Walking the perimeter of Central Park has been on my bucket list. Nestled amidst the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets of New York City, Central Park stands as an oasis from the hustle of the streets. I successfully walked the sprawling across 843 acres. I spent 4 days in the city and each day I meandered through the trails. Day 4 was the final part of my journey to walk on the outside all the way around. I enjoyed every step of this park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.
First on my list was a stroll through Strawberry Fields. A landmark to peace and tranquility this area is dedicated to John Lennon. The iconic “Imagine” mosaic, a gift from the city of Naples is a lovely place to sit on the bench and listen to the musicians sharing their dedications to John Lennon. Take a snack and stay for while. 
Another highlight for me was the Belvedere Castle. Did you know that it was originally used as a weather station? In the 1880s, the U.S. Weather Bureau used Belvedere Castle as a meteorological observatory. Instruments were placed atop the castle to measure temperature, wind speed, and other weather-related data. It is worth the wait for the use of the stairs as the view is glorious.
This ride originally known as the “Tilyou’s Steeplechase,” was created in 1871. It opened in Coney Island and later moved to its current location in Central Park in 1951. The carousel features a collection of hand-carved wooden horses, each meticulously crafted and painted with vibrant colors and intricate details.
Do you know the difference between a merry go round and a carousel?
1.) A carousel has only horses, while a merry go round has both horses and other animals, even fictional ones.
2.) Carousels only display white lights while Merry Go Rounds feature colored lights.
3.)The Difference is the Direction they spin. In some countries they turn run clockwise while in the US carousels run counter-clockwise.
Next stop the Central Park Zoo. Founded in 1864 as a menagerie. The intent was to have a modest collection of animals however it quickly grew in popularity and size. Updates include a tropical experience of a lush indoor rainforest and the polar bears. Here are some of my other favorite photos. One could spend a month in the park taking photos of events, people and mother nature.
Central Park’s size is not just a physical attribute but a canvas upon which the city’s energy is painted. It accommodates a myriad of opportunities to exercise, walk pets, relax, play sports and reenergize from the city. The total miles over the 4 days was 52 miles. Worth every sore muscle.
