Our walking group plans to visit Central Park on a Sunday in May. Starting at the south end, can anyone suggest "must sees" along the way.

Also any ideas of a neighborhood/brew pub type restaurant in the area? Doesn't have to be in the park.

First, a restaurant suggestion, albeit kinda morbid. Robert Chambers, the infamous "Preppy Murderer," picked up his quarry at Dorrian's, a bar/restaurant located on the southeast corner of Second Avenue/84th Street. Chambers and his victim walked from Dorrian's to Central Park, where he murdered her. Dorrian's offers traditinal "pub grub" and the decor is classic NYC tavern.

Regarding your walk, there are at least a couple of books available that outline numerous Central Park itineraries, depending on time/distance desires. Must-sees might include (from south to north)

the ice skating rink
zoo
mall
Bethesda terrace & fountain
Strawberry Fields
boathouse & Bow Bridge
Ramble
Belvedere Castle/Turtle Pond/Great Lawn
Reservoir

It would be a LONG walk to see all of those great sites, especially Strawberry Fields, which is on the west side of the park and not "in line" with the others. Good luck!

OMG Ted, talk about ancient history and unpleasant associations!
Can't you think of a better description???

Given you starting point, ignore Ted's suggestion.

Either start at Columbus Circle or Sherman's Statue on 59th and 5th.
My suggestion would be the former as that is more convienient from several subway lines.

There are probably more places to go than you can fit into one afternoon. Maybe, walk towards up Belvedere Castle
and across to the Met and see what you see on the way up and over. There is a good map on the centralpark.org website.

If you start in the south in the morning and end around lunchtime, more than likely you'll be in the mid to upper 80's, which is where Dorrian's is located (East 84th Street). Yes, it's a morbid association, but you won't believe how many people ask about it and want to eat there. Go figure. Maybe it's a generational thing (young people and pop culture, you know).

Another dining option would be Nectar, a classic diner on the corner of 79th and Madison where Mayor Bloomberg frequently has breakfast. On Upper West and Upper East there's Jackson Hole, a great burger joint with a 1950's vibe. So many dining options.

Ted's suggestion is great if you are a group of twenty-somthing's and beer, not food, it the most important objective in a restaurant.

You'll be in the Park, bring lunch. Why leave to go to a glorified frat house several avenues away.

I won't take the bait because you, "x," are way out of your league. (And did you notice the original question asking about a "neighborhood/brew pub type restaurant in the area"????)

Actually, during the day Dorrian's is a normal Upper East Side restaurant catering to a wide variety of people, many with little ones. Of course it does offer brew and a full bar. It is a hike, however, to Second Avenue from Central Park (15 minutes). On the plus side, it could handle a large group, which might be tough at other locations, particularly on a Sunday. A prime consideration will be the number of people in your walking group. If you have more than 6 or 7, you'll probably need to arrange something in advance for most locations.

Never been to Dorrian's, but Westside Brewing Company on Amsterdam at 76th Street is a good choice.

Ted is right about Jackson Hole. It would be an excellent choice and should accomodate a large party. If you end your walk on the west side, 85th & Columbus. If you end on the east side, 84th & Second (across the street from Dorrians, ironically).

Thanks for the suggestions so far. To clarify my original post, our group is far out of our 20's and by neighborhood brew pub, I was thinking along the lines of a true Scottish/Irish pub where families gather for brew and meals. Is smoke-free an impossibility in NY?

Are there two locations for Jackson Hole that Cheryl mentioned? Are they about the same?

Thanks?

Yes, 2 separate Jackson Hole locations, one on the Upper West Side (relatively near the Natural History Museum) and one of the Upper East Side (relatively near the Metropolitan Museum of Art). Identical menus, and both offer outdoor seating. Many say their burgers are the best in New York City. But a ~very~ diverse menu.

I don't have any great ideas for where these people should eat; I remember Dorrian's (it used to be Dorrian's Red Hand, is it still?) from way before the "preppy murder" days.
And/but--do you think Jackson Hole serves beer? I think of it as more like a diner. It is not like a pub, to me.

Are there recommendable places on Columbus Avenue?

Full bar at JACKSON HOLE.

Yes, officially the name is Dorrian's the Red Hand, opened in 1965. Jack Dorrian, the owner, is often in the house, as is his wife. Dorrian's is also a popular Yankees hangout. Once upon a time (1998), Shane Spencer tried to pick up my wife. Sorry Shane, get your own!