Popular city parks Archives - Sand-Lewi Wy-Clark https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/category/popular-city-parks/ Travel blog on U.S. city parks Thu, 19 Oct 2023 08:44:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/cropped-lake-5692324_640-32x32.png Popular city parks Archives - Sand-Lewi Wy-Clark https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/category/popular-city-parks/ 32 32 Golden Gate Park https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/golden-gate-park/ Mon, 13 Jun 2022 08:41:00 +0000 https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/?p=58 Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is considered one of the most interesting attractions of this port city. Travelers and locals love this park for a reason, because it is simply impossible not to fall in love with this place.

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Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is considered one of the most interesting attractions of this port city. Travelers and locals love this park for a reason, because it is simply impossible not to fall in love with this place. Travelers and visitors to the city can stay in great San Francisco hotels located near the park. This is the largest park in San Francisco, its area is more than 400 hectares: from the city center to the ocean. Golden Gate Park is a true marvel of landscape design. It was founded in the 19th century and today it is considered one of the most famous parks in the world with an attendance of about 13 million people a year. Only two parks in the USA – Central Park in New York and Lincoln Park in Chicago – have managed to overtake this figure.

The territory of the park is rich in forests, plains and waterfalls. There are also real lakes with islands, dunes and hills.

Everyone will be comfortable here – both hikers and those who prefer active recreation like cycling or horseback riding. Also in Golden Gate Park you can do sports or find a lot of entertainment for children.

Golden Gate Park hosts street entertainment and concerts of popular performers. In the park you can see many interesting birds and animals, and there are several museums.

There are many interesting areas located in the park. These include:

  • Conservatory of Flowers. This is the name of a large botanical garden created in 1878. It contains about 1,700 different species of plants from all over the world.
  • Academy of Sciences. This is a vast, grandiose museum that is simultaneously a planetarium, aquarium, rainforest and natural history museum. It is home to over 40,000 animals and the Academy of Sciences has a collection of 20 million artifacts. This building is equipped with the latest technology.
  • The Botanical Garden (or San Francisco Botanical Garden) is a true outdoor splendor, presenting visitors with 7,500 plants from all over the world.
  • The Museum of Fine Arts offers a marvelous collection of paintings, decorative arts and other works of art for all to see. The museum also hosts a floral bouquet show every year.
  • Stone Lake (or Stown Lake). This lake surrounds Strawberry Hill, from which it then flows into a man-made waterfall.
  • Music Zone. This is the name of the outdoor area where various musical events are usually held. The centerpiece of the music zone is the temple of music.

In addition to the areas listed above, Golden Gate Park has a number of other interesting places, such as the Japanese Tea Garden with many ponds and paths, themed bridges and sculptures, the bison enclosure at the west end of Golden Gate Park, the mills, Bible and Shakespeare Gardens, Chalet Park, and many others.

Other options for Golden Gate Park sigway tours can be found here.

If you decide to visit San Francisco, don’t bypass this gorgeous park. It would take a full day to walk around the Golden Gate, but that hardly seems like enough. Another must-see is the eponymous Golden Gate Bridge, the most recognizable and popular bridge in the world.

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Top things to see and do in Forest Park https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-forest-park/ Sun, 16 Jan 2022 08:37:00 +0000 https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/?p=55 In many ways, Forest Park is the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. The 1,300-acre park is home to some of the city's best cultural institutions and hosts many of the region's most popular annual events.

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In many ways, Forest Park is the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. The 1,300-acre park is home to some of the city’s best cultural institutions and hosts many of the region’s most popular annual events. In the summer, it hosts free concerts, outdoor Shakespeare, and huge hot air balloon races. Winter means tobogganing down the Artistic Hill and ice skating. The forest park also has an extensive network of trails that are open all year round.

For serious art lovers, the free St. Louis Art Museum has over 30,000 works of art, including works by Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse and Picasso. The galleries and exhibitions range from ancient artifacts to 20th century modern art (and almost everything in between). Perhaps it’s the fact that the museum is in a forest park, or that it looks out over the kayakers in Grand Bassin, but the museum never feels stuffy or sleepy. In addition, the kid-friendly activities and events make the museum fun for families.

