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- Belvedere Castle. Belvedere Castle is a stone castle atop Vista Rock, offering a spectacular view of the park and the city from its rooftop lookout. Looking north, you see the open green space of the Great Lawn and the Delacorte Theater, where free Shakespearean productions performed by some famous names are held every summer.
- Central Park Zoo. The Central Park Zoo features animals from the Asia, polar regions, and the California Coast. In the Temperate Territory, watch for red pandas, snow leopards, and snow monkeys.
- Strawberry Fields. Located within Central Park, Strawberry Fields is a memorial to John Lennon, who was tragically murdered in 1980 in front of the Dakota apartments just off the west side of the park.
- Bethesda Fountain and Terrace. Bethesda Fountain on Bethesda Terrace stands between the Lake and the Mall, and is one of the architectural highlights of Central Park.
- The 10 Best Things to Do in Central Park
- Extra time? More Great Things to Do in Central Park
- How Big Is Central Park?
- Tips For Visiting Central Park For The First Time
- Best Things to See in Central Park
- What to See in Central Park
10. Admire the Views from Wollman Rink
Found in the southern part of Central Park, the city skyline serves as a backdrop to one of the most famous ice rinks in New York City. The rink is open from late October through early March, so there’s plenty of time to partake in this iconic NYC pastime. My suggestion is to visit in early November so you can enjoy ice skating in Central Park surrounded by beautiful fall foliage. The winter activity comes at a high-demand and gets crowded quickly, especially during the Christmas season. Try...
9. Stroll the Conservatory Garden
Location: East Side between 104th and 106th Opened in 1937, the Conservatory Garden is the only formal garden in Central Park.Spanning six acres, the garden is sectioned off into three beautiful gardens– the French North Garden, Italian Center Garden and English South Garden. Since the Conservatory Garden is located in the northern corner of Central Park, it doesn’t get as many visitors as the other parts of park, offering a small semblance of reprieve. Pity, considering the gardens burst wit...
8. Get Lost in the Ramble
Location: Between 73rd and 79th In an effort to provide an escape from the skyscrapers, the Ramble was designed to feel like a real forest from the Adirondacks in northern New York. The 36-acre woodland is full of meandering paths, rustic bridges, rock formations, peaceful streams and plenty of shady seating areas. The best way to explore the Ramble is to get lost in its thick canopy of fragrances and birdsong. Local’s Tip: over 210 species of birds spotted in the area, the Ramble is the best...
Bike the Park Drive loop
Central Park’s Park Drive Loop is always buzzing with activity – bikers whizzing past runners, whizzing past walkers. Survival of the fittest! You can easily rent a city bike (they’re available right outside the park) and take the wheels for a scenic spin. The entire one-way loop is 6 miles long, but you can cut the distance down by using the various bike paths that run east to west. Take note: Bikes are NOT allowed on paths and pedestrians always have the right of way.
Find Peace in the North Meadow
Similar to the Conservatory Garden, the 23-acre North Meadow is often overlooked because it’s located in the north end of the park. What a pity that is, especially considering this is one of the most relaxing spots in Central Park. You’ll find rocky outcroppings peppered between sugar maples, dogwoods and hickory trees bordering a pristine meadow pronounced by a hilly landscape. This is where locals go to escape the congestion and crowds of the more popular Sheep Meadow area. It’s a great pla...
Cross the Gapstow Bridge
I probably don’t have to tell you that Central Park is full of romantic bridges, but the Gapstow Bridge is one of the most intriguing. The view from the bridge is beautiful, especially when the area is engrossed in fall color. You’ll see an impressive variety of colorful trees, such as oaks, tupelo trees, cherry trees and birches. Take in the splendor of fall in Central Park by sitting on one of the many benches and soaking in the view of the Pond, which is usually full of ducks and geese.
Central Park is 2.5 miles long and 1/2 a mile wide. Technically you can walk the length of the park at a leisurely pace in about two hours. Just be careful not to rush the experience — because, frankly, you don’t need to. Soak in the magnificent beauty of New York’s most beloved city park and pop off at all the iconic spots. When you get your fill ...
Dog off–leash hours: Central Park has designated off-leash hours from 6am-9am and 9pm to close every day of the week. During these hours, dogs are free to roam off leash throughout the entire park. If you love dogs, this is a great time to visit the park, it never ceases to amaze me how many New Yorkers have dogs. Best time to visit Central Park: I...
In sum, these are the best spots in Central Park: 1. Bethesda Terrace 2. The Bow Bridge 3. The Mall 4. Belvedere Castle 5. Strawberry Fields 6. The Reservoir 7. The Lake 8. The Ramble 9. Conservatory Garden 10. Wollman Rink 11. Sheep Meadow 12. Bike the Park Drive Loop 13. North Meadow 14. Gapstow Bridge 15. Conservatory Water 16. Visit the Shakesp...
And there you have it – a quick roundup of the best things to do in Central Park. I hope you enjoyed the post! Cheers!
Central Park is full of attractions, from green meadows to sprawling waters, gardens and unique bridges, music and performance centers, educational facilities, classical architecture and more. Its picturesque beauty boasts natural green landscapes and vistas as far as the eye can see.
Discover endless things to do year round in Central Park! Visit iconic attractions like Bethesda Fountain and the Central Park Zoo, enjoy free events and concerts like SummerStage and Shakespeare in the Park, and have fun with bike rentals, picnics and yoga classes.
Sep 19, 2023 · by Elle-Rose. Updated: September 19, 2023. 11 minute read. If you’re looking for the ultimate list of things to do in Central Park, NYC, you’ve come to the right place! There are so many incredible things to do in Central Park, NYC. Central Park is one of my favorite places in the city, and somewhere I spend so much time.
Attractions. Central Park features 843 acres filled with classic architecture, gorgeous statuary and up to date sports, educational and performance facilities. Besides all of this there is the world famous Central Park Zoo and Wildlife Center and the Children’s Zoo.
I’ll also share a map of NYC’s Central Park with all these attractions, as well as nearby hotels and restaurants. 1. Visit the Loeb Boathouse and paddle along The Lake in Central Park, NYC. Spanning 20 acres, The Lake is one of the highlights of Central Park, and people have been boating here since the 1860s.
