Central Park in Summertime

I love NYC in the winter time as seeing the steam rising from the pavements as the heating rising and matched against the snow falling – as you sit in a Mamma and Papps’s diner in the warm. Summer time in NYC is very different and equally enjoyable, but for different reasons. Hanging out in Central Park in summer time is really quite something.

Looking for Central Park area accommodation for your stay in the Big Apple? If you stay on the South side i.e. around 60th Street or on the East side of the park, there are soem great accommodation options.

Guide to New York Zoo

If you are visiting the city of New York then one of the most iconic attractions is the Central Park Zoo. The zoo has gained this status through a number of appearances in celebrated and popular literature such as J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, in Robert Lawson’s Mr Poppers Penguins and more recently the animated Madagascar films.

Zoo

The zoo is relatively small, covering just 6.5 acres and is actually part of a group of four zoos and the aquarium which are integrated. There has been a zoo in Central Park since the 1860’s when it was opened as a menagerie and became the city’s first official zoo. There were several developments throughout the 20^th century but it was the renovation that took place during the mid-1980’s which totally transformed the zoo from housing animals in cages to fully naturalistic and interactive environments that you see today.

The zoo consists of three primary areas; polar, where there is the polar bear pool and the cooled penguin room. A temperate area and tropical area which has an indoor rainforest with fruit bats, an ant eater exhibit and leaf cutter ant colonies. The zoo is also home to several endangered species including red pandas, tamarin monkeys and thick billed parrots. The zoo also made history in 2009 when it displayed a snow leopard, making it one of the very few places in the world people were able to see this severely endangered animal.

Parks to Visit in New York

When one thinks of visiting New York, most people think of the built up city centre and the attractions held within it. Whilst this is not an entirely inaccurate perception of what the city has to offer, there are certain other aspects of the city which are sometimes neglected. One such aspect is the various parks which offer a stark contrast to the concrete jungle. Below are some great parks to visit in New York City:

Best Parks

Central Park – Probably the most famous park in New York, Central Park in Manhattan is a vast space in the centre of the city. The park has featured in various films and is popular with a wide range of people. At any given time you can find a range of sporting activities taking place, but that doesn’t mean that there is no room to take a peaceful seat and enjoy a picnic.

Greenbelt Park – It is surprising how much nature can be found in such close proximity to one of the most built up cities in the world. GreenBelt Park NYC is an extensive area of land which is perfect for hiking, relaxing or having a picnic. A wide range of different trees and birds call the park home and there is a series of beautiful lakes.

Marine Park – This park in Brooklyn is made up of a number of recreational parks where families and groups of friends find haven in the pleasant green surroundings. The park has a vast natural habitat of small to medium sized animals which live amongst the trees and ponds which are spread throughout.

Summertime in Central Park

Central Park used to have a reputation as a rough and dangerous place years ago, but these days it is a quite amazing place to hang out in the summer time. If you stick with the lower side and keep to daylight hours then you should be able to enjoy the beautiful summer weather in the park.

I used to walk to and from work through Central Park a few years ago and expect in the summer months to see:

• Dozens of roller-bladers learning, getting fit and sometimes themselves travelling this way to work.
• Several people out in boats on the lake.
• People playing instruments and practicing to play in different corners and places.
• A number of people playing sports including a spot of baseball, throwing a footbal around or kicking a soccer ball around.
• Sunbathers using the vast space to enjoy some relaxation.
• Joggers using the very large central lake as a route for running around.
• Tourists visiting well-known parts such as Strawberry Fields.

Central Park is almost like a mini city in its own way. I cannot think of anyway better on a sunny day and it is one of the things I love about living here!!!

Central Park NYC

Shakespeare in Central Park

“Shakespeare in Central Park” is an annual theatre festival that starts in the summer in New York City’s Central Park.
If you love theatre and would like to see a great number of famous actors such as Patrick Stewart, Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, and Kevin Kline, this is the place to be. Some works of William Shakespeare will be performed by the well known actors.

Last year the Shakespeare Festival started with a very famous productions of Hamlet.  In 1954, this theatre festival was originally devised by the producer and founder of the Public Theatre, Joseph Papp.

Shakespeare in Central Park

Most of the time the shows of the Public Theatre are held in the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. The name of the company was “The Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival” but under a new re-organization the Public Theatre came up with the name “NYSF”.

Because the tickets are for free, the popularity of the event is even bigger and it can be harder to get one. Especially the productions with the well known actors and the last weekend are extremely busy. It’s first come, first served. Per year, about 80.000 people are visiting the shows of Public Theatre in New York Central Park.