The St. Louis Zoo, considered one of the best zoos in the country, has over 20,000 animals, its own railroad, and many rides, shows, and shops. The best part is that admission is absolutely free.

At the Children’s Zoo, visitors love to gaze into the eyes of hippos, splash with penguins, and slide in the otter pool. The zoo also plays an important role in conservation around the world. Its WildCare Institute is a world leader in the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. Visitors can learn more about these efforts and how to support them at educational talks and events throughout the year.

The success of the St. Louis Science Center lies in its ability to make science fun for all ages. Preschoolers love learning about gravity, bugs, and biology in the Discovery Room. For older children, there are animated dinosaurs and hundreds of fun experiments. And all ages will be amazed by watching movies on the four-story, wraparound OMNIMAX theater. There’s also the bridge over Highway 40, where glass floor panels show cars moving below and radar shows the speed of each car. And, of course, there’s the classic Planetarium, where you can view a simulated night sky of 9,000 stars, but without the interference of city lights.

Few St. Louis traditions have deeper roots than summer evenings at The Muny. The nation’s oldest open-air theater has been a local favorite since 1917. Each year, the Muny produces seven Broadway-quality musicals, ranging from classics like Oklahoma to newer shows like High School Musical. The productions are always high-end (Miss Saigon had a helicopter flyover) and most shows have big dance numbers and often well-known actors. In addition, the 1500 back seats are always available on a first-come, first-served basis. But it’s the setting that makes Muny so unique. With the sounds of the forest park all around, the starry sky overhead, and two giant oak trees growing right on the stage, it’s the perfect way to spend a summer night.

In 1904, when Forest Park hosted the World’s Fair, Grand Basin was the heart and soul of the exhibition. Today, having benefited from a $94 million renovation, the pool is once again the shining jewel of the park. The restored pool is lined with classic promenades and eight fountains that lift the water 30 feet in height. It’s no wonder it’s a top spot in St. Louis for wedding photos, picnics, and boating from the nearby Boathouse. The area is also popular at night, when the lighted fountains and glowing Art Museum attract crowds to sit on the steps, sip wine, and gaze out over the water.

Despite its name, the World’s Fair Pavilion did not actually exist when St. Louis hosted the World’s Fair in 1904. Instead, the pavilion was built in 1909 with money earned from the expo. The building is located at the top of Government Hill between Muni and the zoo. Directly below the pavilion are a fountain and a reflecting pool that were built in the 1930s. The World’s Fair Pavilion is a popular choice for weddings, celebrations and other special events.

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Mission Bay San Diego https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/mission-bay-san-diego/ Sun, 14 Nov 2021 08:35:00 +0000 https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/?p=52 Mission Bay is one of San Diego's most popular outdoor destinations, a complex of waterfront parks, public beaches and grassy palm-lined recreational paths stretching along 27 miles of shoreline.

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Mission Bay is one of San Diego’s most popular outdoor destinations, a complex of waterfront parks, public beaches and grassy palm-lined recreational paths stretching along 27 miles of shoreline. This size makes it the largest man-made water park in the country.

Mission Bay is almost square in shape, with land on all four sides. Water enters through the Mission Bay Channel at the southwest corner. The west side is a narrow peninsula with only one street running north and south. In the middle are Fiesta Island and Vacation Island. Both can be reached by road.

Why you should go to Mission Bay

In Mission Bay, you can fly a kite, birdwatch or have a picnic, but water sports are the rule. The east side of Mission Bay is where people go to play with jet skis, jet skis, and more. The western, seaside side attracts sailboats and sailboaters. You can rent sailboats, jet skis, kayaks, and motorboats at the Mission Bay Sports Center on the west side of the park.

If you plan to go, you can check the water quality to make sure the beaches are open and safe. Just go to the San Diego County Beach Water Quality site. Select the “center” drop-down menu, zoom in, and click on any of the Mission Bay beaches to get the report.

