17 things to do in Central Park

With its 341 hectares of extension, Central Park is the largest urban park in New York and its green lung, a beautiful place where New Yorkers gather to take a nice walk, sunbathe or play sports and thus disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city. It tops the list of the best parks in New York and surely you have seen it countless times in the movies.

It is convenient to remember that it is more than 800 meters wide and more than 4 kilometers long. Considering this fact, walking through Central Park would be exhausting. In order to get an overview, you can join a guided tour or see it on your own, for which I have made this list of must-sees.

There are many ways to tour Central Park, but the time you have may not be infinite and you may be afraid to leave things behind. The truth is that touring the park by bike is a very good option, as it will allow you to go around the park in much less time and see its main points of interest. In addition, you have several options:

• Rent a bike in Central Park, from $10
• Rent an electric bike in Central Park, from $27
• Central Park bike cab tour with driver, from $59.
• Private bike tour of Central Park in New York, from $89
• 2-hour bike tour of Central Park in New York, from $60
• And if biking is not your thing, you can also book an electric scooter tour of Central Park, from $87

It was the first zoo in New York (1860) and specializes in certain species such as lemurs, grizzly bears, white leopards, red pandas or sea lions, but children will be familiar with its famous penguins, which inspired the hit movies Madagascar.

The entrance to the Central Park Zoo has to be purchased in advance, but fortunately prices are not excessive. An adult ticket for the Central Park Zoo costs from $20, which makes it an affordable plan (considering the standard Manhattan prices). Another option is to take this tour of New York with a visit to the Central Park Zoo.

And if you prefer to see the flora

Visit the Conservatory Gardens: this is a huge garden divided into three different styles (English, French and Italian) with beautiful seasonal plants and flowers. The atmosphere here is very relaxed, as there are no cyclists or joggers, so you can take a leisurely stroll enjoying the scenery.

If you want to feel like a movie star, there is no better plan than a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park. A tour of approximately 20 minutes in which you will discover the most interesting points of the park and, in addition, you will have the option to customize the tour thanks to the recommendations and guidance of the professional driver-guide.

This is a private tour and a maximum of four people can ride in the carriage. An ideal option if you want to visit the park and have little time or if you want to have a special evening. In addition, it has a wide variety of departure times.

If you want a more complete tour, you can also book a horse-drawn carriage tour of Central Park, Rockefeller and Times Square. I leave you a post where you can check the best carriage rides in Central Park. My recommendation: take your ride at sunset to appreciate the beauty of the sky.

And if you are passionate about movies, don't hesitate to book a tour of Central Park with movie locations, where you will visit up to 30 movie sets. *Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sex and the City, Taxi Driver, The Avengers or Ghostbusters are some of the films that chose Central Park for their scenes. You will be amazed!

You will not miss any detail of all the historical places in the park, because you will be accompanied at all times by a professional guide on this two-hour walking tour.

Apart from all the sites I have already mentioned to see in Central Park, in your route you have to include some museums and buildings that are on the edge of the park. The most important from north to south are the following:

Most of the park's attractions are located in the southern half, between 59th and 86th. The Pond, at 1.4 acres, is Central Park's fourth largest lake and a haven for migratory birds. The Pond is located in a sort of valley, so that the noise is surprisingly quiet and it is a haven of peace, ideal for watching the sunset.

Other lakes or reservoirs in the park:

• Harlem Meer: Another of the lakes that exist in Central Park and a jewel that not many know about. It is common to see fishermen here on the condition that they return the fish to the water and people having a picnic. Being surrounded by large trees, it gives the feeling of being isolated urban New York for a moment. In spring it is impressive to see how the roses invade this part of Central Park.
• Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir: With 43 hectares it is the largest lake in Central Park. Until the 90's it was a drinking water reservoir for New York, but nowadays it only supplies the other lakes in the park.

The Lake is the second largest lake in the park after Reservoir. It is crossed by the Bow Bridge, where you can rent small boats or gondola rides during the summer. Taking a boat ride at any time of the day is a quiet and super relaxing experience, but if the weather permits, I recommend you do it at sunset, when the colors of the park and the surrounding buildings take on a magical color.

