| In the center of New York City's exciting buzz, Central | | | | annual festival draws thousands to the open-air |
| Park is a quiet island, comprised of an area of natural | | | | theater in the heart of the park. One of the park's |
| woods, ponds, lakes, wildlife, and stretching 843 acres | | | | most popular attractions, the Carousel has been a |
| through Manhattan. The park's many appearances in | | | | fixture since 1871. The current carousel was |
| movies and television have made it among the most | | | | discovered abandoned in an old trolley terminal on |
| visited and famous city parks in the world. Whether | | | | Coney Island. One of the country's largest |
| seeking a quiet spot to reflect or participate in one of | | | | merry-go-rounds, it features 58 hand-carved horses |
| the park's many activities, student group travelers will | | | | and two ornate chariots. Almost 250,000 visitors ride it |
| want to tour Central Park on their next visit to New | | | | annually. The park's rich historical connections can be |
| York City. Though much of the park looks natural, it | | | | discovered around nearly every corner. On the east |
| has in fact been almost entirely landscaped, making it | | | | side of the park is The Obelisk, or Cleopatra's Needle, |
| the first landscaped public park in the United States. Its | | | | the oldest public monument in North America. At the |
| construction was begun in 1857 by landscape designer | | | | northern end of the park is the Blockhouse, a fort from |
| Frederick Law Olmsted and architect Calvert Vaux. | | | | the War of 1812. In addition, the Great Lawn has been |
| The park has been a National Historic Landmark since | | | | the site of famous events and performers. Pope John |
| 1963. In addition to its woodsy environment, Central | | | | Paul II held mass on the lawn in 1995 and musical |
| Park features a zoo, Conservatory Garden, a wildlife | | | | artists like Paul Simon, Elton John, and Bruce |
| sanctuary, outdoor amphitheater, and extensive | | | | Springsteen have performed for thousands of admiring |
| walking tracks. The park is also an oasis for migrating | | | | fans. Dedicated in the memory of the famous Beatle, |
| birds, making it popular with bird watchers. At the | | | | John Lennon, Strawberry Fields was created after he |
| Central Park Zoo, just a few yards from 5th Avenue, | | | | was fatally shot in 1980. The tear-shaped knoll, located |
| 130 different species of animals are housed. A walk | | | | on the west side of the park, was named after one of |
| through the zoo's five-plus acres takes students | | | | the Beatles' best-known songs, Strawberry Fields |
| through a variety of habitats that have been designed | | | | Forever. The memorial was opened in 1985 on |
| to recreate the natural environment of the animals. In | | | | Lennon's birthday. At the western apex of the garden, |
| the Polar Zone, students can visit with two of the | | | | artisans have crafted a circular black and white |
| zoo's most popular guests - polar bears Ida and Gus. | | | | mosaic emblem into the pavement, containing a |
| A brilliant collection of tropical birds can be found in the | | | | starburst pattern and the word, "Imagine," the title of |
| Tropic Zone, as well as squirmy lizards and toads. | | | | one of Lennon's most famous songs. The garden |
| Monkeys and Tamarins represent the primates of the | | | | continues to be a pilgrimage site for students visiting |
| tropics. California sea lions, pandas, otters, and swan | | | | New York City. Travel Adventures is a student tour |
| geese are housed in the Temperate Territory. A | | | | provider staffed by educators who understand the |
| secluded oasis, the Conservatory Garden offers a | | | | needs of teachers. It has served over one half million |
| fragrant respite from the hectic city. Students will find a | | | | students since 1987 and its mission is to "empower |
| myriad of plant life, from cultivated heirloom roses to | | | | teachers to create change by expanding the |
| Korean holly. The garden is divided into three sections: | | | | classroom to the world." To discover more about |
| the North, or French Garden; the Central, or Italian | | | | Travel Adventures and its many educational programs, |
| Garden; and the South, or English Garden. The | | | | visit adventures Travel Adventures is a student tour |
| summer home of the annual Shakespeare in the Park | | | | provider staffed by educators who understand the |
| production is held at Delacorte Theater. During | | | | needs of teachers. It has served over one half million |
| performances, audiences are treated to views of the | | | | students since 1987 and its mission is to "empower |
| lovely landscape that forms the backdrop to the stage, | | | | teachers to create change by expanding the |
| including Turtle Pond and the Belvedere Castle. The | | | | classroom to the world. |