<p>
The park is not really that wide, so you could do it no matter which side of the park the group is meeting on. </p>
<p>Here’s the official link to Central Park-- has an interactive map:
[Central</a> Park Conservancy : The Official Website for Central Park](<a href=“http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageServer]Central”>http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageServer)</p>
<p>I found this map too on that site–it lists the restaurants and rest rooms. Might be useful! (Unlike the virtual map, it can be downloaded.) </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/DocServer/Refreshments_Restrooms.pdf?docID=218[/url]”>http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/DocServer/Refreshments_Restrooms.pdf?docID=218</a></p>
<p>As this shows, you can’t really walk directly across the Park. You have to stick to paths, which are not laid out in neat little grids like Manhattan Streets. Also, during the hours the roadway is open, if you walk along it in the summer, you just about get asphixiated from the fumes.</p>
<p>You absolutely can walk across the park. It’s quite fine to walk on the grass! Usually there are no fences keeping you on the paths, but sometimes there are. The roadways are not a problem; no fumes. The big roads crossing the park are not evident. Here’s another article: [New</a> Limits on Central Park Car Traffic - City Room - Metro - New York Times Blog](<a href=“http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/new-restrictions-on-central-park-car-traffic/]New”>New Limits on Central Park Car Traffic - The New York Times)</p>
<p>It’s about the fact that traffic is limited to nothing during the day in the park! Very people friendly. The traffic through the park is, as I said, not a problem at all. Let us all know what you have done, JAM, and have a great time!</p>
<p>If you’re passing through Grand Central Station, check out the restored ceiling (a little black patch remains to show how filthy dirty it was), then go downstairs and try the whispering corner outside of the Oyster Bar: one person goes to each side of the diagonal, then whisper. The person opposite should hear you loud and clear. There’s decent food as well–Junior’s cheesecake, Donut Plant donuts at the roundish kiosk towards the center. Upstairs, the gift shop for the NYC transport museum has cool stuff, including my beloved umbrella with that same glorious cosmic ceiling painting on the inside. </p>
<p>Another vote for Zabar’s. Now I want some chocolate rugalach.</p>
<p>FYI … still not sure on your particular geography … Metro North starts in New Haven … and is much less expensive than Amtrak. I s’pose if you are starting in like Enfield … then Amtrak is more convenient. I might just check to see if changing trains when you hit New Haven will be a substantially better price. There are also lots more trains on Metro North than on Amtrak.</p>
<p>A carriage ride through Central Park is … like $40 plus tip and is fun. The American Girl Doll Store is on the way from Grand Central to Central Park … on 5th Avenue. FAO Schwartz is on 5th Avenue very close to Central Park.</p>
<p>Or chocolate babka! Or cinnamon babka! (at Zabar’s) Forgot about Junior’s. It is like a NYC burger joint/deli/diner, and I think there is one a half block off Broadway in 44th/46th or so area. A friends D who goes to Yale eats there whenever she goes in town for a musical. Much better than McDonald’s if you just want a burger. (altho’ 5 guys is good too - the fries are done in peanut oil, so they’re vegetarian)</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for all the suggestions, that is just what I am looking for! So far, I know one thing - as soon as she meets up with the group, I am going to Zabars!! Can’t wait!</p>
<p>The kids are supposed to meet at the 81st St WEST entrance. So, now I assume I can take the 1 up from Penn? Or maybe we will just walk. Any suggestions for a good breakfast? Great Bagels?</p>
<p>Huskem, yes - McDonalds! And another time it was Burger King! Isn’t that depressing? We start off with all the greatest of intentions, and nobody wants to be the one that picks the “bad” restaraunt…so we end up hemming and hawing until we’re so starving that we just want SOMETHING. That’s why I’m counting on all of you!! I’d love to find a great slice of pizza, or a burger or something. 5 Guys sounds intriguing. Nothing too out of the ordinary!</p>
<p>CNP55 - we are actually as far north in CT as you can get. Actually our town is on the Mass border. So it’s a good hour plus drive to New Haven (or Waterbury), plus parking there is no fun. It’s a 15 minute trip to Windsor Locks with free parking. So, in the end, the extra price of Amtrak nets out.</p>
<p>Fairway cafe is my favorite place for lunch on the upper west side. Its just south of Zabars, on broadway around 76th. Its inside of the grocery store, up the stairs. It’s very Upper west side and you will see a lot of new yorkers there for lunch. There is also an H&H bagels around there, which are the best bagels in the world.</p>
<p>H & H Bagels have delicious bagels – 80th and Broadway -
but no place to sit down. Zabars is right around there too.</p>
<p>Great walking streets are Broadway, Amsterdam and Columbus between 72nd and high 80’s or so. I did this the other day. Fun stores and some soup, ice cream, gelato places. Great restaurants too. Down Broadway in the other direction you will hit Lincoln Center at 65th Street; there’s a great Barnes and Noble store there. There’s a large cinema with 8 movies or so at Broadway and 68th; at Broadway and 62nd there’s an independent theatre with 4-5 movies playing (cash only). Down
Columbus you will hit Columbus Circle and the Time Warner Center (lots of upscale stores).</p>
