point for park visitors. It fell into rather sorry disrepair over the decades before being renovated and reopened in the 1980s. Inside, it’s extremely compact — we’re talking gift shop, visitor centre, and not a great deal else. Don’t go expecting Blenheim Palace.
3. 🦁 Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo has a longer and more serious history than its modest 6.5 acres might suggest. It traces its roots back to 1895, when the New York Zoological Society was founded — an organisation built on the then-rather-radical idea that wildlife was worth saving before it all disappeared. That organisation has since grown into the Wildlife Conservation Society, which today operates zoos and conservation programmes across the globe. Not bad for something that started in New York with a handful of earnest Victorian naturalists and a lot of good intentions.
The zoo itself is compact, cheerfully manageable, and genuinely excellent for children. Squeezed into those 6.5 acres you’ll find around 130 species, including snow leopards, brown bears, red pandas, Californian sea lions and penguins — the latter being, in our experience, the ones the kids make the most fuss about. It’s busy, it’s fun, and it won’t consume an entire day. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
4. 🍓 Strawberry Fields
On 9th October 1985 — what would have been John Lennon’s 45th birthday — his widow Yoko Ono dedicated a tranquil 2½-acre section of Central Park to his memory. It was five years, almost to the day, since Lennon was shot and killed at the south entrance of the Dakota, the grand and rather forbidding apartment building that sits directly across Central Park West from where we were now standing. Ono still lives there, which is either deeply poignant or mildly haunting, depending on your disposition.
The centrepiece of Strawberry Fields is a beautiful circular black-and-white mosaic set into the path, bearing the single word Imagine — a reference, of course, to arguably Lennon’s most loved solo song. It draws people like a magnet. When we visited there was a rotating cast of buskers playing Beatles songs, some of them genuinely excellent. We ended up sitting there for a good hour, which wasn’t the plan at all, but then the best bits of Central Park rarely are.
5. ⛲ Bethesda Fountain & Terrace
The Bethesda Fountain is one of those things you stumble upon in Central Park and find yourself stopping dead in your tracks. It’s genuinely spectacular — measuring twenty-six feet high and ninety-six feet wide, it’s one of the largest fountains in New York, which is saying something in a city not exactly short of grand gestures.
What makes it particularly interesting is that the statue at its centre — a bronze angel standing eight feet tall, hovering above four smaller cherubim representing health, purity, temperance, and peace — was the only sculpture actually commissioned as part of Central Park’s original 1858 design. Everything else came later. The Angel of the Waters, as she’s formally known, was the one piece considered essential from the very beginning, which gives her a certain authority the other park statues simply can’t claim. Well worth a lingering look.
6. 🌿 Conservatory Garden
Tucked away on the north-east edge of Central Park, the Conservatory Garden is the park’s only formal garden, and it’s rather a pleasant surprise if you stumble across it — which, given that most visitors are busy queuing for carriage rides and ice cream, many people never do. It opened in 1937 on the site of the original park conservatories, which had been demolished a few years earlier, and was designed to reflect three distinct gardening traditions: English, French, and Italian. Which is a very New York thing to do, frankly — why commit to one nationality when you can have three?
The Italian section is anchored by the Centre Fountain, a clean, geometric design that does exactly what Italian garden design is supposed to do: impose a sense of order and calm on proceedings. A single column of water rises and falls into a basin, framed by symmetrical plantings, neatly trimmed evergreen hedges and a wisteria pergola. It’s quietly beautiful in a way that doesn’t shout about itself.
7. 🌉 Bow Bridge
Bow Bridge is one of the most photographed and filmed spots in Central Park, and frankly it deserves every bit of the fuss. Stretching sixty feet across the Lake, connecting Cherry Hill to the Ramble, it’s not only one of the most beautiful cast iron bridges in the world — a claim that sounds like the sort of thing someone made up for a leaflet, but is actually true — it also offers some genuinely breathtaking views across the park in every direction. If you’ve seen a romantic film set in New York, there’s a reasonable chance Bow Bridge was in it somewhere.
Completed in 1862, it was built from cast iron rather than the stone used for virtually every other archway and bridge in the park, which gives it a rather elegant, almost delicate appearance that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from Victorian engineering. We thought it was lovely. And we’re not easily impressed.
