Tour of duty

New York

Photo: Alex Birdsall

New York: Central Park
While you could spend several days aimlessly wandering the 843 acres of Manhattan’s Central Park, the Central Park Conservancy leads nine walks of varying distance and difficulty year-round (except during inclement weather). Views from the Past, for instance, illuminates landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted’s struggle to realize his vision. For those who prefer the self-guided route, CentralPark.com offers two free podcasts plus accompanying maps in PDF format. The all-ages family tour includes a stop at the children’s zoo, while the lengthier arts-and-architecture focused walk stops at Strawberry Fields, Bow Bridge and the ancient Egyptian obelisk known as Cleopatra’s Needle.

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