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