9. 🎭 Shakespeare in the Park
If you happen to be in New York during the summer, and you have any interest whatsoever in theatre — or indeed just in sitting outside on a warm evening watching something considerably more cultured than whatever’s on the telly — then Shakespeare in the Park is well worth your time. It’s been running for over 45 years now, held at the open-air Delacorte Theater right in the heart of the park, and in that time it’s put on large-scale productions that have drawn some genuinely serious talent. James Earl Jones did Othello there. Meryl Streep turned up for The Taming of the Shrew. Al Pacino played Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. Not exactly am-dram in the village hall. Over five million people have passed through since it began, which tells you everything you need to know about how seriously New Yorkers take their free outdoor Shakespeare.
10. ⛸️ Wollman Rink
If you’re visiting Central Park in winter and fancy doing something that’s both quintessentially New York and genuinely magical, ice skating at Wollman Rink is hard to beat. Built in 1949, it was a hit from the moment it opened — over 300,000 skaters turned up in its first year alone, which suggests New Yorkers didn’t need much persuading. On a winter’s evening, gliding across the ice with the Manhattan skyline rearing up behind you and, if you’re lucky, an actual sky full of actual stars overhead, it’s quite something. Unlike the Rockefeller Center rink, which is perfectly lovely but feels a bit like skating in a very glamorous corridor, Wollman gives you space to breathe and room to look up.
Come spring, the rink transforms itself into Victorian Gardens, a charmingly old-fashioned little amusement park with rides and attractions that manages to feel like a country fête somehow transplanted into the middle of one of the world’s great cities. Thoroughly recommended.
Planning your visit to Central Park
🌳 Central Park
| 📍 Location | Between 59th Street & 110th Street, Central Park West & Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, NY 10024 | 🕖 Opening Times | Daily, 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| 🌐 Website | centralparknyc.org | 📞 Phone | 212-310-6600 |
| 🚇 Subway — South | A, B, C, D, 1 — 59th St–Columbus Circle; or N, R, W — Fifth Ave/59th St | 🚇 Subway — Mid-Park | B, C — 72nd St (west side); 6 — 77th St (east side) |
| 🚇 Subway — North | B, C — 103rd St or 110th St; 2, 3 — 110th St | 🚌 Bus | M1, M2, M3, M4 along Fifth Avenue; M10 along Central Park West; M86-SBS crosstown |
🎟️ Entry Fees — Park
| General Admission | Notes |
|---|---|
| Free | No ticket required; open to all year-round |
🎟️ Entry Fees — Central Park Zoo (southeast corner, 64th St & Fifth Ave)
| Adult (13+) | Senior (65+) | Child (3–12) | Under 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $22.95 | $18.95 | $16.95 | Free |
ℹ️ Zoo tickets include the Main Zoo, Tisch Children’s Zoo, and 4-D Theatre. Timed entry tickets required; bookable online at centralparkzoo.com. Last entry one hour before closing. Zoo open daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (seasonal variations apply).
Zoo admission fees are set by the Wildlife Conservation Society and may be subject to revision; visitors are advised to confirm current charges before their visit.
Visiting New York City
✈️ Getting There
By Air
New York is served by three major airports. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), in the borough of Queens, handles the majority of transatlantic flights and is the largest of the three. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is situated in New Jersey, just across the Hudson, and is a popular and often cheaper alternative. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the closest to Midtown Manhattan but handles primarily domestic routes.
All international visitors will pass through US Customs and Border Protection on arrival, regardless of which airport they land at. Be prepared for queues and have your documentation ready.
Entry Requirements & ESTA
Most visitors from countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Programme — including the UK, most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand — do not need a full visa for stays of up to 90 days, but they do need an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before travelling. The ESTA costs $40.27 and is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner. It must be secured at least 72 hours before departure. Apply only through the official US government website to avoid third-party scam sites that charge inflated fees.
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure from the US. If you have previously visited certain countries — Cuba after January 2021, for example — you may not be eligible for ESTA and will need to apply for a B-2 tourist visa instead.
Getting from the Airport into the City
From JFK, the AirTrain connects to the subway system (the A line or the Jamaica Station hub for the Long Island Rail Road), giving you a relatively affordable route into Manhattan. Uber, Lyft, and licensed yellow taxis are widely available. Yellow taxis charge a flat fare from JFK to Manhattan.
