Taking off Travel blog

I’m sure I’m not alone in naming Central Park as one of my favorite places in New York. Every time I go there I’m struck anew by the foresight of those who decided that New Yorkers needed a place to escape  the hustle and bustle of the city. They couldn’t have foreseen what a visitor magnet the 843-acre park would also become.

I’ve been to Central Park many times, sometimes as a destination in its own right; at others en route to somewhere else. Each time I enjoy the sense of peace and of getting away from it all. But that’s not all there is to the park – there’s also plenty of entertainment. On my first ever trip there from England, one cold February, I watched as roller skaters made the park their own, seemingly unaffected by the near freezing temperatures. On another, I walked by the water and enjoyed the view. On yet another, I saw break dancers, jugglers and other entertainers giving impromptu performances And on one memorable trip, I saw art hanging from the lamp posts – it was quite spectacular.

On this last trip, I was introducing my daughter to Central Park. (She’d been before, but as a baby, so she didn’t remember it.)  Her dad is a Beatles fanatic, so we went to Strawberry Fields, stood on the Imagine circle and sat for a moment and contemplated. (This was after we’d seen the Dakota building on the way in.) Then we took a stroll through the park and checked out the birds and turtles, before taking up another bench and enjoying the sunshine. We walked past a summer camp enjoying outdoor activities and saw lots of runners, skaters and cyclists. It was a fun, if low-key morning in a beautiful urban oasis.

Have you been to Central Park? What are your favorite Central Park experiences?

By the way, that was the last in a series of posts from my recent New York, New Jersey and Florida trip. Here are the others, in case you missed them:

• US Travel Experiences 2011
• Flying JetBlue – First Impressions
• Cab Drivers and Travel Food – More Travel Rants
• Ovi Maps in Action
• Are You Good Tugo?
• Inside Newark Airport (EWR)
• US Travel – 3 Things That Rock for Visitors
• American Museum of Natural History – New York Attractions
• Taking a Drive on the Wild Side

Image: Turtles in Central Park/courtesy Sharon Hurley Hall

It’s summer vacation time for millions of people – and one of those people is me!  I’ll soon be on my travels. Now, I wouldn’t want you to have to do without your daily fix of PRF goodness, so I’ve lined up some great guest posts for the time that I’m away.  Here are just a few of the awesome posts that are coming your way:

• Improving the Ergonomics of Your Seat
• Best Cars for Road Trips
• Unmissable Historical Sites
• A polemic on travel insurance (more interesting than it sounds)
• and much more.

I’ll be checking in from time to time to see what’s happening here and on Twitter and Facebook, of course, and I’ll be back with you full time in early August, when you can look forward to updates on the places I’ve visited. I’m going to be checking out some new Florida attractions and seeing a few sights in New York and New Jersey.  See you soon!

There is definitely a wealth of attractions to visit when you are in New York; so many in fact that you might have a difficult time in deciding exactly which sights you should see during your visit. While it can be a challenge to choose from the many exciting sights and attractions, the following destinations should be at the top of your ‘must see’ list.

Empire State Building

There is simply no other location in New York where you can get a better view of the Big Apple. Located on 34th Street and 5th Avenue, the Empire State Building can be seen from a variety of points in the city. While at one time you could only travel up to the Observatory located on the 86th floor, you can now journey all the way up to the 102nd floor Observatory; providing an even greater view. Tickets can be purchased online as well as at the kiosk located on the 86th floor and the regular ticket booth at the Empire State Building.

Statue of Liberty

Presented to the United States as a gift from the people of France, the Statue of Liberty remains as a symbol of the friendship between the two countries as well as freedom and democracy. The trek to the crown is an astounding 354 steps, but it is definitely well worth it. The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island. To get there you will need to take the ferry either from Battery Park City or from New Jersey.

Central Park

Spanning some 843 acres, Central Park is comprised of paths, open spaces and lakes. Beyond simply wandering around the park and viewing its impressive size and beauty, there are also many things to, including taking a guided tour. Other popular activities in the Park include riding the Carousel, taking a walking tour, enjoying a picnic on the Great Lawn or in Sheep Meadow, renting a boat from Loeb Boathouse and rowing around the lake or taking in one of the many musical events and concerts frequently hosted in the Park. Central Park can be accessed by foot or by the subway. The park is bounded by 59th Street, 110th Street, 5th Avenue and Central Park West on the West.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ranked as one of the most popular attractions in New York, the Met features an extensive collection as well as special exhibits. There is truly something for everyone here, including a collection of Rembrandt paintings, Tiffany stained glass and ancient Egyptian artifacts. The museum is located at 1000 Fifth Avenue and can be reached by taking the 4, 5 or 6 trains to 86th Street and then walking west to the museum’s location at 5th and 82^nd.

Broadway

No visit to New York would be complete without taking in a show on Broadway. No matter what your taste might happen to be, you will be certain to find a production that appeals to you. There are currently more than 40 different theatres on Broadway. The theatres are located in the Theatre District in midtown, which can be reached by taking one of several subway lines.

Ryan Clark is a travel blogger and online copywriter. He prides himself in his ability to find the best hotel deals online. His best travel tip for his readers is to check on the quality of your accommodation through sites like Tripadvisor before you book. Cheap doesn’t always mean good! (Photo: AJP79)

When it comes to flying into and out of New York, JFK Airport is not the only game in town. If you’re on a domestic flight or are planning a trip to Aruba or the Bahamas (wouldn’t that be nice), then you’re likely to use LaGuardia Airport. The smallest of the New York Metropolitan area’s three airports, La Guardia has been run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey since 1947. Its relatively central location means that there are lots of opportunities to enjoy a layover in LaGuardia. Make sure you sort out offsite airport parking so you don’t have the hassle of looking for a parking space in Manhattan. Read more »