If you want to rent a boat on The Lake, you should know that it can accommodate up to four people and the price is from 15 € per hour, although you will have to pay 5 € more approximately for every additional 15 minutes it takes to return it. Normally you will be asked for a deposit of about 20 € which is returned when they check that the boat is in perfect condition.

The opening hours are from 10 a.m. to sunset, from April to November, so take advantage of the plan if you are traveling to New York in the spring, summer or fall.

One of the most typical plans in New York during the winter (and even more if we talk about Christmas) is to go ice skating in Central Park. Just in the south corner of the park you will find Wollman Rink, a spectacular ice rink where you can slide on the ice from 10 am to 10 pm every day of the week (be careful, on Mondays they close around 2:30).

Regarding the price, adults pay about 12.50 € and children from 6-7 € approximately, and skate rental is available at the entrance of the same rink from ten euros more. Remember to bring cash because they do not accept credit cards. Once there, they will ask you your foot size in order to give you a suitable pair of skates. It is a great plan that awaits you in New York from November.

If you are dreaming of a postcard city because you are lucky enough to visit New York at Christmas, I leave you other plans like this that you can not miss in the most magical time of year: 15 Christmas things to do in New York City.

This carousel is an icon of the park that has been in operation since 1871. It is one of the largest carousels in the country and has been enjoyed by many generations. A 3 and a half minute ride costs $3 (about $2.80). Nearby you will see an area for outdoor sports.

Although it may seem a bit childish, you would be surprised at the number of adults who come and try it without children. Maybe it has something to do with the photos that many people think of uploading to their Instagram, but the truth is that the location of the merry-go-round gives the whole family a lot of fun.

Open since 1934, Tavern on the Green is Central Park's most famous restaurant. It specializes in American cuisine and is a highly recommended place to enjoy its terrace in spring, with a garden full of flowers and wonderful views of the park.

It is probably not the best restaurant you will try during your trip, but the location and the environment make it a very nice place to stop to rest (or to warm up) before or after your walk through the park.

On their menu you can find everything from salads to sandwiches and burgers, but what I liked the most was the soup of the day, which I assure you is perfect to warm up your body after an ice skating session on a winter day in New York.

If you go to Central Park you have to run at least part of this wonderful promenade. The Mall is the main promenade in the park, running from 66th Street to 72nd Street, leading to the beautiful Bethesda Terrace, which I'll tell you about in a moment.

I like to imagine the upper class of the city arriving at the park in their carriages decades ago and going down for a nice stroll here - a real trip back in time!

Today it's a popular gathering place for street performers and skateboarders, among others. (By the way, you'll be amazed at the level of many of the skateboarders that hang out here!) There is also quite often live music along the route. At the south end of The Mall is The Literary Walk, a promenade with statues of famous writers such as Shakespeare, Robert Burns and Sir William Scott.

Bethesda Terrace is considered the heart of Central Park. The ensemble is presided over by the Bethesda Fountain (1873), one of its most photographed attractions, but the top of the terrace and the beautifully tiled and arched lower passageway deserves a lot of attention as well.

Live musicians playing around the fountain are quite common, and many New Yorkers use it as a meeting place to catch up with friends (and first dates). You'll also see groups of teenagers strolling here after school and it's a place where more than one has proposed to their significant other (I'll leave it at that!).

Strawberry Fields is the name of the John Lennon memorial located between 71st and 74th Streets that was named after a song by The Beatles: "Strawberry Fields Forever".

Lennon lived very close to here, in the famous Dakota Building and in tribute a large mosaic was set in the ground with the word "Imagine", referring to one of his best known songs. Today, this circular mosaic has become a center of pilgrimage for his fans.

You will identify it right away because there are usually musicians playing live Lennon songs around it, as well as a group of tourists waiting to take the mythical photo with the mosaic.

One of the most famous statues in Central Park in honor of the characters of the writer Lewis Caroll. It was specially designed for children to climb on it and take a fun photo with Alice, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter. Not far away is the statue of Hans Christian Andersen, author of "The Little Mermaid".

Other statues in Central Park

Most of the statues that we can see in Central Park have been donated by organizations and private individuals while a few by the city itself. There are statues dedicated to animals, writers, fictional characters, historical figures, scientists and even a World War I regiment.

