Central Park......
 

Assuming the weather cooperates, a group of us with pre-teen girls.... would like to visit Central Park [NYC] for a couple of hours on 3/20. Unforturnately, it has beens years since I've been and need a some suggestions on what to see/do that while there. also, where to park, and enter. Where is Strawberry fields? are there food vendors available. what about the zoo? Is there a specific website for this magnificent tract of land? Thanks!

You will lots of great ideas here I am sure! In the meantime, check out http://www.centralpark.org

The zoo is on the east side of the park at 64th street, enter at 64th and Fifth Ave. Admission gets you into the zoo and the children's zoo, which is a bit north of the regular zoo. You can rent a row boat on the pond, enter park on 72nd street and Fifth Ave and follow road to Boathouse Cafe, also a nice place for lunch/brunch. Strawberry Fields is on the west side of park, but is pretty much just an open field, not really much to see. You also might want to check out the model sailboat pond, also on the east side, closer to the Museum.

Don't miss Belvedere Castle at the south end of the Great Lawn. It features a nature exhibit that your youngsters will enjoy not to mention incredible views.

Start at the Reservoir just north of the Great Lawn (E. 91st Street), then walk south to the Great Lawn/Belvedere Castle, then walk through the Ramble to the Bow Bridge and Loeb Boathouse for lunch. Perfect!

There are plenty of garages near the Park and you shouldn't have trouble getting space in one on a Saturday. Street parking for any length of time is almost impossible (much of the parking around the park is metered with a 1-hour limit).