The BEST Things to See in Central Park
Like so many of New York’s landmark attractions, Central Park is known across the world. Invariably, its the public park to which those in cities all over the globe are compared. While its not even the largest park in New York City, the central location of this over 300 hectare space makes this picturesque destination the official lung of greenery in the Big Apple. You can easily spend a whole day in Central Park. If you’ve only got a few hours to spare, that’s enough time to see the highlights as well. Visiting the Park is always one of my personal favourite things to do in New York. In this post, I’ll take you on a tour its southern half (its where most of the notable sights are located) so that you can plan your own route through this verdant urban escape.
By the way, did you know that Central Park is bigger than Monaco? Get those walking shoes on!
- With so much to do in New York City, it can be hard to keep track of it all. If you’re heading to the city for a few days, my recommended itinerary post will help you. Check it out HERE.
Central Park – The Basics
- Where? Central Park is just north of Midtown Manhattan. It spans all the way from 56th to 110th Street between Fifth Avenue and Eighth Avenue (Central Park West).
- When? The Park is officially open from 6.00am to 1.00am daily. Generally you want to visit during daylight hours.
- Admission: As a public park, admission is free to all.
- Website: https://www.centralpark.com/
A Bit of Background to Central Park
Central Park may provide an escape into nature within Manhattan’s concrete jungle, but make no mistake about it, the creation of the park involved a huge amount of urban planning and labour. Back in the 19th century, Central Park’s land was filled with pig farms and a garbage dump – a far cry from the incredibly scenic outdoor space that fills its many hectares today. As Manhattan grew rapidly in this time, the population was is desperate need of a recreational space for outdoor activities. New York had been planned out to a tee on the grid system, but there had been no consideration of park space in those plans.
With the site of today’s Central Park chosen by the local authorities to meet the demand, nearly 34,000 lots were cleared out. Approximately 1,600 residents were evicted and communities such as Pigtown and Seneca Village were demolished. The mass transformation campaign commenced in 1858, and lasted some 20 years. Over 20,000 labourers worked on the project as the terrain was converted into the Central Park we know today.
Central Park’s layout was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It included the large fields, wooded areas, water bodies and roads traversing underneath that the iconic Park is now known for. Nowadays, Central Park sees over 42 million visitors annually – I’d say the project was a success!
How to Get Around Central Park
So, Central Park is big. Like REALLY big! I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve never made it all the way to park’s north end. To get the most out of the park, you don’t really need to either. The southern edge of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir basically cleaves the park into two, at 86th Street. Considering the park begins at 59th Street, that’s a solid distance of over 25 Manhattan blocks you’ll cover just getting halfway into Central Park from Midtown.
Needless to say, you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Its definitely the best way to see the park. You can take your time, relax on benches and take in the surroundings while exploring. While you should plan out a route that covers the main sights (don’t worry, I’ve got you covered), you don’t have to stick rigidly to it, wandering about as you desire. Another way to see the park is to book a Horse & Carriage Ride, though you will obviously be sticking to the main paved areas. Its also very costly, with 30 minutes setting you back $120.00 USD per carriage. You can also rent bicycles, though you won’t be allowed to ride along pedestrian pathways.
How Long Should I Allow for Central Park?
For a first time visitor to New York, I suggest allowing around 2 to 3 hours for Central Park. You’ll be able to cover all the places mentioned in this post within that time without feeling rushed. Bear in mind however that some of New York’s best Museums (such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History) are located within or just beyond the park’s boundaries. I haven’t covered them in this post, but if you want to one of them, you’ll need to set at least a few more hours aside. Personally I like to combine a visit the Met around lunchtime after a morning in Central Park, and the path I propose below will leave you in a perfect spot to do just that.
A Guided Walk Through the Highlights of Central Park
If you’re wanting to see the highlights of Central Park in a reasonably efficient manner, I’ve put together a recommended path to tackle Central Park. Most visitors will be coming up from Midtown, so you’ll be starting at the park’s southern edge. While there’s quite a few entry points, I recommend starting your tour in the park’s south-eastern corner. Known as Grand Army Plaza, its marked by a bronze sculpture called the Sherman Memorial. The monument depicts Union Army General William Tecumseh Sherman on horseback, alongside an allegorical figure of Victory. In the finer details, Sherman’s horse is trampling a Georgia Pine Branch, making it clear that this statue is all about the victory of the Union over the Confederated States in the American Civil War.