<p>Central Park is lots of fun for walking. Get a map and walk north-south and east-west. You will never really be lost if you can see some of the skyscrapers. Have fun.</p>
<p>Go to the Public Library behind Bryant Park - the one with the big lions. They had a great exhibit of NY photos in there… [New</a> York Public Library (NYPL) Humanities and Social Sciences Library Review | New York City | Fodor’s Travel Guides](<a href=“http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/new-york/new-york-city/review-56721.html]New”>New York Public Library Main Branch Review - New York City New York - Sights | Fodor’s Travel). Right across from Bryant Park is the take-out restaurant “Prete-a-manger”. I had the BEST salad w/ fresh toasted walnuts, various greens, blue cheese, grilled chicken (not the rubbery stuff, good chicken), tomatoes, etc. It was excellent and $7.50. My husband had miso soup and other yummy things. Everything is made THAT DAY, with great ingredients, and there are some incredible desserts. It is Zagat rated. I relied on College Confidential people to help steer us on our trip, so I’m hoping I can pass this tip on.</p>
<p>H&H is across the street from Zabar’s. You can go to the Zabar’s cafe (separate entrance from the store) and have lox and cream cheese on an H&H bagel, AND get to sit down. Such a deal!</p>
<p>Go to the Union Square Farmer’s Market. Union Square in general is a very local place to hang out. There’s good, reliable mass shopping. Then walk to 18th, and walk over to 5th and 6th Ave. There’s a place called Books of Wonder that is combined with Cupcake Cafe, and they have THE BEST cupcakes in the city. Seriously, now that I’m thinking about them I may have to make a trip there myself.</p>
<p>I have to admit I just like walking around NY. I was in the city last week for a continuing ed class at Cooper Union and got a kick out of the Astor Place neighborhood. Noodle restaurants, falafal places, the aforementioned pinkberries, places to get goth clothing and tatoos and a used CD/DVD store. A mini college town!</p>
<p>Be prepared for the crowds. One of my dear friends came back to New York for the first time in a few years. We had lunch across from Saks on the block of the American Girl place. The sidewalks were masses of humanity. It’s like that now with the dollar being weak, so I suggest going a bit off the beaten path.</p>
<p>I’ve seriously been recommending this to anyone going into the city. Near the MoMA, there are a bunch of food vendors. I don’t know what kind of food it is, but there are usually quite a few people lined up. I always get something called the rice platter with rice, chicken, lettuce & tomato, and this delicious pita bread thing. Sounds simple, but it’s d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s. The rice platter is cheap and very filling. </p>
<p>If you fancy tea and scones, there’s a delightful cafe called Alice’s Tea Cup on 73rd and Columbus. Someone mentioned that Columbus Ave would be fun for a walk. I agree. I’ve never gone that way, but when I take the bus into NYC, it always goes down Columbus for a bit, and I’ve seen many wonderful boutiques. Lincoln Center is on 65th St and Columbus. There’s a very posh mall nearby.</p>
<p>I also second the suggestion for the Librairie de France. The downstairs is a book haven.</p>
<p>Mathmom - I love the Astor Place neighborhood too. My kids and I often take trips into the city and stop by the farmer’s market at Union Sq Park, and then walk over to St. Mark’s Pl, over to Astor Pl - it’s a lot of fun for them. D especially loves shopping in that part of town (not necessarily buying things, but just looking satisfies her).</p>
<p>I was in the Astor place neighborhood last week. I couldn’t believe there was a WAL-MART on 8th Street. Yikes!!
If you’re down that way, go to Famous Ray’s for a slice. And I do mean THE famous Ray’ on 6th and~13th or so - not the host of imitators around the city. Not particularly my favorite slice but very popular - just let it cool down a lot; you can burn the roof of your mouth off!</p>
<p>Thanks everyohe!</p>
<p>Here’s a really dumb question. How long would it take to get down (on the subway) to the Astor Place/Union Square area? Which train would it be, from Penn, OR alternatively, from the West 81st street area? Just trying to figure out if there’s really time to go down that way and not feel rushed…or wait for another trip…</p>
<p>I think DD would enjoy Pinkberry’s, and maybe Dylans (even if it’s just for the clothing!). And since she’s a bagel freak H&H would be a great idea for getting her some food to bring to the picnic. I’ll send her this thread so she can see if anything catches her eye.</p>
<p>Sounds like I have to stop eating until Monday - Lots of things I want to try!</p>
<p>Astor Place is on the #6 train, which is a Lexington Ave (East Side) local. So, you would have to make a couple of transfers. You can do it, though. Union Square is also at that stop, but you can also get to Union Square on other trains, including West Side trains, which are closer to where you would be. Here is a link to the NYC Subway Map!</p>
<p>[MTA</a> NYC Transit - Subway Service Information](<a href=“http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm]MTA”>http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm)</p>
<p>It looks pretty confusing, but it’s manageable. Also, New Yorkers are very friendly and happy to help. You just have to ask. Really. 
I promise! Just look at all the help you have gotten from us so far! Have fun. Oh, and it’s supposed to be really hot on Monday, with a chance of storms, like I said. No problem, though.</p>
<p>We love the sidewalk cafe tables at Sarabeth’s on Central Park South for breakfast. Great people watching location right across from where the hansome cabs line up. Try the four flowers juice, yum.</p>