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10. It’s not the biggest park in New York City

Not even close actually. Central Park comes in at 3.41 km², which seems paltry in comparison to Big Apple heavyweights like Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx (11.19 km²), Greenbelt on Staten Island (7.19 km²), Flushing Meadows/Corona Park (5.07 km²) in Queens and another Bronx green space, Van Cortlandt Park (4.63 km²). Since an inordinate amount of tourists to NYC stick to Manhattan only, it’s no wonder there’s a common misconception out there that it dwarfs all other city parks. To put it all in perspective though, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is way bigger, Balboa Park in San Diego is way bigger, Lincoln Park in Chicago is way bigger and Philadelphia’s behemoth Fairmout Park (really a system of interconnected parks) exceeds it by a mile.

9. Relative to Manhattan, it may actually be the biggest city (borough) park in America

So here’s the rub. Manhattan is a tiny island of only 87.5 km², right? Do the math and Central Park tops out at 6% of Manhattan’s total acreage, which is pretty impressive for a public park. I haven’t crunched the numbers on this – it’s just a theory – but I’d be willing to bet that that figure puts Central Park in rarefied company. 6% is an inordinate amount of space for a park to take up in any city, in America or otherwise. Look at aerial shots of Manhattan and Central Park pops right out. It dominates the borough.

8. Central Park was the first public park built in the country

Being the History Major that I am, I thought it would have been a park in Boston or Philly but, no, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux broke new ground in the U-S-of-A with their epic collabo. The park opened all the way back in 1857.

7. More than 35 million people visit Central Park every year

Gulp. That is a sick stat.

6. The Tavern on the Green is no more

So stop asking or you’ll wind up looking like a witless yokel. The iconic restaurant closed in 2009 and is now a tacky tourist centre and gift shop.

5. Two of the biggest concerts in history took place in Central Park

OK. So you probably have a ragged copy of The Concert in Central Park somewhere and know all about Simon & Garfunkel’s legendary show back on September 19, ’81. More than half a million people came to hear the duo play that day. Sadly, double that number came to hear Garth Brooks a.k.a. Chris Gaines in 1997. Incredible.

4. The park has “Quiet Zones”

Hard to believe in a city like New York but it’s true. Central Park has eight designated relaxation spots, with signs, where musical instruments, in-line skates, skateboards, boom boxes and Ultimate Frisbee are strictly prohibited.

3. No alcohol

It’s true. Sneak a drink in Central Park and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation will nail you with a hefty fine. Booze at your peril.

2. You need a permit to film and take a photograph

Professional film crews I understand, but amateur photographers on vacation? Seems a little excessive, no? Don’t believe me? It’s all here on the Central Park official website: In order to film or photograph in Central Park, you must first request approval from Central Park Operations.

1. Central Park Zoo rules

It’s not the oldest or biggest zoo in America but Central Park Zoo is one of the most inimitable. A compact 2 hectares in size, it houses a more than decent array of wildlife for the middle of Manhattan. Bonus for literary buffs: the zoo was central to The Catcher in the Rye … and Mr. Popper’s Penguins.

Where to stay: Park Central Hotel New York

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