If you are visiting New York City, you must pay a visit to Central Park. Most than just a park, Central Park is an icon. And if you are wondering what to do in Central Park, we’ve got a run down of the top things to do in Central Park.
Central Park in New York City occupies more than 800 acres of Manhattan island. While it may conjure up thoughts that it is what Manhattan looked like before it became populated with skyscrapers, it is actually a carefully planned space.
It was the design of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and only came about as the result of the efforts of thousands of workers that were involved in shifting millions of cartloads of soil to change a swamp into a park that everyone now appreciates.
As a result of this careful planning, Central Park is well thought out. This means that you will find plenty of things to do in Central Park.
There have been different spaces in Central Park that you can enjoy as you take a ramble through one of the most iconic places in New York City and maybe even the world.
Here’s what you can do in Central Park, New York City.
Things to Do in Central Park: Attractions, Activities and Sights
Central Park stretches from 59th Street in the south all the way up to 110th street in the north. Its borders on the east and west are Central Park West and Fifth Avenue.
Central Park is huge. Here are some of things to do in Central Park.
Bethesda Terrace
Bethesda Terrace is one of the most well known places within Central Park. It is a large plaza with two levels along with an arcade designed by Calvert Vaux and his assistant Jacob Wrey Mould.
The Bethesda Terrace Arcade is the arched, interior walkway. It was designed by Jacob Wrey Mould and created in the 1860s. When you pay a visit to the Bethesda Terrace Arcade, be sure to look up at the ceiling. The stunning tiled ceiling has more than 15,000 colorful, patterned encaustic tiles from England’s famous Minton Tile Company.
The centerpiece of this Central Park location is the Bethesda Fountain at 72nd Street. The focal point of the Bethesda Fountain is the sculpture Angel of the Waters.
It is a very popular meeting point for New Yorkers. You will also find many people simply staking out the spot for people watching.
Mall & Literary Walk
South of Bethesda Terrace is the Mall. This broad avenue is lined with mature North American elms. Park benches act as inviting spots to have a rest and simply soak in the atmosphere of this tree-lined promenade.
The Mall has appeared in countless films. You can find it in movies like Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Kramer vs Kramer.
At the southern end of the Mall is Literary Walk. You will find many statues of writers at Literary Walk. These were added in the 19th century.
The Mall along with Bethesda Terrace were all meant to be social spaces where New Yorkers could come out and interact with each other, enjoying nature.
Strawberry Fields
On the west side of Central Park is Strawberry Fields. This tear-shaped garden is a memorial to John Lennon. The former Beatle lived across the street in the Dakota Building. Sadly, he was murdered on the 72 Street entrance to the Dakota in the evening of 8 December 1980.
What some may not know is that John Lennon’s ashes were scattered in Central Park, within sight of his apartment.
Strawberry Fields is a popular spot for visitors to Central Park. A grove of elm trees provide a solemn aura to the garden. A tiled mosaic there says “Imagine” and is a place of pilgrimage for Beatles fans.
The Ramble & the Lake
North of Bethesda Terrace is The Lake and The Ramble.
The Ramble is a heavily wooded area that is popular with birdwatchers (in the middle of New York City!) Birdwatchers flock here to can catch a glimpse of some of the approximately 230 species found in the woods.
This leafy 36-acre part of Central Park has paths that criss cross it as well as rocky outcrops that will make you feel as if you are lost in the wilderness. Species found in the woods include American trees such as the American sycamore, several oaks, the Kentucky coffee tree, the Hackberry, the Yellowwood, and the Cucumber Magnolia.
It is a great place to get a bit of peace and quiet in the bustle of the big city.
Adjacent to The Ramble is the Lake. If you are heading to Bethesda Terrace from The Ramble or vice versa, you can cross over the Lake using the picturesque Bow Bridge.
The 60-foot bridge spans the Central Park Lake from Cherry Hill on the southside to the Ramble on the northern side of the lake. By the way, Cherry Hill is named after the cherry blossom trees here that bloom in springtime.
The Bow Bridge is in the middle of the park at 74th Street.
Bow Bridge has found its way into plenty of movies as well. You can get nice views of the Lake from the pedestrian bridge. It is a beautiful spot to take amazing pictures with the lake and New York City’s skyscrapers in the distance.
Another popular activity when the weather is suitable is to go rowing on the Lake. Boats can be rented from the Central Park Boathouse at the northeastern corner of the Lake.
Take note of the following boat rental hours:
- 10 am to Dusk, seven days a week, weather permitting.
Another thing that you can do close to the Central Park Boathouse is to go to the Boathouse Café. It is a popular place for lakeside dining.
The boathouse is New York City’s only lakefront venue. It has appeared in several big Hollywood films, including “When Harry Met Sally” and the 1962 political thriller “The Manchurian Candidate.”
The Great Lawn
At the heart of Central Park is the the Great Lawn. This huge green space, where you will find people just enjoying the outdoors, is bounded by two roads: the 79th Street Transverse and the 86th Street Transverse.