Central Park Zoo
- Where? East 64th Street, New York
- When? 10.00am to 5.00pm daily (open until 5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday). Hours are shorter during the winter months.
- How much? Admission for adults (13 years and over) is $19.95 USD.
- Website: https://centralparkzoo.com/
Central Park Zoo is relatively small, but I think its worth checking out on your first visit to Central Park. Sure, if you go in expecting the massive zoos you’ll find in many major cities around the world you’ll be disappointed (if thats what you’re after, the Bronx Zoo is your best option in New York), but go in with tempered expectations and I think you’ll enjoy it. For a small zoo, there’s a surprising amount of diversity in species here – ranging from penguins, snow leopards, red pandas and grizzly bears. I particularly enjoyed seeing the incredibly active sea lions in the tank in the centre of the zoo.
You can book your entry tickets on the zoo’s website to avoid having to line up separately on arrival. Once inside, you’ll be able to see the whole of the zoo in about an hour. Considering how much there is to see in New York, I feel thats a decent way to get your fix of animal watching on a trip to the Big Apple. As you leave the zoo, don’t miss the Delacorte Clock outside, which features various animal pieces that circle the clock to familiar tunes on the half hour.
- You can read more about Central Park Zoo in my post HERE.
Gapstow Bridge
Backtracking slightly from the Zoo’s entrance, if you head slightly west you’ll come to Gapstow Bridge. Standing above the Pond, this is one of the most picturesque bridges in all of the park. Its also one of Central Park’s original 27 bridges (of which 24 still stand today), and was designed by Calvert Vaux. I’m sure you’ll take plenty of photos while hanging around the Pond before continuing deeper into Central Park. Its a really scenic area.
When you’re ready to continue, you’ll want to head north (follow the crowds) to the next destination. Along the way you’ll pass the Wollman Ice Skating Rink (or the Victoria Gardens Amusement Park in the summer months).
The Mall
The Mall is Central Park’s main thoroughfare. Lined on both sides by massive American Elm Trees, this wide pathway is often filled with artists, souvenir vendors and street buskers. Its an iconic spot that you’ll definitely recognise from films, and is probably one of the most photographed spots in all of New York City. Believe it or not, its also the only straight path in all of Central Park!
One of the coolest parts of the Mall is the Literary Walk. Along the southern stretch of the promenade, you’ll find a collection of six statues, depicting some of the greatest authors in literary history. Think names like Fitz Green-Helleck and Robert Burns. The Literary Walk dates back to 1872, when a committee of actors and theatre managers erected its first statue, that of William Shakespeare himself.
Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
Follow the Mall all the way to its northern end, and you’ll reach Bethesda Terrace. This is the site of the Bethesda Fountain, known for being one of largest fountains in New York. With the Angel of the Waters perched above, the fountain was created by sculptor Emma Stebbins in 1868 and today is a favourite gathering spot for New Yorkers and visitors from abroad.
The tunnel you’ll pass through to reach the fountain has also appeared on many a TV or film screen, often as a site for shady deals between shady figures and the like in crime dramas. You’re much more likely to encounter a choir of street buskers on your visit though. Enjoy their performances to their songs before sitting by the fountain and looking out across the lake. Across the water, the Loeb Boathouse is where you can rent row boats to take out onto the water – well worth considering on a nice, sunny day! The food at its restaurant is pretty great too – crab cakes and cocktails anyone?
Bow Bridge and Cherry Hill
Assuming you’ve decided to stick to dry land, you’ll want to follow the path a few minutes west to Cherry Hill. There’s another fountain up here. According to urban legend its THE fountain from the opening of the hit TV show Friends. Its even advertised as such by many tour guides. Spoiler alert: its not the same fountain! But still, stop by and get your photos anyway.
