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There are not enough days in one's life to visit every corner of this oasis located smack in the middle of the concrete jungle. I myself with and without the children, have visited the Shakespeare Garden, the Central Park Zoo, the Carousel, the Mall, the Reservoir, the Great Lawn, Loebs Boathouse, Strawberry Fields, Conservatory Water, and my very favorite (with an album all of its own)....The Central Park Conservatory. Of all the famed gardens in NYC and its outer boroughs, THIS IS THE ONE TO SEE! It is completely free, and walking the grounds you can't help but feel like royalty. It is no where as big as NY Botanical Garden or Brooklyn Botanical Garden, but it is far more exquisite. I went here on Mother's Day with the entire family and we enjoyed every minute. Tip: Go the week Magnolia or Crabapple trees are in blossom. Pay attention to those specific trees in your neighborhood so you have an idea of their bloom period before you go. Also, there is a Maoz felafel stand right outside the garden in actual Central Park, perfect to feast on during a picnic! And go to the park early (before 11am) if you are driving in or if you want to avoid long lines to rent a row boat by Loeb's Boathouse. It costs $15 per hour and $5 per each additional hour per boat (not per person). Make sure you know how to row before you go!

Kill a few birds with one stone: Or kill a billion birds with one stone. There is prime real estate all over Central Park. There is no going wrong with dining, shopping, or just walking around every block and enjoying the architecture! 5th Avenue, Madison Avenue and Park Avenue run parallel along the East Side and Columbus and Amsterdam run parallel along the West Side and showcase some of the most expensive residential building in the world as long as high end shopping. Also, museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the Jewish Museum line up the Museum Mile on 5th Avenue. Central Park South has hotels such as The Plaza and Ritz Carlton. The West Side has the Museum of Natural History, Time Warner Building, Columbus Circle, The Dakota Building, Lincoln Center a block over. The North has Harlem and Columbia's campus. There's no losing anywhere you turn!

For a list of other parks and gardens, click here.

Click on the gallery above (best viewed on a desktop for captions), the videos below to get a better sense of the area, and add your feedback by clicking on the comments section below! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure! And share with your friends if you appreciate this page!