Central Park
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Good for Kids,
Popular with Locals,
Walking/Hiking,
Park / Garden
Central Park, a huge rectangular slice of oxygenating greenness, is New York City's lungs and soul. Taking up a mammoth 843 acres (341 hectares) in Uptown Manhattan, Central Park is laced with walkways, jogging paths, and woodlands.
Not just a place for relaxation, Central Park is also home to a zoo, skating rink, theater, reservoir, boating lake, fountains, bridle paths, and a carousel. If you’re feeling peckish after all that activity, drop into the Loeb Boathouse for a buffet brunch or dinner.
Popular photo stops in Central Park include the Alice in Wonderland and Balto the Malamute statues, the Belvedere Castle atop Vista Rock and the John Lennon memorial gardens at Strawberry Fields, opposite Lennon’s former home in the Dakota apartment building.
Latest Reviews
Review by Laurie, May 2013
Doing what: New York City Explorer Pass
If you're in NY for a short time (1-4 days) and have a good idea of the activities you would like to do, this pass is great. If you are spending 4 or more days in NY and able to do lots of things, possibly the New York Pass would be a better option.We used our pass for Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium, Night Tour by Citysights and Top of the Rock. Night Tour by Citysights was HORRIBLE in cold weather. Ripley's was very cool. Top of the Rock offered great photo opportunity of the Empire State Building and, best of all, we skipped the line!
Review by Rebecca H, May 2013
Doing what: Central Park Movie Sites Walking Tour
Not expensive and the guide was very informative with a sweet personality. I love watching shows and movies now and think, 'oh yeah... I remember her talking about this.' Not only about movies but Central Park history as well.
Review by Melanie D, April 2013
Doing what: Private Horse and Carriage Ride in Central Park
Incredible. Highly recommend. Not only a horse and carriage ride but also a little bit of a tour as well. Our driver was a 'New Yorker' with lots of enthusiasm, energy and we had a great time. Well work it, would do it again.
Practical Info
Central Park runs north from 59th Street to W 110th Street, bordered by Central Park West and Fifth Avenue. Walking, cycling and taking a horse-drawn carriage ride are the best ways to explore Central Park. Popular strolls include North Meadow and Bethesda Terrace.
The Central Park Visitor Center is at the Dairy, near 65th Street. If you’re entering the park from the south, the closest subways are 5th Avenue and Columbus Circle.
