Central Park

Central Park: A beautiful 874 acre haven from the hustle and bustle of New York City

A screened view of Manhattan's highrises from Central Park
A screened view of Manhattan's highrises from Central Park

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: no

Central 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 4.8 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating Central Park in winter is like stepping into a snowy fairy tale. Sure, the trees might be bare and the ground covered in snow, but there’s a magic in the air that’s hard to resist. First off, the snow! It blankets everything in sight, turning the park into a winter wonderland. It's like a scene straight out of a holiday movie. But if you’re more into low-key vibes, a stroll through the park is just as awesome. The trees might be bare, but there’s something serene about it. Plus, you might even spot some wildlife doing their thing in the snow. Central Park in winter might not have the greenery of summer, but it’s got its own charm that’s totally worth experiencing. Trust me, you won’t regret bundling up and exploring this winter wonderland.
Nook Hanklang - in the last week

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5 Star Rating If you need a space to admire nature and spend some time disconnected. It has a beautiful view surrounded by emblematic skyscrapers. This is an ideal space to visit alone or with family. You will fall in love with Central Park, the most famous and beautiful I have ever known. I recommend it 100%.
Ladagoval - 3 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating We saw only a small area of Central Park but we had a nice peaceful walk. Nice change of pace after walking through Manhattan. It's currently February but I can't wait until summer time to come back.
Mark Leach - a week ago

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5 Star Rating On a short visit to New York and could have easily spent the week in the park! It really was different everyday and so much to see. On a Sunday it was jam packed with runners and cyclists, a lot calmer rest of week. There were always squirrels, very cute squirrels! A beautiful calm relaxing space to spend time. Lots of dog walkers ( all the dogs seemed really well behaved too!) Plenty of carts to buy snacks to keep you going and lots of different trails to try. If you have the time, the Met is on the edge of the park and Central Park Zoo is in it too.
Nicola Downey - a week ago

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5 Star Rating Very popular spot. Very nice for children with the huge playground. The lake and ducks are very cute. The view is magical in the center of the city. One of the best attraction. There is ice skating during winter.
Bilge Goksel - a month ago

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Directions

Subway Line Nearest Station Walking Time
N, Q or R (South End)59th Street5 minutes
1 or 2 (South End)Columbus Circle5 minutes
A, B or C (Mid Park)American Museum of Natural History station or 86th Street2 minutes
A, B, or C (North End)96th Street, 103rd Street or 110th Street2 minutes
2 or 3 (North End)110th Street5 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.

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