To the north from Cherry Hill is another of Central Park’s beautiful bridges, and this one arguably tops the bunch. Bow Bridge connects across to the northern side of the Lake. It was constructed in 1862 and definitely has something of a classical Victorian design. Don’t cross just yet – otherwise you’ll be doubling back on the way to the next destination. It actually is rather photogenic from a distance anyway! You’ll be able to see its ever so slight slope, which you’ll barely notice when you actually cross.
Strawberry Fields
Heading further west from Cherry Hill is one of my favourite spots in all of Central Park. Strawberry Fields is a tear shaped space of quiet reflection, commemorating and paying tribute to the life of John Lennon of The Beatles. Most people will know that Lennon was murdered near his New York home. The “Imagine” mosaic in Strawberry Fields lies just across the street from where that murder took place. Strawberry Fields was funded by Yoko Ono and takes its name from the Beatles song “Strawberry Fields Forever”.
The Lennon mural in Strawberry Fields is an obvious reference to his famous song “Imagine”. There’s a very high likelihood you’ll witness a busker performing a stirring rendition of the song while you wait to take your photo at the memorial. Strawberry Fields has a different atmosphere to the rest of Central Park. Despite the tragic events that led to Lennon’s death, a sense of positivity and melancholic tranquility can be found by spending some time here before continuing on through the Park.
Belvedere Castle
Heading north to the next stop, you can either walk around the outer perimeter of the Lake, or double back to Cherry Hill and cross Bow Bridge. Doing the latter, you’ll end up in the Ramble, a section of the park filled with narrow, winding paths among forestry, rocks and streams. Its the best place in Central Park to really get the sense of escaping into the wilderness, so I highly recommend passing through here. After getting lost along the way, you’ll reach Belvedere Castle. That’s right – Central Park even has its own little castle. Built in 1869 for decorative purposes, the castle provides views across the park from one of its highest points.
Built in Gothic style, the castle was renovated in the 1980s and today contains a small interpretive centre, providing details on Central Park’s local flora and fauna. If bird-watching is your thing, Belvedere Castle is the place to be, as you can rent Discovery Kits here that provide a guide to all the birdlife you’ll find in the surrounding area.
Heading Further North
Not too far from Belvedere Castle, you’ll come across the Shakespeare Garden and Delacorte Theatre. Shakespeare in the Park shows are a New York tradition in the summertime. Famous actors are even known to take the stage. Similar to the Literary Walk, there’s also a number of sculptures in this section of the Park, this time representing iconic Shakespeare plays.
Going further north, you’ll pass the Great Lawn. Situated right at the centre of the park, this sprawling lawn contains baseball fields and grass to relax on.
Further still, your adventure through Central Park will be interrupted by 86th Street. You can cross it over various bridges to reach the southern boundary of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. By far the largest body of water in Central Park (covering almost an eighth of the entire park, its surrounded by a 2.5 kilometre jogging track. The Reservoir was originally designed to supply New York with clean water in the 19th century. Nowadays, it offers a chance to take in the scenery as skyscraper reflections mirror in the vast waterbody.
Should I Go Further in Central Park?
When you realise how far you’ve walked through Central Park upon reaching the Reservoir, you might be shocked that you’re only halfway through the park. To be honest, I think the Reservoir makes a good point to end your adventure. If you head east you’ll come across the Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you’re enjoying the outdoors and have more time to spend in New York, don’t let that stop you from going further though. As I’ve said, I haven’t been any further north than the Reservoir, but if you do want to venture deeper, points of interest might include the Conservatory Garden (a 2.5 hectare quiet retreat filled with apple trees and flowering gardens) and the Blockhouse (a military fortification dating back to 1812). The northern half of Central Park is less touristy, so you’ll find less people around.
Alternatively, you might decide to double back, heading south along the Park’s eastern edge. Going this way you’ll pass the Conservatory Water (where you can watch people sail model boats) as well as popular statues like Alice in Wonderland and everyone’s favourite dog, Balto.
With so much to see, hopefully this guide has given you an idea of where to spend your time in Central Park. While I feel I’ve covered the main destinations, I’m sure there’s areas of the park that I’ve missed (or haven’t even heard of). If you know of any hidden gems, definitely let me know!