CENTRAL PARK NY

This is the second review, as promised, from my older daughter. Enjoy!

Our other most recent excursion is none other than the good old Central Park. 
Amazing how things sitting right under our noses hold all the excitement we need! I think one of the best things about Central Park is that no matter how many times you go there, there is always something new to discover!
We usually start at the South Eastern corner of the park where we get off the R train that takes us there from Forest Hills in under 30 minutes. We walk in and start heading north checking out various birds who inhabit the little water reservoir on our left. Speaking of birds, the last time we went there we ran into none other than Big Bird himself. Made my daughter very excited! Of course, my oldest immediately informed her that it was none other than a person in a Big Bird costume and proceeded to point to the barely visible seam separating the head of the costume from the body. However, Lucy chose not to be disillusioned and went on to pose for many pictures with her oversized feathered friend. Point of the story: you never know what and who you are going to meet in Central Park so keep your camera ready. 
Other exciting things encountered on the top of the northern trail are the Wollman skating ring and a few smallish, but exciting, climbing mountains suitable for kids of all ages. Continuing north, we find ourselves in the CP's Zoo. We have never been inside (not a big fan of zoos in general) but I do hear it is rather exciting! On the way out of the zoo grounds is the famous Delacorte clock that chimes every half hour with seasonal music and various bronze animals twirling around the clock to the delight of the children and gawking out-of-towners.
A little bit to your left, directly in front of the Wollman's Rink there is the Checkers and Chess House/Visitors center: a lovely little gazebo with stone chess tables that can be used for their intent purposes (chess or checker sets available in the information center for $2) or to serve as picnic tables for small groups of Eastern European devotees of al fresco dining.
From there, we usually proceed to The Mall and Literary walk, with sculptures of all kinds of famous folks, from Christopher Columbus to Robert Burns. Further north - one of my most cherished places in CP: Conservatory Waters. Here, you can watch the ducks and all the Captain Grants wannabes who speed their rented mini-boats all over the little water reservoir! Although I am pretty sure this only happens in the warmer months of the year!
We usually end our trip around the Bethesda Fountain - a very peaceful spot surrounded by waters, Terrace Arcade with beautiful tile directly behind the fountain, and large, pretty clean bathroom further up the staircase. 

Here is my favorite map of Central Park!

Happy trails and remember The Park is worth a visit at any season!

Anya