In a city that boasts miles and miles of concrete, New York's city fathers tried to provide ample green space for its residents. For visitors, these parks provide an opportunity to relax and escape the city's frenetic pace while people-watching or enjoying free concerts and other outdoor activities. Central Park, which runs from 59th Street to 110th Street, is world famous. Popular daytime options include rowboats on the lake, carriage rides and the Children's Zoo. Only the most courageous tourists and locals take their chances in Central Park after dark, even though it is open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. One of New York's best-kept secret is probably Washington Square Park in the Greenwich Village. Drop by this park to catch free theater performances and music festivals.
A visit to New York is not complete without a trip to the sight that many Americans first saw when they arrived as immigrants, the Statue of Liberty. She sits in New York Harbor above the Ellis Island museum. Relive the experience of more than 100 million refugees who first tasted freedom from hunger, persecution or poverty between the 19th and 20th centuries. The statue reopened in the summer of 2009 for visitors after a brief closure. Admission is free, but you must buy tickets for the Staten Island ferry at the Battery Park train station. The brief ferry ride transports you to a special place in our country's history. The reception center is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas Day.
NBC's "Today Show" has made Rockefeller Center more famous than ever before. Get there early in the morning to watch the broadcast and wait for the anchors to come outside to greet their fans. Rockefeller Center is also home to Radio City Music Hall and it boasts an observation deck where visitors can experience panoramic views of New York City from 70 stories above the street. In winter, the family can enjoy ice-skating at the outdoor rink that has had a starring role in hundreds of movies.
Battery Park is home to the World Trade Center Memorial until construction is complete at the original site of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that leveled the Twin Towers. A badly dented sculpture from the original site, ironically a symbol for world peace, now forms the centerpiece for the temporary memorial site. Thousands visit the memorial daily to commemorate the sacrifice of those who perished during the attacks and the subsequent rescue efforts.