Why you might want to avoid Mission Bay

You’d think there would always be plenty of room in a park that covers 4,200 acres, but it can get busy. Get there early. Bring plenty of food and drinks with you. Otherwise, a quick trip to a nearby store may result in losing your parking spot.

Mission Bay can be difficult to get around by car. The main streets are more like highways with few stops or places to stop to check the map. To make matters worse, the signs are hard to follow and sometimes insignificant. If you don’t know where you’re going before you hit the road and don’t take advantage of a GPS or navigation app, you’ll end up getting lost (or at least frustrated).

How to enjoy the beaches of Mission Bay

There are many beach areas in the park. The easiest way to find one you like is to drive around until you see one you like. In general, the spots along Interstate 5 generate a lot of buzz. After a while you learn to ignore it, but with quieter parks on the other side of the bay, why not go there? Ventura Cove and Bahia Point near the Bahia Resort (Gleason Drive off Mission Bay Blvd) are great, as is Mariners Point across the street.

Opening hours vary in Mission Bay parks, but most are closed for at least a few hours a day. Lifeguards are on duty on weekends, in late spring and early fall, and daily in summer. Alcohol is prohibited everywhere.

The water in Mission Bay is quite calm, but do not let it create a false sense of security. The shore breaks off sharply, and a child who is waist-deep in water can take one step and find himself above his head.

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Lincoln Park in Chicago https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/lincoln-park-in-chicago/ Sat, 24 Jul 2021 08:33:00 +0000 https://www.lewisandclarkwyco.org/?p=49 The Abraham Lincoln Public Park stretches for 11 kilometers along the shore of picturesque Lake Michigan. It is incredibly popular among locals and visitors to the city, because, if statistics are to be believed, about 20 million people come here every year.

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The Abraham Lincoln Public Park stretches for 11 kilometers along the shore of picturesque Lake Michigan. It is incredibly popular among locals and visitors to the city, because, if statistics are to be believed, about 20 million people come here every year. The park, named after the beloved American reformer, was founded in 1868. Just ten years before, the place of the park was occupied by a public cemetery, but the locals did not want to put up with the gloomy neighborhood, and in 1860 the city council decided to organize a “lake park” (Lake Park) on this swampy shore. The city began to improve the area, allocating a decent amount of money, and soon a green and well-maintained city park was born, which received its name in 1865, after the assassination of President Lincoln.

Lincoln Park became a place of cultural life, with carnival processions, open-air concerts, and waterfront theater performances in the summer.

Over the next century, the park was systematically expanded to the north and south, and local landscape designers and architects were engaged in its development and improvement. By the mid-20th century, the result of their labors was a huge park complex with baseball and soccer fields, landscaped fishing areas, golf courses and tennis courts, manicured beaches and protected areas.

In addition to natural and athletic facilities, it has a greenhouse, zoo, Nature Museum, Historical Museum, North Avenue Beach, Conservatory, and monuments to Grant, Franklin, and Lincoln.
The park has become a cultural destination, with carnival processions, outdoor concerts, and waterfront theater productions in the summer. People come to Lincoln Park to relax their bodies and souls, because there is no better place for that!

Lincoln Park Zoo

The most beloved place in Lincoln Park by adults and children alike is the local zoo. Founded in 1868, it is considered the oldest in the New World. One of its rare and long-lived attractions is an ancient oak tree planted back in the early 19th century. The history of the zoo began with beautiful swans – a gift to the state of Michigan from New York, the next came more severe newcomers – bears and lions. Much later, monkeys got their apartments in the zoo. To make the animals live comfortably and favorably in captivity, they are created conditions as close to the natural environment as possible. The animals calmly walk around the territory, feeling themselves a part of the surrounding world. Large carnivores yawn lazily in the shade of trees after a meal, cheetahs and panthers survey the surroundings from a height, occupying beds and branches on trees, flocks of primates roam the ground, turtles crawl in their enclosures, birds chirp.

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