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
Central Park is an absolute must-visit when in New York City. It’s a peaceful escape right in the middle of the bustle, offering something for everyone—beautiful walking paths, lakes, bridges, and open lawns perfect for relaxing or people-watching. The mix of nature and city views is unforgettable, especially near Bow Bridge or Bethesda Terrace. Whether you’re walking, biking, or just sitting with a coffee, it’s one of the best ways to experience the heart of Manhattan.
Traveling Kafka - in the last week
The most magical and surprising place in New York City. So much to explore and discover. We visited during a weekend anniversary trip and truly enjoyed it. Perfect spot to spend a Sunday morning after breakfast. Beautiful park!
Jaime Velez - 2 weeks ago
This is my favorite thing about New York City. It’s hard to believe that just a few steps into Central Park and you can transition from being in a massive concrete city to a peaceful forest with lakes and parks. So many things to see here. If you’re short on time and want to explore as much as you can (and don’t mind paying) of this 800 acre beauty would recommend taking a ride with an electric rickshaw guide (Abdul took us around and showed us videos or photos of popular movies/tv shows shot here) or just rent a bike to see as much as you can yourself!
Subuhi Kaul - a week ago
A piece of heaven. You won’t get tired even if you spend the whole day there. Lots of people doing different things from biking to sailing to simply enjoying the weather sitting still under NYC beautiful sky 🌌 I LOVE this place.
Mehri Mohebbi - 2 weeks 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 -
Photo Credit: pom'. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Bradley N. Weber - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: joiseyshowaa - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Marcela McGreal - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: John Cunniff - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Marcela McGreal - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: John St John Photography - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Maëlick - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Janne Räkköläinen - cc license via Flickr
