Hans Christian Anderson
Erected in 1956 to commemorate the author’s 150th birthday, the large bronze statue depicts Anderson seated upon a bench, reading from his beloved children’s tale, The Ugly Duckling. For the past 60 years generations of children have gathered around the foot of this statue every Saturday morning from 11am-12pm, rain or shine throughout the summer months, listening to storytellers from the Hans Christian Anderson Storytelling Center read passages from Anderson’s heartwarming tales including The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina and The Little Match Girl.
Hans Christian Anderson Statue is located near 72nd and Fifth Ave.
Alice In Wonderland
“Alice” stands eleven feet tall, surrounded by the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit and a few of her tea party friends. Unlike most sculptures, children are encouraged to climb, touch and crawl all over the beautifully bronzed sculpture so much so that much of the iconic statue’s exterior polish has been worn down to a smooth finish, thanks to generations of admiring “climbers” of all ages.
Located just north of the Conservatory Water at East 74th Street
Balto
“Balto,” the real-life hero sled dog, has stood his guard with great nobility from high atop his boulder since 1925. Legend has it that back then, in the town of Nome, Alaska, there was a horrific outbreak of diphtheria. Balto battled a blinding blizzard and traveled 674 miles to deliver medicine, thus saving the lives of literally thousands of desperate citizens. Located near The Tisch Children’s Zoo, beloved Balto stands ready to offer complementary rides on his bronzed back and accept hugs from his admiring fans.
Balto is located west of East Drive and 67th Street and north of the Zoo