Central Park is probably the largest attraction you’ll find recommended on places to visit in New York City. Spanning 843 acres, stretching from 59th street up to 110th street and from Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue. The massive park has been a landmark and popular destination for city dwellers and tourists since its inception in 1857. The Central Park Conservancy maintains the Park, much of which is protected nature. When you visit, you can relax in the fields, stroll through the Conservatory Garden, visit Strawberry Fields and pay homage to John Lenon, or climb on the giant Alice in Wonderland statue. You can rent a paddle boat for $12 and take it around the lake for an hour, or get a ride in a Venetian gondola for $30. There’s a large zoo, pony rides, and many winding walking trains to explore. You can spend days getting lost in Central Park, and during the summer there are free concerts and events in the park hosted by Summer Stage.