From Newark, an AirTrain connects to Newark Penn Station, where you can board NJ Transit trains into Manhattan’s Penn Station.
From LaGuardia, there is no direct rail link; buses connect to the subway network, and rideshare apps are the most convenient option.
Be cautious of unofficial “taxi” drivers who approach you inside the arrivals hall. Always use the official taxi rank outside or book a rideshare through the app directly.
🚇 Getting Around
The Subway
The subway is the backbone of the city and the fastest, most affordable way to get around. It runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week — one of very few urban rail systems in the world to do so. Lines are identified by letters and numbers, and whilst the map can look daunting at first, the system is logical once you understand that express trains skip stops and local trains stop at every station.
The old MetroCard swipe system has now been phased out. The city has fully transitioned to OMNY (One Metro New York), a contactless tap-and-pay system. Simply tap your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, or smartwatch on the reader at the turnstile. If you prefer, you can also purchase a physical OMNY card from vending machines in any subway station. A single fare costs $3, and there is a weekly fare cap — once you have paid for 12 trips in a seven-day period, additional rides are free for the remainder of that week. Children under 44 inches (roughly 112 cm) tall travel for free.
Note that if you are using an overseas bank card, your bank may occasionally flag the first transaction as suspicious. It is worth taking a short test ride when you first arrive to verify your card works smoothly.
Buses
MTA buses cover areas of the city not well served by the subway and use the same OMNY tap-and-pay system. They are a good option for crosstown journeys in Manhattan, where the subway’s north-south orientation can be less convenient.
Taxis & Rideshares
Yellow taxis are iconic and plentiful in Manhattan. Uber and Lyft are widely used and often convenient, particularly late at night or when travelling with luggage. Avoid pedicabs (cycle rickshaws) unless you agree a fixed price in advance — they are notorious for charging tourists eye-watering amounts.
Walking & Cycling
Manhattan’s grid layout makes it one of the most walkable cities in the world. Many neighbourhoods are best explored on foot. Citi Bike, the city’s dockless bike-share scheme, is popular and relatively affordable, particularly for short hops between neighbourhoods.
Cars
Hiring a car in the city is not recommended. Traffic congestion is severe, parking is expensive and scarce, and the subway and walking will get you where you need to go more quickly and cheaply. Consider a car only if you are planning to venture outside the city limits.
🏙️ Neighbourhoods to Explore
Manhattan offers an enormous variety of experiences within a relatively compact area. Midtown is home to many of the city’s most iconic landmarks — Times Square, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal, and the Museum of Modern Art. It is central, well-connected, and a natural base for first-time visitors.
The High Line, a repurposed elevated railway turned public park, runs through Chelsea on the west side, connecting to Hudson Yards at one end and the Meatpacking District at the other. Chelsea is also a hub for contemporary art galleries.
Greenwich Village and the West Village retain a bohemian character, with tree-lined streets, independent cafés, and a rich literary and artistic history. SoHo is known for its cast-iron architecture and high-end shopping. Tribeca, once an industrial area colonised by artists, is now one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in the city.
Downtown’s Financial District contains Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and the Oculus — the striking transit hub and shopping centre near the World Trade Center site.
Uptown, Central Park divides the Upper West Side from the Upper East Side. The latter is home to Museum Mile, a stretch of Fifth Avenue that includes the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Frick Collection, and several others. Harlem, to the north, has a vibrant cultural identity rooted in African-American history and is well worth a visit.
Brooklyn’s neighbourhoods are increasingly popular with visitors. Williamsburg has a thriving food and nightlife scene. DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) offers spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline. Brooklyn Heights is one of the city’s most elegant residential areas.
Best Time to Visit New York City
🌸 Spring (March – May)
Spring is widely regarded as one of the most delightful times to visit New York City. Temperatures climb gradually from around 7°C in March to a pleasant 20°C by May, and the city shakes off its winter coat with a burst of colour. Central Park’s cherry blossoms typically peak in early April, drawing photographers and picnickers alike, while the High Line transforms into a ribbon of wildflowers and grasses above the streetscape.
