Madison Square Park

This park defined the northern reaches of Manhattan until its population exploded after the Civil War. It has enjoyed a rejuvenation in the past few years thanks to a renovation and re-dedication project, and now locals unleash their dogs here in the popular dog-run area, as workers enjoy lunches – which can be bought from the hip, on-site Shake Shack – while perched on the shaded benches or sprawled on the wide lawn. These are perfect spots from which to gaze up at the landmarks that surround the park, including the Flatiron Building to the southwest, the art deco Metropolitan Life Insurance Tower to the southeast and the New York Life Insurance Building, topped with a gilded spire, to the northeast. The space also sports 19th-century statues of folks including Senator Roscoe Conkling (who froze to death in a brutal 1888 blizzard) and Civil War admiral David Farragut. Between 1876 and 1882 the torch-bearing arm of the Statue of Liberty was on display here, and in 1879 the first Madison Square Garden arena was constructed on this spot, at Madison Ave and 26th St. In warm months, various park programs feature readings and music performances, many for kids, while eclectic sculptures are shown year-round. And, at the southeast corner of the park, you’ll find one of the city’s few self-cleaning, coin-operated toilets, which lets you do your business for only 25¢.