All around the Great Lawn are ball parks where the more active New Yorkers can enjoy sports.
History buffs or historical musical buffs can find a monument to Alexander Hamilton to the east of the Great Lawn, behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
An interesting fact is that the Great Lawn was not in the original plan of Central Park. The space was instead meant to be occupied by the rectangular Croton Reservoir, constructed in 1842. However, the reservoir became obsolete and it was turned into the oval field that we now know as the Great Lawn.
The Great Lawn has seen its share of famous concerts. It has been the site for concerts by artists such as Simon & Garfunkel, Diana Ross, Bon Jovi and Garth Brooks.
To the west of the Great Lawn is Summit Rcok. This is the highest natural elevation in the Park. It stands at a height of 141.8 feet. From Summit Rock, you can get lovely views of the greenery and paths. It is said that on a clear day, you can see as far as New Jersey.
Summit Rock is located at Central Park West and 83rd Street, Summit Rock was the site of Seneca Village in the 19th century.
Seneca Village was a settlement of African American landowners in 1825. In 1857, in a sad part of the history of Central Park, the villagers were forced to leave Seneca Village and their houses were torn down for the construction of Central Park.
South of the Great Lawn is the Belvedere Castle. This stately looking building is a Victorian folly that offers scenic views of Central Park from the top. You can get a view of the neighboring Turtle Pond (which has a lot of turtles).
Kids will get a kick out of visiting a castle in the middle of Central Park.
Belvedere Castle was designed to add to the scenic landscape of Central Park.
The Henry Luce Nature Observatory is located inside of Belvedere Castle. It is an educational site that teaches visitors about nature and wildlife in Central Park. The attraction is free and it is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.
Along with the exhibition rooms, which include papier mâché replicas of the birds of Central Park on the second floor, you will also find one of Central Park’s visitor centers inside Belvedere Castle.
Another thing to do in Central Park during the right time of the year is to head to Delacorte Theater. Summertime is the best time for visiting this outdoor performing arts theater as you may be able to view one of the free performances of Shakespeare in the Park.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
For some stunning views, head over to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. Once a source of drinking water for the city, it now a giant reflecting pool of the city skyline and the trees that bloom in season.
You will find plenty of locals jogging around the water body along with tourists busy capturing memories with their cameras.
You can go for a walk or run around the 1.58 mile track to completely soak in the magic of this Central Park attraction.
Families may wish to note there are some playground around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. On the west side is the Safari Playground with a family of hippo statues that kids can get upclose to.
On the east side of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is the Margaret L. Kempner Playground. It is nicely shaded and has play structures like open ended play logs for both older and younger kids. There are picnic tables too if you are planning to pack a lunch.
Conservatory Garden
Up at the northern section of Central Park, close to East 105th Street, you will find the Conservatory Garden.
This is a six acre formal garden. It is the only formal garden in Central Park. It is also one of Central Park’s quiet zones so you won’t find runners, cyclists and buskers here.
The Conservatory Garden is made up of three sections. These are designed in the English, French and Italian styles and each section has its own fountain.
With the crabapple trees planted at the Conservatory Garden, pay it a visit in sprng to enjoy the multitude of flowers.
Central Park Zoo
If you have small kids and like to “move it move it”, you might want to move it over to the Central Park Zoo at the south east corner of the park.
Made famous by the movie Madagascar, the Central Park Zoo is a small zoo with penguins and sea lions. Sorry, no lions here. But you may be able to view a red panda or snow leopards instead.
You can visit the different exhibits such as the Tropics exhibit, and stop at interactive stations to learn about the animals from the zoo’s staff.
Central Park Zoo also a petting zoo section that makes it great for small kids.
At the Tisch Children’s Zoo, as the petting zoo is called, children can get up close to the animals and even feed the animals.
Just north of the Tisch Children’s Zoo is the Balto Statue, which commemorates the heroic sled dog that helped to save lives in Alaska.
Central Park Carousel
Each year, around 250,000 people ride the Central Park Carousel at the southern end of the park.
The first carousel opened in 1871 and the attraction stayed in operation till 1924. Amazingly, the first carousel was operated by a mule and a horse. They walked in an underground chamber below the carousel.
The current carousel features 57 hand-crafted horses and was crafted in 1908, making it more than 100 years old. It is popular with both kids and adults.
The Central Park Carousel can be found mid-park at 65th Street. It is open seven days a week when weather permits. Each ride lasts for three-and-a-half minutes.
Conservatory Water
Found on the east side of Central Park at 74th Street, Conservatory Water is an ornamental pond where both adults and children can experience sailing a model sail boat.
The boating season runs from April till October each year. Head over to Kerbs Boathouse that provides the rental of the model boats. It also has a small cafe with an outdoor patio.
Here’s an additional tip: in the winter, the Conservatory Water pond occasionally opens up for ice skating.
