The above photo was taken in August 2008, when I met up with my dad and brother in New York City so that we could see a Yankee game before they tore down the old Yankee Stadium. (At the time, direct flights to New York from Los Angeles were quite a deal; I, of course, took the bus up from Washington, DC).

Located in the United States’ most densely populated city, Central Park is an oasis of greenery that offers a place for New Yorkers to relax and play on a warm summer’s weekend. Opened in 1857, the park has since served as a model for other North American cities to emulate, such as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and Vancouver’s Stanley Park. The park receives approximately 37.5 millions visitors per year, making it the most visited urban park in the United States. Although the park isn’t the largest in the United States (a mere 843 acres compared to the 24,247 acres Franklin Mountains State Park located in El Paso, Texas), it is definitely the most beloved and famous of any American city park. Valued at $528,783,552,000, it is likely the most valuable park, real-estate wise, as well.

The park itself contains several artificial lakes and ponds, ice-skating rinks, a forest, running track, garden, playgrounds, playing fields for various sports. and the famous Central Park Zoo. An outdoor amphitheater is home to the popular “Shakespeare in the Park” summer festivals. Central Park is definitely a “must-visit” attraction while you’re visiting New York City, whether you are just strolling through the park, lounging on the grassy meadows, or joining the hordes of joggers for some exercise.

This is the Atlas statue outside Rockefeller Center in New York City. It was sculpted by Lee Lawrie and Rene Paul Chambellan and installed in its present location in 1937. The statue is 45 feet tall, and includes a 15-foot figure of the Ancient Greek Titan Atlas holding the heavens.

One of the great things about living in DC is that it is so close to some of the major cities on the East Coast, including New York. Short trips to New York from DC are quite easy. Flights to New York leave DC every hour, or you can catch some of the cheap Chinatown buses or take Amtrak (I personally prefer BoltBus). It’s a great place to spend a weekend when you just have to get out of DC.

The Statue of Liberty – the iconic symbol of freedom that greeted millions of immigrants to their new home in the United States. Dedicated in 1886, the statue was a gift to the U.S. from the people of France. This photo was taken in August 2008, when I met up with my dad and brother in New York City so that we could see a Yankee game before they tore down the old Yankee Stadium. Holidays to New York from DC are quite easy – you can catch some of the cheap Chinatown buses or take Amtrak (I personally prefer BoltBus). It’s just the hotel prices you have to worry about…

From the 38th floor of the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Massive hotel, and Times Square is an absolute zoo, but still, not a bad view, huh?

Although this was my sixth trip to New York City, it was the first one in which I visited a few of the typical tourist sites. After the Yankees game, we went to the top of Rockefeller Center, which rises 70 stories above the streets of NYC. Unfortunately, I did not run into my hero, Jack Donaghy.