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Category: Recreation

Prospect Park In Brooklyn

by mystery

Prospect Lake At Prospect Park - BrooklynWhen you think of Brooklyn you don’t often think of a large sprawling park, but that’s exactly what you get. Prospect Park is huge at 585 acres and is right in the heart of Brooklyn. The landscape is stunning…designed by the same person who designed Central Park in Manhattan.

The park is right in the middle of very diverse neighborhoods and is a local hangout for many of the residents that live in this populous borough. There are an incredible amount of activities to enjoy in this large park, but you can also enjoy just laying around on a sunny day – soaking in the rays and reading a book. There are loads of places that you can go and sit quietly by yourself, or you could enjoy the company of friends, family, or a date.

Once you get there, you can start off with the Prospect Park Audubon Center – the nation’s first Audubon Center. This is where you will find all the boat tours, bird watching walks, the park’s visitor center, as well as the interactive exhibits that children love. You can even grab a sandwich at the café on your way to see more of the beautifully landscaped Long Meadow area.

The Long Meadow is a 1 mile long unbroken meadow in the middle of this urban park filled with rolling hills and trees that are scattered about. This is the perfect place to take your time to enjoy the nature and peace and quiet that you will find. You can also find a great game of football being played here at any given time. Enjoy your time as you make your way to the Grand Army Plaza which holds many of the historic monuments in the park such as the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Memorial Arch. It is also where you will find Bailey Fountain as well as a collection of statues. The Green Market is open seasonally there for your enjoyment.

For the kids, you have the Prospect Park Zoo as well as Wollman Rink. They have pedal boating which is a really popular activity on the 60 acre lake. The outdoor skating rink is tons of fun and a fantastic date activity.

With all the beauty, quiet sitting spots, bird watching, and boating all in one place, you’ll be hard pressed to ever find another place like it.

Getting Here

The park is easily accessible to the people who live here, as well as people coming from other neighborhoods. You can take the F, Q, S, or B train or the 2 or 3 train all leading to Prospect Park station. If you drive to the park, there is even free parking year round located at the Wollman Rink.

Niagara Falls State Park

by Charisse Van Horn

Niagara Falls State ParkBreathtaking waterfalls, exquisitely majestic views, and awe inspiring scenery has made Niagara Falls State Park one of the most popular destinations in the country. Sharing boundaries with Canada, Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest park in American history.

Features

Niagara Falls State Park features three waterfalls, the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the Canadian or Horseshoe Falls. The park also hosts over 400 acres of beautiful pristine flora and fauna. The wildlife is protected and there are plenty of scenic nature trails to visit while at the park.

When you arrive, you should first stop at the visitor center and pick up a map. It is free to enter the Visitor Center, and along with information, they also have a guest shop, restaurants and theater. The Adventure Theater located in the Visitor Center, features IMAX documentaries that will introduce you to the magnificience of the falls and the surrounding region.

The Falls

There are three waterfalls that comprise Niagara Falls. The first, the American Falls are situated on the Niagara River and are located directly on the Canadian/US border. However, the American Falls are 100% on American soil.

The Bridal Veil Falls are located between Goat and Luna Islands and are smaller than the American and Canadian or Horseshoe Falls. One of Niagara’s biggest attractions, the Cave of the Winds tour, takes the visitor to the very base of ht Bridal Veil Falls.

The Horseshoe Falls makes up the third set of falls. These falls are in Canada and are located between Table Rock and Goat Island.

Things To Do

Niagara Falls State Park offers numerous attractions and activities to its visitors. The most popular include the following: Cave of the Winds, Adventure Theater, Kodak Photography, Nature Lovers Guide, Aquarium of Niagara, Discovery Center, Niagara Scenic Trolley, Observation Tower, Visitor Center, fishing, hiking, nature trails, gift shops, museums, biking, and there are always plenty of special events scheduled. Niagara Falls is revered for its sheer beauty and many people choose Niagara Falls as their perfect destination for weddings.

Getting There

Follow the Robert Moses Parkway until you reach Niagara Falls.