Sheep Meadow
Open from May to Mid-October, Sheep Meadow is a haven for relaxation and recreation in Central Park.
The 15-acre field gets its name because it was literally a meadow for sheep in the 1860s. Before that, it was conceived to be a parade ground for military drills!
In the present day, you will find families and friends at the Sheep Meadow having a picnic, flying kites, playing frisbee, or simply lounging about.
During the summer months, it can have up to 30,000 people per day.
The Sheep Meadow is found at around 66th Street.
What to Do at Central Park: Bike Tours
If you haven’t figured out by now, Central Park is big!
One way to explore and see more of Central Park is to go on a bike tour.
This can be a great way to experience Central Park and see more of its 840 acres while still being able to walk at the end of the day. However, do take note that if you are planning to go all over Central Park, there are parts that can be rather hilly.
Generally speaking, the northern section of Central Park is hillier than the southern part.
If you are looking to rent a bike to explore Central Park, here are a few options:
- Just one block south of Central Park is Central Park Bike Tours. You can not only rent a bike but join a tour led by a certified and professional tour guide. Expect to cover around 5 miles on the bike tour. It can be good way to discover some of the most famous attractions in Central Park, including the Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, the Literary Walk and the Reservoir.
- Toga Bikes is another option where you can rent bikes to explore Central Park.
- Citi Bike is New York City’s bike share service. You can get access to a bike from a self-service dock and go riding around Central Park.
What to Do in Central Park in the Summer
During the warmer months of the year, Central Park becomes the venue for plenty of outdoor activities.
Two of the most popular activities to do in the summer months are Shakespeare in the Park and SummerStage.
Shakespeare in the Park is run by Public Theatre. This is a free program that takes place at The Delacorte stage over multiple weeks. You can get a free ticket to Shakespeare in the Park at in-person distribution points in Central Park and the boroughs. Visit the Public Theatre website for details.
For more pop culture type entertainment, look out for the schedule for SummerStage. Celebrate in style with music across genres like salsa, jazz, indie-rock, country, bhangra, afrobeats, opera, and much more.
Known as Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage, this is one of New York’s most beloved, broadly accessible, free outdoor performing arts festivals.
SummerStage presents nearly 80 free and benefit performances in Central Park and neighborhood parks throughout the five boroughs each year. Head down to SummerStage to watch a legendary performer or discover a new artist.
Central Park Playgrounds
Central Park is home to numerous children’s playgrounds. Can you guess how many?
21! There are 21 children’s playgrounds in Central Park!
If families are wondering what to do in Central Park, it will take the entire day just to visit all the playgrounds in Central Park, if you can even do so.
Here are some of our favorite Central Park playgrounds.
The Ancient Playground is an Egyptian themed playground that is inspired by the Egyptian wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is located on the east side of the park along 5th Avenue, near the Met, at 85th Street.
Amongst the play equipment at the Ancient Playground are stone pyramids, tunnels and treehouse-like wooden forts. These are best suited for the older kids. Younger children will enjoy a sandbox with a mini obelisk in the center and nine slides. In the summer, there are two user-activated water features.
Adventure Playground can be found on the west side at 67th Street. It is one of the most popular playgrounds in Central Park.
Adventure Playground has a fortress, a maze, a wooden pyramid, tunnels, and slides. There are sand areas too. In the warmer months, there is an elaborate water feature. No wonder it is so popular with families and children. The only thing that is lacking at Adventure Playground are restrooms.
The Tarr-Coyne Wild West Playground at 93rd Street just off Central Park West is a western themed playground. You will find a large sand area with sand tables along with wooden play structures. There are also swings at the Tarr-Coyne Wild West Playground.
Mariners Playground is a nautically themed playground is located off of Central Park West at 85th Street, just north of Summit Rock, near the Park’s Mariners’ Gate entrance.
It offers a variety of play experiences for younger children. Amongst the play features at this playground, also known as the Toll Family Playground, are three play structures with steering wheels, decks, slides, and ladders.
There are also sea horse spring rockers, a large, enclosed sandbox, and a wooden boat platform that sways back and forth.
Sculptures in Central Park
Central Park is home to many famous sculptures and statues.
Amongst the famous statues in Central Park is the Alice in Wonderland sculpture. The large bronze sculpture can be found in a terrace at the northern end of Conservatory Water.
The sculpture features Alice and her kitten, Dinah, sit atop a giant mushroom, surrounded by her Wonderland friends.
Another famous sculpture is that of Hans Christian Andersen, located on the east side at 74th Street.
You can’t forget the Balto statue too! It is a popular spot for photo-taking especially with kids and pets!
So Many Things to Do in Central Park
There is so much to see and do at Central Park. It can take more than a day to cover all the sights and attractions at Central Park. These are just some of the highlights. We have you have a great time exploring this iconic part of New York City.
If you enjoyed this story, you may also enjoy this one on the Museum of Arts and Design.
