Skyscrapers go hand in hand with Manhattan, but so does that large green rectangle in the heart of the city, Central Park. It’s played a role in so many movies, books, and other cultural media, and it remains a large part of the city’s character, both physically and mentally. One could say that no trip to New York City is complete without a visit to the park, and it is certainly worth taking the time to see, whether you are visiting for the first time or have been a life-long resident.

We have been to the park on a number of occasions and have explored the space in a couple different ways. It is important to note, though, that the park is large, and there are many areas to explore. Some of New York’s most famous attractions, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Central Park Zoo are set along the park’s borders, so they make excellent gateways into the park. It is also easy to wander into the park from Midtown, where the tall buildings of steel, concrete, and glass contrast with the open space, green, and trees of the park. Once inside the park, it’s just as interesting to stand among the trees and creeks as you gaze up at the Midtown skyline. We have walked through parts of the southern area of the park several times, wandering along the paths and finding ourselves near the ice skating rink, a lovely bridge that crosses a creek filled with ducks, or passing by a pond with little sailboats in it. While there are plenty of walking trails, there are also designated areas where people can run or cycle.

Riding a bicycle through the park is a fun and easy way to see more of the park. Bike rentals are available near the park or at Citi Bike stations around the city. You can pedal as fast or as slow as you like, traveling the large loop inside the park, which takes you past fields and ponds, up the more hilly areas in the north, and back to your starting point. It’s also easy to stop and enjoy the sights while relaxing on a bench or in the grass.

Central Park can get a bit crowded (or a lot crowded!), particularly on nice days, but it also offers scenery that’s hard to come by in the city. Exploring the park can be a great way to enjoy a sunny–or even cloudy, rainy, or snowy–New York day.