Crowds are manageable in March and early April before the Easter holiday surge, making it an ideal window to visit popular museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Modern Art without the queues of summer. Hotel prices sit at a mid-range level — higher than winter, but far below the summer peak.
Rainfall is fairly consistent throughout spring, so a compact umbrella is wise. The weather can be unpredictable: a warm 18°C afternoon can be followed by a sharp drop at dusk, so layering is essential. Outdoor festivals begin to reappear — the Tribeca Film Festival typically runs in late April or May — and restaurant terraces start to fill up, giving the city an energised, sociable atmosphere.
What to pack: Lightweight layers including a cardigan and a light waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella, jeans or chinos, a couple of smart-casual tops for evenings out, and a light scarf for cooler mornings and evenings.
☀️ Summer (June – August)
Summer is New York City’s busiest and hottest season. Temperatures regularly reach 28–33°C, with high humidity making the heat feel more intense, particularly in July and August. The city buzzes with energy: outdoor cinemas, free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theatre, rooftop bars in full swing, and street festivals nearly every weekend. Coney Island and the Rockaway Beach become popular escapes for New Yorkers and tourists alike.
The trade-off is significant congestion. Hotels charge peak rates, queues at major attractions such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building stretch long, and the pavements in Midtown can feel suffocating in the midday heat. Booking well in advance and planning sightseeing for early morning or evening helps considerably.
Despite the crowds, summer has an infectious vitality. The 4th of July fireworks over the East River are spectacular, and the city’s parks host free concerts and events almost continuously. New York Pride in late June brings a celebratory, welcoming atmosphere to the streets.
What to pack: Breathable cotton or linen clothing, shorts and lightweight trousers, a hat and sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, a light cardigan or layer for heavily air-conditioned restaurants and museums, and comfortable sandals alongside a pair of trainers for longer walks.
🍂 Autumn (September – November)
Autumn is arguably the finest season in New York City and is consistently the top pick among seasoned travellers. September brings warm, settled weather — often lingering in the low-to-mid 20s°C — without the oppressive humidity of summer. As October arrives, the temperature cools to a comfortable 14–18°C and the foliage in Central Park, Riverside Park, and Prospect Park turns to spectacular shades of amber, russet, and gold.
The city returns from its summer pace to full cultural gear. Broadway’s new season launches in September, galleries open major autumn exhibitions, and New York Fashion Week draws the industry’s eye in early September. The New York Film Festival runs through October. Restaurant Week (which actually spans several weeks) offers prix-fixe menus at some of the city’s finest establishments.
Halloween on 31st October is taken seriously here: the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade is one of the most theatrical events in the city’s calendar. Thanksgiving weekend in late November is festive and memorable — the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a spectacle — though it does bring a surge of domestic visitors and raised prices.
What to pack: A mid-weight jacket or trench coat, knitwear and jumpers, smart-casual layers, ankle boots or sturdy walking shoes, a light scarf, jeans and trousers, and a compact umbrella for November showers.
❄️ Winter (December – February)
Winter in New York City is cold, but it is also deeply atmospheric. December is one of the most magical months: the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree draws millions, ice-skating rinks open in Central Park and Bryant Park, and the shop windows along Fifth Avenue are dressed in elaborate festive displays. The seasonal markets — particularly those in Union Square and Columbus Circle — add a European flair to the city’s streets.
Temperatures average 0–5°C in January and February, with occasional snowfall that, when fresh, gives the city a cinematic beauty. Wind chill can make it feel considerably colder, especially in open areas such as the Brooklyn Bridge or along the Hudson River waterfront. After the holiday rush, January and February are among the quietest months for tourism, which means shorter queues, lower hotel prices, and a more authentic sense of everyday New York life.
February brings New York Restaurant Week again, and the city’s world-class indoor attractions — the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim, Lincoln Center — are all the more inviting when the cold drives you inside. Valentine’s Day sees the city at its most romantically charged.
What to pack: A warm, wind-resistant coat (ideally down or wool), thermal underlayers, chunky knitwear, a hat, gloves, and a scarf, waterproof boots with grip for potential icy pavements, thick socks, and smart layers for evenings at the theatre or a fine-dining restaurant.
