Travel Planner: Central Park, NY

Standing in the lush grass of this park, you'd never imagine that it was once a swamp and a dumping ground. But the gleaming Unisphere (an enormous 140-foot-high steel globe) might tip you off that this 1,255-acre park was also the site of two World's Fairs.

Many New Yorkers head to a specific attraction, such as a Mets game or the science museum, not realizing the many discoveries to be made nearby. But savvy visitors can take advantage of "one-stop park shopping." Here are not only typical grassy knolls, barbecue pits, and sports fields, but also an art museum, a petting zoo, golf and minigolf, and even a model-plane field. It is too large to see everything in one day, so aim to hit a few primary spots. Though several destinations are clustered together on the northwest side of the park, be prepared for long peaceful walks in between. The flat grounds are ideal for family biking; rent bikes near the park entrance or Meadow Lake from March to October. Although the park is great in daytime, avoid visiting once it gets dark; there has been some crime in this area. Subway: 7 to 111th St. or Willets Point.

This sports-and-entertainment complex along the Hudson River between 17th and 23rd streets (entrance on 23rd), a phenomenal example of adaptive reuse, is the size of four 80-story buildings lying flat. There's pretty much every kind of sports activity going on inside and out, from golf to ice-skating, rock climbing, soccer, bowling, gymnastics, and basketball. Plus there's a spa, elite sport-specific training, film studios, and a brewery. It's the jumping-off point for some of the city's varied water tours and dinner cruises. Trips on the river via private yacht can be arranged by Surfside 3 Marinemax Marina

(

). Lunch cruises, dinner cruises, and cabaret sails can be reserved on

or

, which both leave from

(

). Sophisticated themed cruises on the retro-designed

, and the

leave from Pier 62 through

(

). www.chelseapiers.com. Subway: C, E to 23rd St.

The rambling Victorian-era hotel—a jumble of towers, chimneys, porches, and turrets—sits at the edge of a mountaintop lake. The resort's 2,200 acres encompass private woodland and elaborate gardens and overflow with options for recreation, including 85 mi of hiking trails. Antiques fill the guest rooms, which are luxurious and spacious. Choice accommodations in the towers have original Victorian woodwork, wood-burning fireplaces, and balconies. Your room rate includes three meals daily, plus afternoon tea and cookies. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style; dinner is a formal affair (men may want to wear jackets). Four self-catering cottages, which sleep four to six people, are also available and include full kitchens. Pros:

all-inclusive plan; tons of activities; great for kids.

grounds can be packed with day-trippers; not for those looking for quiet getaway. www.mohonk.com. 265 rooms, 7 suites, 4 cottages. In-room: safe, no TV (some), Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurants, bar, golf course, pool, tennis courts, gym, spa, water sports, children's programs, laundry facilities, business center. Credit cards accepted. Cottages closed mid-Oct.-mid-May.