No trip to New York City should be considered complete without taking some time to visit the lushest corner of the concrete jungle. Since its completion in 1876, Central Park has been a haven for New Yorkers and tourists alike. A stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the urban metropolis it sits within, Central Park is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. Since living in Manhattan, I’ve been lucky enough to be across the street from Central Park and lovingly refer to it as my backyard. Easily my favorite part of the city, in this blog post I’ll break down how to tackle exploring the vast 843 acres, and help you make the right choices when planning a visit.
Try to do Everything in One Day...
Central Park is huge. No seriously, it’s huge. It took me months to fully explore every path in the park. Whether you’re biking, walking, blading, or scooting, you’d be hard-pressed to see everything in one day. If you were to attempt to tackle the entirety of Central Park in one day, not only will you leave exhausted, questioning what life choices led you down this path, you’ll likely be unable to enjoy the rest of New York. Trying to do everything in one day goes against everything the park stands for, so don’t try!
...Enjoy the Journey.
Instead of trying to do everything, focus on exploring. Central Park is the rare place in the city that never sleeps where you can take a moment to catch your breath. While the rest of Manhattan is often a constant rush of adrenaline, the park begs you to slow down. Take in the sights, wander around and enjoy the journey. Going into the park without a plan, with no real idea of what you’ll end up seeing or how you’ll get there is one of the best experiences you can have and allows you to freely explore. By doing this you’ll stumble upon things left out of must do lists (this blog included) that really make Central Park so special. Instead of trying to cram everything into one visit, pick an area to start in with some attractions in mind of things you’d like to see and set off on your adventure.
Take a Carriage-Horse...
Many images come to mind when asked about Central Park. Some may think about the rolling green pastures of the Great Lawn and Sheep Meadows, with the steel and concrete monoliths of midtown in the background. Others may imagine beautiful water features such as the Lake from the Bow Bridge or the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. However, some undoubtedly may romanticize about being pulled in a horse drawn carriage. I’m here to tell you, if you’re planning on visiting Central Park, forget about the rom-com you saw this in and skip the ride.
...Rent a Bike
Rather than spending an absorbent amount of money on a short ride through the park, opt to get around like the locals: take a bike! Arguably the best way to transverse Central Park, bikes offer an incredibly fun and scenic way to experience the park. Central Park is extremely bike friendly, with bike paths connecting many of the most popular attractions. Cars have been banned inside the park since 2018, so biking is also incredibly safe. Citi bike stations are easily accessible pretty much anywhere along the edge of the park and only costs $3.99 for the first 30 minutes. You can also find longer bike rentals on the southern edge of the park.
To bike the full Central Park loop will generally take about 45 minutes to an hour, which is about 6 miles in total. However, I advise taking your time and docking your bike frequently to see the landmarks on your list, before picking the bike back up and continuing through the park.
Stay at the South End...
Central Park is split into three main sections: the North End, Mid-Park, and the South End. Given its proximity to Midtown and being a few blocks north of Times Square, it should be no surprise that the South End is the most visited section of the park by out-of -town visitors. Boasting amazing sites like the iconic Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, the Central Park Mall, the Sheep Meadow, and the Central Park Zoo, there is plenty to see! However, when visiting the park, be sure to venture further north to see the entire park.
...Explore the Entire Park.
The further north you go, the more the park begins to open up its natural beauty. Directly across from Bethesda Fountain, you can take the famous Bow Bridge across the Lake and head into the Ramble. Boasting some of the best birding in the park, this section is one of three real woodland areas in the park. As you enter the woods, you slowly lose sense of the city around you. Soon the cacophony of city ambience transforms into a symphony of songbirds and chattering squirrels. Some sections of the Ramble are so dense it’s easy to get turned around. Truthfully, the first time I entered this section of the park I was so disoriented, I ended up back on the west side of the park thinking it was the east side!
Continuing north you can find amazing sites like Belvedere Castle, which overlooks the Turtle Pond and the Great Lawn and Cleopatra’s Needle, located just west of the Met. This ancient Egyptian obelisk from the 15th-century BC is easily one of the most unique attractions in the park.
Further north still, you can walk around the reservoir, wander through the North Woods and find yourself immersed in the formal Conservatory Garden. One of the most tranquil sites in the park, the Conservatory Garden is a formal garden that is split in its design, with one side offering a traditional English garden experience, while the other has a remarkable French influence.
Turn to Food Carts for Food...
When visiting the park, you may be tempted to get a quick bite from one of the nearest food carts stationed throughout the park. Depending on what part of the park you’re in, these carts are often expensive, hoping to capitalize on hungry guests and tourists. While I love NYC street food as much as the next New Yorker, I advise you save your appetite for something a little more enticing and worth your money.
...Eat at Tavern on the Green.
Instead of buying some boiled meats, I suggest splurging on an experience at the Tavern on the Green. Originally built to house the sheep which grazed in the aforementioned Sheep Meadow, the Tavern on the Green is an iconic New York restaurant. Nestled on the edge of the park at West 66th Street, Tavern on the Green offers both indoor and outdoor dining, weather permitted. Obviously, New York is known for its food and Tavern on the Green is no slouch, offering amazing lunch and dinner fare and creative cocktails, all served with an unparalleled dining ambiance.
While unquestionably expensive, carving out the time to enjoy the Tavern on the Green should not be skipped. You’re in New York after all, live a little! If you plan on visiting, try to make a reservation in advance.
Editor’s Note: (If you’re balling on a budget, another great option is to have a picnic in the park. Just stay away from the food carts.)
Come Only in the Summer…
Listen, I’ll be the first to tell you NYC summers are not for everyone. The heat can be oppressive. The smells can be nauseating. That said, I love summer in the city and I’m obviously not alone. Summertime in NYC is the most popular time to visit and Central Park is wonderful this time of year. On any given day you’re likely to find friends enjoying some drinks in the park, parents pushing their children in strollers, dogs chasing after their toys, high school sport games, or maybe even some organized medieval knights beating each other with blunted weapons (seriously, this happens).
In the summer you can attend music events on the Great Lawn or watch Shakespeare in the park at Delacorte Theater. One of my favorite activities is playing softball in the shadow of the midtown’s towering skyscrapers. Musicians can be found under every bridge and if you’re out until dusk you’ll enjoy fireflies dancing around the light posts. Summer is when Central Park is most alive, but sometimes that means it feels like you’re sharing it with all of New York at the same time.
...Visit in Every Season.
Central Park can feel a little less chaotic during the other seasons, especially when visiting the most popular areas of the park. There really is no wrong time to visit. Each season offers a unique visit, all of which deserve to be experienced.
In the fall you have the beautiful crisp mornings, surrounded by picturesque fall foliage. As the leaves start to fall, the once dense woods begin to reveal the buildings that have always been hidden behind the trees.
Fall breaks way to winter, which is arguably when Central Park is most beautiful. By this point you can see clearly from one side of the park to the other. After a heavy snowfall the park is especially picturesque. You will find impressively large snowmen, frolicking school children acting out the scenes from Elf or Home Alone 2, and sledders bombing down compacted ice slopes. Currently under renovation, you can usually find people ice skating at Lasker Rink near the northern edge of the park.
Spring breathes new life into the park. Soon the woods erupt with new greenery. The flowers in the Conservatory Garden and the cherry trees surrounding the reservoir begin to bloom. Songbirds usher in the new season through song. Spring brings summer and the cycle begins anew.
Having the privilege of living next to Central Park, I can’t emphasize enough how amazing the park truly is to visit. So please, next time you’re in New York, remember to make the time to explore the best part of the big apple.
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