Central Park

New York's "Great green lung," 843 acres of green space with woods, gardens, playing fields and a zoo. Great for jogging, strolling, rollerblading and generally chilling out from the hustle and bustle.

The backdrop to myriad films and TV series, the New York landscape can seem so familiar and, certainly, Central Park's green expanse forms a large part of that history. The Bethesda Fountain, within the first third of the park entering from the south, is one of the most famous fountains in the world and who doesn't remember a well-loved character from Friends or Sex and the City jogging around the park at some point?

This aptly (if not inventively) named park is indeed central to New York and its districts. There are plenty of tranquil green pockets all over Manhattan, but Central Park reigns supreme and is satisfyingly large, interspersed with water, an outdoor theatre, tennis courts and even a zoo. All the activities associated with parks, and then some, can be accessed here: rowboat and bike rentals, gondola and horse-drawn carriage rides, ice-skating, chess, jogging (it's one direction only around the reservoir), bird-watching and of course merely strolling or sitting.

A variety of interesting structures puncture the greenery including Belvedere Castle, a whimsical Victorian folly intended as a lookout to the reservoir to the north - which has since become the Great Lawn - and the Ramble to the south. Belvedere has been somewhat modernised by the installation of meteorological equipment by the National Weather Service, recording the temperature for radio and television broadcasts. Indeed, the mini castle provides the highest views from within the park, and incidentally translates as 'beautiful view' in Italian.

Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the architects originally commissioned to create the park out of swampland, were inspired by classic English landscape gardening. This Englishness permeates the park and has continued throughout the years through the additions of other contributors. This includes the Shakespeare Garden, four acres planted with flowers featured in the playwright's works and bronze plaques inscribed with quotations. Furthermore, the Delacorte Theatre is venue to free performances of the Bard's plays during the summer. Then there's the Alice in Wonderland bronze sculpture, standing 11 feet tall, which was purposely built for children to climb upon and explore.

More kiddie (and adult) entertainment can be had at Central Park Zoo and the Tisch Children's Zoo within it (situated at 64th Street and 5th Avenue). Central Park Zoo is spread over five acres and home to over 130 species ranging from tiny but deadly poison frogs and giant polar bears.

On a more sobering note, on the western edge, near 72nd Street, is a peaceful tribute to John Lennon who was shot and killed outside the nearby Dakota Building. The area is known as Strawberry Fields and contains a mosaic with the word 'Imagine' across the centre.

If it rains visitors can duck into the Loeb Boathouse for a bite to eat, and if the sun comes out hire a boat or take a ride on a gondola. If activities on solid ground are preferred there are a number of playing fields weaved into the tapestry of Central Park. The grounds have also been host to rather impractical 'Quidditch' tournaments, a hitherto fictional sport made famous by J.K Rowling's Harry Potter tales.

For a complete list of things to do and see in this gorgeous city refuge visit: http://www.centralparknyc.org/