Manhattan's beloved backyard, this 843-acre haven of greenery, light and air draws millions each year, residents and visitors alike. Siutated in the island's geographical center, Central Park measures 2.5mi long by half a mile wide, and is delightfully framed by the silhouettes of surrounding buildings. Landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux blended natural and man-made elements to create a park inspired by the Romantic style of the 19C. There's a wonderful zoo here, along with broad esplanades, terraces and plazas, hiking and jogging trails, gardens, lakes and a skating rink.