Central Park New York City:
Central Park is a beloved New York City landmark and a must-visit destination for those visiting the Big Apple. Located in the middle of Manhattan, Central Park spans 843 acres and is home to a wide array of activities, attractions, and history. From its rolling hills and lakes to its numerous playgrounds, baseball fields, and gardens, Central Park offers something for everyone.
History of Central Park in New York
The history of Central Park dates back to the mid-19th century when the city of New York was rapidly expanding and a large park was needed to provide much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. In 1853, the city government commissioned the design of Central Park from Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. The pair created a beautiful park that was filled with winding paths, lakes, bridges, and a variety of trees and plants.
Visitors to Central Park can enjoy a variety of activities, from leisurely strolls along its winding paths to more active pursuits like biking, running, and rollerblading. There are also numerous playgrounds, ice rinks, and ball fields located throughout the park. Central Park is also home to a number of iconic attractions, including the Central Park Zoo, the carousel, and the Belvedere Castle, which offers spectacular views of the park.
For those looking to explore the park’s history, there are a number of monuments and statues located throughout the park, including the bronze statue of Christopher Columbus that stands in Columbus Circle. Additionally, the park is home to a number of historic buildings, like the Obelisk and the Dairy, which were both built in the 1800s.
In addition to the myriad of activities and attractions, Central Park is a great place to relax and enjoy nature. There are numerous benches throughout the park for visitors to sit and relax, as well as various gardens such as the Conservatory Garden and the Shakespeare Garden. The park also hosts a number of special events throughout the year, including the Central Park SummerStage Concerts and the Central Park Film Festival.
Central Park is an iconic New York City destination that offers something for everyone. From its wide array of activities and attractions to its numerous historic sites and monuments, Central Park is a must-visit destination for those looking to explore the city. Whether you’re looking to relax, explore, or take part in an activity, Central Park is sure to have something for you.
Central Park New York Things To Do:
Attractions:
Strawberry Fields:
One of the most popular tourist destinations in New York City is a live memorial to John Lennon in Central Park.
Strawberry Fields, a 2.5 acre portion of Central Park that honours the late Beatle John Lennon, singer, songwriter, musician, and peace activist, is situated close to Central Park West between 71st and 74th Streets (map).
Strawberry Fields, which is styled after the park’s original flowing layout, is bordered by tall elm trees, shrubs, flowers, and rocks. At Central Park, this section has been classified as a quiet area.
Cherry Blossom Trees
The cherry blossom trees in Central Park draw visitors from all over the world during the spring, from April to May. It’s simple to understand why, given that the beauty of their flowers is equally magnificent and dramatic.
Belvedere Castle
Belvedere Castle provides park visitors with exactly what its name says. Belvedere is an Italian word that means “beautiful outlook.” The Delacorte Theater, the Great Lawn, the Turtle Pond, and the Ramble are just a few of the stunning and well-known sights in Central Park that may be seen from its two balconies.
Top Activities:
Horse and Carriage Rides
Taking a ride in a horse-drawn carriage is a lovely way to take in Central Park’s magnificence. The following pickup zones always have them lined up there:
- Grand Army Plaza: use the centre lane at the Fifth Avenue and East 60th Street entrance.
- North of Central Park South, inside the park’s entrance, is Sixth Avenue.
- The east curb of Seventh Avenue, roughly 20 feet from Central Park Sout
Top 7 Picnic Spots:
At one of these top 7 spots in Central Park, have a picnic.
You just need to pick one from our list of the top 7 spots in Central Park to enjoy a picnic, so make it simple and go there!
Before you go, don’t forget to look at our picnic packages and planning advice for a picnic in Central Park.
Concerts:
Grab a selection of performances and concerts in Central Park!
In New York’s Central Park, you can discover all kinds of concerts and music. Enjoy seasonal favourites including the Global Citizen Festival, Summer Stage Festival, and the GMA Summer Concert Series.
Tours & Bike Rentals
E-Scooter Tours
An enjoyable and convenient way to explore everything in Central Park!
Prepare to scoot your way to adventure at the most well-known park in the world! You may enjoy gliding through Central Park’s lush and meandering paths on one of our top-notch electric scooters from Xiaomi and Ninebot while taking in the views.
Pedicab Tours
While you tour well-known Central Park attractions, relax and take it easy! The best way to view the attractions without putting in a lot of effort is to take a pedicab tour of Central Park! Your driver will lead you by numerous well-known sights and iconic locations all over Central Park.
Running & Fitness Tours
Take one of our jogging or fitness tours to see some of Central Park’s most famous spots. There is something for everyone to do in Central Park, including 5K training, core exercises, HIIT, and even yoga positions!
Bike Tours
During this 2-hour guided trip, take pleasure in pedalling leisurely through Central Park. See famous sites including Bethesda Fountain, Wollman Rink, Strawberry Fields, and Belvedere Castle!
Bike Rental
With a Central Park bike rental, you can easily travel at your own pace while taking in the views of the park. Discover places to visit like Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, Alice in Wonderland, and Belvedere Castle.
Central Park Walking Tour
By visiting well-known sites like Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, Wollman Rink, the Gapstow Bridge, Belvedere Castle, and others, you may learn about the park’s history and architecture.
The Central Park Zoo:
Around 130 different species can be seen here, just a few yards from Fifth Avenue, including everything from tropical birds to snow leopards. You can explore a variety of habitats on the five plus acres of the Zoo, each of which was thoughtfully created to mimic the natural habitats of the animals it houses. Visit the Tisch Children’s Zoo instead.
Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Weekends: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Ice Skating
Enjoy flying across the ice while the skyline of New York City is in the distance. The ideal daytime or evening activity to enjoy with friends, family, or even a date is ice skating in Central Park. Get some skates or rent some, then have fun!
Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink are the two primary ice skating rinks in Central Park, both of which provide skate and locker rentals.
Tuesday and Monday from 10:00 AM until 2:30 PM
10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Wednesday and Thursday.
10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.
10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday
Sports
Several sporting activities are available in Central Park, many of which are free or inexpensive. Explore all of them here, or visit our event calendar to learn more about yoga sessions, running excursions, children’s clinics, and other activities.
The North Meadow Recreation Complex has equipment, courts for basketball and handball, and two climbing walls. The park also has tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and soccer fields.
Boating
Horseback Riding
Bicycle Riding
New York Central Park Photos:
