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There's plenty to love about the magnificently landscaped rectangle of greenery that has graced the middle of Manhattan for more than a century. From 59^th Street north to 110^th Street, Central Park harbors 843 acres of lawns and woodlands, formal gardens, ponds, playgrounds and sports facilities, with some 26,000 trees and more than 50 miles of pathways for walking, jogging, skating and horseback riding. The park is most lively in summer, when numerous free concerts, plays and other events are scheduled, but activities abound throughout the year. Autumn in the park can be particularly lovely, with crisp sunny days and brilliant displays of fall color.

During daylight hours, the park is a terrific place for aimless wandering and people-watching, and in many parts of Manhattan you can easily duck in for a bit of R&R between museum visits, shopping expeditions and other urban pursuits. For a more systematic approach, plan your itinerary using the Central Park Conservancy's website (www.centralparknyc.org), which offers a comprehensive virtual guide to park attractions along with listings of special events. The site includes a map you can print out, or you can purchase the conservancy's more comprehensive Central Park Map & Guide from the Arsenal park administration building at 64^th Street and Fifth Avenue, at the Dairy Visitor Center west of the Wildlife Center at 65^th Street, or at the Belvedere Castle Visitor Center at 79^th Street.

The Central Park Conservancy also operates some interesting guided walking tours focusing on various aspects of the park's history, flora and fauna. The tours are free and no reservations are required. See www.centralparknyc.org for details.