What to see in United States

Central Park

Stretching from 59th to 110th Street, Central Park is Manhattan’s back garden. Its lawns, lakes and paths have appeared in countless films and TV series, making it one of the most recognisable parks in the world. But first and foremost, it’s where New Yorkers come to jog, to picnic, to row or to simply slow down.

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the 1850s, Central Park was carefully constructed to feel natural. Wander the elm-lined Mall to Bethesda Terrace and its fountain, or cross the cast-iron Bow Bridge for one of the city’s classic views, and you’ll understand. On sunny days, Sheep Meadow fills with sunbathers and the Lake with rowing boats, and on the park’s eastern edge, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is an easy addition to a morning stroll. In the city that never sleeps, Central Park is a place to rest.

At 843 acres, Central Park is larger than Monaco, so it’s worth choosing a few highlights rather than trying to see it all. Enter at Columbus Circle or Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, grab a coffee and let the park lead the way.