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The next time you’re sitting, strolling or racing through the Park, take a moment to read the plaques that are affixed to each of the over 9,000 benches scattered throughout the expansive acreage.  They are part of the Adopt-A-Bench program established in 1986 to maintain the park seating and their surrounding landscapes.  Each plaque describes a personal, poignant moment in time, from marriage proposals “After she said yes, they walked through Central Park”, anniversaries “40 wonderful years together and more to come”, tributes to our 4-legged friends “To Maja & Bessie: 2 incredible ladies.  Thank you for your kindness, friendship and love”, as well as honoring our 2-legged giants “In memory of Mike Nichols whose path led from the Upper West Side to the Delacorte Theatre and beyond.”

Shakespeare’s Garden, located on the West Side of the park and 79th Street, covers four acres of plants that change according to the season so that there is something in bloom 365 days of the year. Every flower, herb, plant and shrub in the garden has been meticulously planned and planted to coincide with Shakespeare’s works. For example there is a grouping of  rosemary with pansies, a nod to a verse which the character Ophelia alludes to in “Hamlet.”  Thistle, grown abundantly throughout the property is mentioned in “Much Ado About Nothing” and there is even a white mulberry tree standing in the garden, said to have been grown from a graft of a tree planted by Shakespeare himself.  Bronze plaques with corresponding quotations from Shakespeare’s plays are placed sporadically along the path.  It’s the perfect little quiet locale to meditate, pray or just let those sonnets fly!

If you ever lose your sense of direction in the park, head to the nearest lamp post or “luminaries” as they are called.  There are 1,600 throughout the park and each one can tell you your whereabouts.  On the post you will see four numbers.  The first two digits tell you the nearest street and the second set of numbers will tell you whether you are on the east or west side.  Even numbers mean east, odd numbers west. No compasses (or bread crumbs a’la Hansel and Gretel when lost in the forest) needed to retrace your steps!  Just look to the lamps.  Who knew?!!!

Nothing signals the start of summer more than the annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, America’s  largest ongoing Independence Day pyrotechnic show.  Celebrating it’s 40th year, this visual wonder will be lighting up the sky above Manhattan’s East River with a 25-minute display set to contemporary and patriotic tunes, fired from four barges located along the waterway.  If you can’t be there in person you can always watch the live broadcast from the comfort of your couch on NBC starting at 8pm.

Join in song with our founding fathers (also known as some of Broadway’s finest voices) as they perform the score from the beloved Broadway musical “1776”.  What a perfect way to cap off your 4th of July celebration!  One night only (4th of July, naturally).

Feinstein’s/54 Below, 254 W. 54th St.,  http://54below.com #546-476-3551

This beautiful “Imagine” memorial located in Strawberry Fields (so named for the Beatles song “Strawberry Fields Forever”), was dedicated on October 1985 on what would have been John Lennon’s 45th birthday.  The space is located directly across the street from The Dakota apartment building on West 72nd Street, the building where Lennon lived with his wife Yoko Ono, before his untimely death.  As one of the most popular sights in the park, visitors from around the world leave flowers, stuffed animals and photos of their beloved song man.  A bird’s eye view of Strawberry Fields shows it is shaped like a tear drop, a design request from Lennon’s widow who worked with the park’s  landscape architect. The area is a living testament to the intense love that John had for this city – and it for him.

Need a jolt from those hours spent running on your treadmill or  pedaling on that stationary bicycle?  The folks at Shadowbox have just the answer. A 45-minute class here will have you channelling your inner “Ali”.  High energy music gets you in the groove for intense shadowboxing, interval training and body weight exercises (as in those dreaded but oh-so-effective planks),  making this a terrific yet grueling full body workout.  Put up your dukes!

Shadowbox,  28 West 20th Street    http://shadowboxnyc.com

Don’t leave the park without taking a ride on the famous carousel located at 64th Street in the middle of the park. Taking a ride on one of the 58 beautifully hand-carved horses is a thrill no matter your age.  The carousel has an interesting history: from 1871 to 1924  it was powered by a real four-legged animal!  The wooden horses that riders sat on were actually set in motion by a live mule walking on a treadmill in an underground pit.  The current carousel (the fourth incarnation from the original and one of the largest in the country) was discovered by the Parks Department, abandoned in an old trolley terminal in Coney Island.  Further proof that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

July 4th  12 noon

With a combination of expandable stomach, limber lips and lots of determination, competitors in the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest devour dogs galore to the delight of screaming fans.  A select group of skilled eaters gather at noon to eat Nathan’s hot dogs and buns for a full 10 minutes   The current record holder is Joey Chestnut having eaten an impressive 69 hot dogs.  Catch a glimpse of Joey and the rest of these hot dog eating legends at the celebration that is uniquely as American as it is a Nathan’s tradition.

Nathan’s Coney Island, 1310 Surf Ave.

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At a time when book stores — or books for that matter — are disappearing at a rapid pace, it’s comforting to know that one of the rare city spots that first ignited my imagination as a child still stands.  Thirty-five years since opening, Books of Wonder continues to enchant new generations of young book lovers with its unparalleled collection of 1st and limited editions, rare, signed antique books as well as art from children’s literature.  With a super friendly, knowledgeable staff, it’s no “wonder” that kids of all ages (this “kid” included) choose this oldest and largest independent children’s bookstore as their magical escape and retreat.

Books of Wonder, 18 W. 18th St.,   http://booksofwonder.com #212-989-3270