🗽 Overall Best Time to Visit
If there is one season that stands above the rest, it is autumn — specifically late September through to late October. The weather is reliably comfortable, the city is alive with cultural events and culinary offers, and the foliage transforms Central Park into something truly breathtaking. Crowds are thinner than summer, prices are more reasonable than December, and the light — that particular low, golden autumn light — flatters the city’s skyline and brownstone streets in a way no other season can match. For those seeking a balance of comfort, atmosphere, value, and beauty, autumn in New York City is simply unbeatable.
Other things to do whilst in New York City
1. Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the United States, covering around 265 acres in the north of New York City. It opened in 1899 and is run by the Wildlife Conservation Society, which also manages several other zoos and aquariums across the city. The zoo is home to more than 6,000 animals from several hundred species, including big cats, gorillas, snow leopards, and Komodo dragons. Many of the enclosures are designed to reflect the natural habitats of the animals inside, with large open areas rather than small cages. It draws around 2 million visitors each year and is accessible by public transport, including a direct bus route from Manhattan. Entry prices vary depending on the time of year, and some areas within the zoo cost extra on top of the general admission fee. The zoo also carries out conservation work both on site and internationally, focusing on protecting endangered species and their natural environments.
2. New York Botanical Garden
3. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Standing on a small island in New York Harbour, the Statue of Liberty has been one of America’s most recognisable landmarks since it was unveiled in 1886. The statue was a gift from France and depicts a robed female figure holding a torch aloft, symbolising freedom. A short distance away sits Ellis Island, which served as the country’s busiest immigration processing centre from 1892 to 1954. During that period, millions of people arrived there by ship, mainly from Europe, hoping to start new lives in the United States. Officials would check their documents and carry out basic health assessments before allowing them to enter the country. For many, the sight of the statue as their vessel sailed into the harbour was their first glimpse of America. Today, both sites are open to visitors and are managed as part of a national monument, drawing large numbers of tourists each year. Ellis Island also houses a museum dedicated to the history of immigration, where many Americans can trace the arrival of their ancestors.
4. Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art, known as MoMA, is located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and has been open to the public since 1929. It holds one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world, covering painting, sculpture, photography, film, design, and more. Works by artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Frida Kahlo are among those on permanent display. The building has been expanded and renovated several times over the decades, most recently in 2019, giving it a mix of older and newer gallery spaces. Entry is ticketed, though the museum does offer free admission at certain times. It attracts millions of visitors each year and is widely regarded as one of the most significant art museums in existence, though opinions on modern art — and on the museum’s choices — naturally vary from person to person.
5. Central Park
Central Park sits at the heart of Manhattan, covering around 840 acres of landscaped grounds in the middle of one of the world’s busiest cities. It was laid out in the 1850s and 1860s by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and has been a public green space ever since. The park contains open meadows, woodland paths, a boating lake, an ice-skating rink, several playgrounds, and a zoo. On any given day it is used by a wide mix of people — joggers, families, dog walkers, tourists, and office workers on their lunch break. In summer the lawns fill up quickly, and free outdoor concerts and film screenings are common. In winter the bare trees and quieter paths give it a quite different character. It is maintained by a partnership between the city and a private conservancy, and entry is free throughout the year.
Where to stay in New York City
1. Element Times Square
During our visit to New York, we stayed in the Element hotel which is in the Hells Kitchen district. For us, it was perfectly located and was only a 5-minute walk to Times Square. It was also very close to several metro stations and the main bus terminal. We were feeling a bit stingy and cautious due to the Covid-19 pandemic so we decided to walk from Penn Station to the hotel, which only took us 10-minutes, hauling our luggage.
The room was good, we had a little kitchenette and there were pots, pans, plates and silverware, so we were self-contained. We were lucky enough to be on one of the higher floors, so we had a view. It was also possible to see the Empire State building.
Breakfast is included but nothing to write home about, but there are plenty of places to eat in the area so it was not a problem for us.
2. Yotel New York
3. Freehand Hotel
Freehand is located in the former George Washington hotel, known as the home of many artists, and it has maintained its creative spirit. It has a partnership with Bard College and many artists take an active part in designing the hotel and in shaping its cultural life. Freehand features five restaurants and bars, and elegantly designed rooms with private bathrooms. The rooms sleep up to 6 people.
It is located on Lexington Avenue and in walking distance of Union Square, Midtown and Flatiron.
More to Explore
