Central Park is a vast, varied, beautifully landscaped park carved out of the heart of the urban metropolis. With 25 million visitors per year, it's no stranger to crowds and activity. But it's more than large enough to absorb the crowds without losing any bit of its idyllic charm. It's easily one of New York's top and most-cherished assets, as is evident from the moment you step into it.

While it obviously gets cold for long strolls, Central Park is especially alive (and beautiful) during the Christmas / New Year's period. If you're lucky it'll be coated in a beautiful layer of snow. Wollman Rink will also be extremely popular with skaters.

Note that most of the activity is in the south side of the park. The farther you go from Midtown the quieter it gets (especially in winter).

Bethesda Fountain is the centerpiece of one of the park's most beautiful landscaped terraces. Sitting in the center of a large plaza that borders a meandering lake, the fountain is crowned with an 8-foot high sculpture of a winged angel touching down upon its top. This is the scene of many famous pictures and movies.

Turning away from the lake, walk up the elegantly carved out staircase to reach The Mall, a grand formal promenade lined with quadruple rows of American elm trees on both sides.

Belvedere Castle sits high atop a rocky bluff overlooking Central Park's Turtle Pond (which really has turtles) and Great Lawn. It was built not as a functioning castle, but as a decorative contribution to the landscape. It also plays the role of one of New York's main weather stations, where "official" temperatures are regularly recorded.

Visitors are free to climb to the uppermost turrets and take in great views offered by this unique vantage point.

New York's second most famous skating rink (behind Rockefeller Center's) is far larger and more scenic than its more famous sibling. While it definitely gets crowded here, there's nothing like skating in the midst of the park's lush open space with New York's signature skyline towering above.