Australian accents resound along 5th Avenue at 105th street and I take full responsibility. For the past couple of weeks the Conservatory Gardens have been peaking with cherry blossom, magnolias, tulips, wisteria and lilacs. Collectively in the north east corner of Central Park these much anticipated blooms have been a spectacular sight and their perfume made it a pleasure just to breathe. With the timing of Spring always being so hard to predict and the season last year lasting just a couple of weeks before the summer sun set in, this year has been an absolute bonus. And of course I had to share it. An unsuspecting visitor only had to pause momentarily with map in hand, and I jumped in with enthusiastic discouragement about venturing to the top of the Empire State Building or finding tickets for a Broadway show. Go to the Park! Of course Australians are my favorite audience for sharing what I consider the best places to go, but really, I can’t lose. This is New York after all. Even if botanicals were not what you had in mind for your Big Apple experience, you can always be sure of finding something else along the way. This week it was a local taking his turtles for a walk in the park, and already behind me there were two other Australians on bikes waiting to get a photo…
TheFitzyreport 
The Park looks stunning Gabrielle. You are a great ambassador!!
Thank you Chris!
Hello Gabrielle stunning photos and really enjoy your radio stint on 774. Jan
Thanks Jan – and thanks especially for listening in the middle of the night…
Gabrielle
I really enjoy your blog. It covers events and places not in conventional travel books
Have you considered writing a seasonal
guide to NYC?
Best wishes
Jane
Thank you! This is a great idea Jane, I have thought about writing a guide. Only each time I get started, something changes. It is one of those projects that I would need to write very quickly with lots of qualifying footnotes. But yes, I should definitely have a go…
Only in NYC! Obviously the turtle walker enjoyes the slow pace
Indeed! There is a pet for everyone!
Dear Gabrielle, your photos are as stunning as your ability to showcase Manhattan. What a gorgeous park for the residents, tourists and admirers of the world’s only City! By chance I awoke very early last Friday morning (ACST) and heard your conversation with Rod. I don’t know how you keep finding things of such eccentric interest. Well done.
Thank you Peter. I am in the process of wrangling a trip to the NY markets in the Bronx – the proximity makes it complicated. But it will be worth the effort in the end as these are the largest wholesale produce markets in the world, and the visuals will be amazing. Only thing is that there is no Lucia’s… But if I find a half decent alternative I will let you know. Maybe we can meet for a coffee…?!
You’re on!
I love reading your blog and am waiting excitedly for time to pass until our departure date to NY. Will be visiting some of the interesting, quirky places you tell us about. Thank you!
My pleasure Kathy. Have fun working on your list…!
Thank you again Gabrielle for another stunning report as we back home in Australia aways look forward to such detail report with some of the most interesting things happening in NYC . Wishing you a beautiful spring ahead and looking forward yo your next instalment . Thank You .
Thank you Paul. I always appreciate your feedback.
How wonderful it looks and I hope it is still looking this way when we arrive for 10 days on May 27. These 70-somethings are so excited to at last be about to descend upon New York.
Marilyn there will always be something going on here so don’t worry. The rhododendrons are just starting to come out and there is a whole new stretch of the Park dedicated to them south from east 86th street. Also some rain is expected over the coming days so that will help hold the blooms in anticipation of your arrival… Have a look at the East River Ferry that goes under the 3 bridges and gives you a lovely perspective of the city – and will take you to Barge Music under the Brooklyn Bridge on a Saturday afternoon – or on to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Or Governor’s Island… Please let me know if you have any questions about anything.