This is a Victorian-style fortification designed in 1865. There is now a weather observatory here, but you can visit the castle and enjoy panoramic views of the Delacorte Theater, Great Lawn, Turtle Pond Lake and Ramble Forest.

This is the largest meadow in Central Park, where New Yorkers gather to sunbathe or picnic when the weather is nice. If you visit the park in summer, several free events are organized here, such as concerts by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Where to buy take-out food

If the weather is fine and it's a sunny day, don't hesitate to organize the perfect plan in Central Park. But where to buy food for a picnic?

• Whole Foods Market: Located at 10 Columbus Circle, this supermarket has a large buffet of salads, prepared dishes, sandwiches, burgers, organic products and juices.
• The Plaza Food Hall: This is a food market in the subway floor of the Plaza Hotel with a bakery, pastry shop and bar/restaurant where you can buy different products. You can eat here at one of its tables or bars or order a take away to go to Central Park. The Plaza Food Hall is located at 1 W 59th St., Central Park.
• Street stalls: Scattered throughout Central Park there are several food stands where you can buy hot dogs, waffles, ice cream, sandwiches and drinks.
• Café Express: It is the cheap option of The Loeb Boathouse where they offer hamburgers, sandwiches and salads. It has a very nice garden where to eat when the weather is nice, although they also have a take-away service that allows you to enjoy a picnic in the park.
• Le Pain Quotidien: It is a simple cafeteria with affordable prices for lunch or snacks. They have a healthy menu, coffee, pastries and a delicious lemonade, which you can enjoy on their cozy terrace overlooking the park. They also have free WiFi.

On the shores of The Lake is this elegant restaurant that has been the setting for popular movies and series such as "When Harry Met Sally," "27 Dresses" or "Sex and the City" during its more than six decades of history.

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How to get there?

• Bus: lines M1, M2, M3 M4 and M10.
• Metro: lines 5, 6, 7, A, B, C and D.

Location and schedule

Between Fifth and Eighth avenues and 59th and 110th streets. The park is open from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

What is the most popular entrance?

The Fifth Avenue entrance to the Plaza Hotel. It is the most frequented, although if you are looking to start the visit with less hustle and bustle of tourists and more tranquility you can go north towards Harlem.

How much time to spend

Depending on the length of your stay in New York, you can plan your visit to Central Park in different ways:

How to find your way around Central Park?

Central Park has many different entrances and once there you can get disoriented due to the sheer size of the park. In order to avoid this, I advise you to look at the lampposts because they are numbered. The first two digits correspond to the street number that is closest to you while the last number indicates whether you are more on the west or east side of the park.

Also, the even digits mean you are closer to the east side of Manhattan while the odd digits indicate you are on the west side.

Information points in Central Park

In case you feel lost or want to find the best route to get somewhere in Central Park you can go to any of the four information points in the park.

Public Restrooms in Central Park

If you feel the call of nature while visiting Central Park, don't worry, there are public restrooms! Here are the ones that are open year-round:

Central Park is, without a doubt, one of the must-see things to do in Manhattan. The best time to visit the park is spring or fall, two times when the beauty of Central Park's flora is at its peak with the flowering of the vegetation or the changing color of the leaves on the trees, which is a beautiful spectacle of color for the eyes.

However, winter also has its charm as the iconic Wollman Rink ice rink is set up and in summer Central Park is an oasis of coolness to relax in when New York's high temperatures are at their peak.

What day of the week is the best day to explore Central Park?

Central Park tops the list of the best parks in New York and any time is a good time to take a nice walk in this Manhattan park, but it is true that Sundays have a special magic as it is a holiday and many New Yorkers take the opportunity to go to Central Park for a picnic in the meadows, a photo tour, sports, etc..

Central Park is well appreciated by walking or biking, as we found out. It's full of hidden hills, bridges, lakes and overlooks that will treat you to incredible postcards.

But as with almost everything in New York, it is best to enjoy Central Park from a bird's eye view. If you want to see Central Park from above, the best views are from the Top of the Rock or from the terrace of the MET Museum.

Another option is to join a helicopter ride over Manhattan and enjoy the immensity of the park in its entirety. There are several tours that comb the entire park, from south to north, and I assure you that they will leave you with your mouth open.