Central Park
Central Park: A beautiful 874 acre haven from the hustle and bustle of New York City
Located in the center of Manhattan, Central Park provides a pastoral refuge from the chaos and noise of New York City. Recognised as a National Historic Landmark in 1963, Central Park is the most visited park in the country. Covering over 874 acres, Central Park offers a near endless array of activities for natives and newcomers alike.
While an extensive network of trails perfect for running or hiking, Central Park also offers numerous recreational opportunities, including tennis courts, skating rinks, swimming pools, baseball fields, horseback riding, fishing and boat rentals. Birdwatchers will want to explore "The Ramble", a wooded section of the park where many species of woodland birds can be spotted in the spring and fall. Nature lovers will enjoy exploring the Conservatory Gardens, the Park's first formal garden and Turtle Pond which attracts migratory birds and several species of turtle.
Central Park also hosts a number of cultural festivals and a summer concert series on the Great Lawn featuring popular and classical music. A beloved summer tradition, The Public Theater holds its critically acclaimed Shakespeare in the Park series at the Delacorte Theatre with eight weeks of free performances.
Young children will enjoy a visit to Central Park every bit as much as adults, especially the Central Park Carousel, which is one of the largest merry-go-rounds in the United States, the petting zoo at the Tisch Children's Zoo at the Central Park Wildlife Center and the Marionette Theatre at the Swedish Cottage. For a less structured approach, visit the Alice in Wonderland and Ugly Ducking statues, sail model boats at Conservatory Waters or simply enjoy the 21 playgrounds scattered throughout the Park.
The Central Park Conservatory also offers a variety of free guided interpretive walking tours, if exploring the park on your own seems overwhelming. These free tours run throughout the year except in extreme weather. You can check out the calendar on the official site to see what tours are happening on any given day. Bicycle rentals, horse-drawn carriages and pedi-cabs offer good alternatives to walking to explore sites throughout the park. iPhone users can download the Central Park Conservatory app for suggested itineraries and photography sites.
Nearby attractions: Central Park Wildlife Center, American Museum of Natural History, The Met and the Cloisters, Whitney Museum of American Art, Metropolitan Opera, The Frick Collection and Carnegie Hall
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: noCentral Park Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
- Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
- Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
- Thursday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
- Friday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
- Saturday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
- Sunday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Address: New York, NY, USA
Phone: (212) 310-6600
Official Website: Central Park
Central Park Reviews
Rated out of 5
Said to be new yorkers green lung and Sunday park stroll place - and it sure was. Nice to see the cherry blossoms, very pretty. The various attractions within the park makes it all interesting, but way too much walking like me.
Chak Hong - in the last week
What an amazing park. When you are walking through it you forget you are in the middle of a city! There are beautiful waterfalls, the wildlife there is so cute. It’s great to take a walk around the resivor on a nice day. If you have the time and in the area take a couple hours and just walk around Central Park!
Kat Meow - in the last week
After comic con we decide to head over to Central Park and play some catch with the football. It was such an amazing day for walking and just being outside. The kids had a blast and so did the adults enjoying nature in the city. Coming from Florida and seeing the city it was also nice to see some greenery!! The Park has a lot to offer and you can explore in multiple days.
Patrick Kelly - a week ago
Our day at Central Park was simply delightful! It's such a family-friendly place, perfect for a leisurely stroll. We all enjoyed taking in the beautiful surroundings, especially with spring in full bloom – those cherry blossoms were breathtaking!
Highlight of our visit? Definitely the 20-minute carriage ride we took. Our guide was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, sharing fascinating bits of Central Park's history and fun facts along the way.
Whether you're a local or a visitor, Central Park offers something for everyone. It's the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, and we can't wait to go back!
Kenny L - in the last week
Perfect! Nothing more to say with those lovely pictures of Central park! It is a huge forest / park in the middle of the city! Smoking free and lots of fun to do you can think of. Picnic, walking / running, biking, playing games with friends, just sitting and observing the nature itself. There is even a castle there inside the park. Love it !
Selen Demir - a week ago
Directions
| Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| N, Q or R (South End) | 59th Street | 5 minutes |
| 1 or 2 (South End) | Columbus Circle | 5 minutes |
| A, B or C (Mid Park) | American Museum of Natural History station or 86th Street | 2 minutes |
| A, B, or C (North End) | 96th Street, 103rd Street or 110th Street | 2 minutes |
| 2 or 3 (North End) | 110th Street | 5 minutes |
How to get to Central Park by Subway
For the southern end of the Park, take the N, Q or R train to 59th Street or the 1 or 2 train to Columbus Circle and enter the Park from 59th Street. For the middle of the park, take the A, B or C train to the American Museum of Natural History or 86th Street and enter the park from Central Park West. For the northern end of the park, take the A, B, or C train to 96th Street, 103rd Street or 110th Street and enter the park from Central Park West or take the 2 or 3 train to 110th Street, head southwest on Lenox Ave (Malcolm X Blvd) into the park.
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
Accommodations near Central Park:
Photo Gallery
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A tree frames one of the many unique bridges in Central Park cc licensed photo by Trodel -
Central Park provides a wonderful oasis within Manhattan cc licensed photo by Evelyn Proimos
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