How to visit Central Park for the first time in 2026
View of Billionaires Row skyscrapers from the area near Wollman Rink and Gapstow Bridge. Buy a print of this photo here. All photos by John O’Boyle/ The Empty Nest Explorers
Central Park is a must-see for any traveler to the New York City area. Not only is it a beautiful, sprawling natural space within the bustling city, it’s also full of distinctly New York character, folklore, and quirky history.
But at 843 acres, attempting to see it all in a day is a near impossibility. Oh, you could spend an entire day and night exploring, I suppose, and probably get it all in, but would that be actually enjoyable? Well, it would certainly be exhausting.
As locals to the NYC area who love Central Park and have visited many times, we decided to put together a walking route for the first-time visitor, or the tourist with other “must-sees” on their agenda for the day.
This route can be done in 2-3 hours, depending on your pace. We traverse this route ourselves on many trips to the Park, visiting some of our favorite (and famous) spots while experiencing the overall flavor of this beloved oasis in the busy metropolis of NYC.
Of course, there is much more to see and do than such a tour can cover, and I will outline some of those highlights later in the post, as they are well-known favorites. We also keep this post up-to-date, and have included the latest information for visiting in 2026.
So let’s start with our simple route.
Great walking route for a first-time visit to Central Park
Our walk enters by the Museum of Natural History and ends at 5th Ave. and 59th Street.
We took the subway and got off at the Museum of Natural History stop. Take the C train up Central Park West or the B train when it’s running, weekdays only. (The signs say “Uptown & The Bronx via 8 Av and Central Park West”.)
Ending up at 5th and 59th provides very convenient access to subways, Rockefeller Center and Columbus Circle.
This route will take you south through the heart of the park, passing or stopping at the following points of interest:
Delacorte Theater
The Shakespeare Garden
Belvedere Castle
The Ramble
Bow Bridge
Bethesda Terrace & Bethesda Fountain
The Mall
Billionaire’s Row
Enter on the north side of 81st Street and follow the path slightly to the right toward Delacorte Theater, The Shakespeare Garden, and Belvedere Castle. Central Park generally has good signage, so you’ll know you are going the right way.
Touring Delacorte Theater, The Shakespeare Garden, and Belvedere Castle
You’ll first come to the very recently renovated Delacorte Theater. The striking new exterior facade is covered in reclaimed redwood salvaged from old New York City water towers across all five boroughs. This was part of a two-year, approximately $80 million renovation to make the 1962 era, open-air theater more modern and accessible, as well as more sustainable.
🤫 There are restrooms at this location if you need them. 😉
Of course, Delacorte Theater is probably most well known for its annual productions of Shakespeare in the Park, one of New York City’s most treasured traditions. These summertime productions sometime feature very well-known actors and are extremely popular. The tickets are free, but getting them requires some forethought and a bit of a commitment, but it’s very doable.
The Delacorte Theater is celebrating its Grand Reopening in Summer 2026, so demand for this “homecoming” season, is expected to be at higher than ever; but don’t worry, some new logistics have been put in place to help ease the process.Tickets are distributed on the day of the show, via a few different methods.
See our helpful table below for complete details of how to get tickets for Shakespeare in the Park 2026 Summer Season.
🎭 Shakespeare in the Park — Free Ticket Guide
2026 Season: Romeo & Juliet and A Winter's Tale · Delacorte Theater, Central Park
| Method | Timing | Details |
|---|---|---|
| TodayTix Digital Lottery Best for tourists |
Enter by 12:00 PM | Enter via the TodayTix app anytime between 12:01 AM and 12:00 PM on the day of the show. Results come right after noon — you'll have 30–45 minutes to claim. Turn on phone notifications so you don't miss the window. Pick up tickets at the Delacorte box office between 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM. |
| Classic Delacorte Line | Arrive by 8:30 AM | Head to the Delacorte Theater (enter Central Park at 81st St). Tickets distributed at 12:00 PM. For the 2026 reopening season, aim to arrive by 8:30 AM — bring a blanket and coffee! Lines tend to be shorter early in the run, before reviews come out. |
| Downtown Lottery at The Public Theater | Enter at 11:00 AM | Great if you're already exploring the East Village. Head to The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette St (at Astor Place). Enter your name starting at 11:00 AM; names drawn at noon. If selected, exchange vouchers for tickets at the Delacorte box office between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. |
| Standby Line | Arrive at 6:00 PM | Didn't get tickets? Show up at the Delacorte at 6:00 PM. As showtime approaches, staff often release unclaimed tickets to the standby line. Worth a shot! |
TodayTix Digital Lottery Best for tourists
Enter by 12:00 PMEnter via the TodayTix app anytime between 12:01 AM and 12:00 PM on the day of the show. Results come right after noon — you'll have 30–45 minutes to claim. Turn on phone notifications so you don't miss the window. Pick up tickets at the Delacorte box office between 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
Classic Delacorte Line
Arrive by 8:30 AMHead to the Delacorte Theater (enter Central Park at 81st St). Tickets distributed at 12:00 PM. For the 2026 reopening season, aim to arrive by 8:30 AM — bring a blanket and coffee! Lines tend to be shorter early in the run, before reviews come out.
Downtown Lottery at The Public Theater
Enter at 11:00 AMGreat if you're already exploring the East Village. Head to The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette St (at Astor Place). Enter your name starting at 11:00 AM; names drawn at noon. If selected, exchange vouchers for tickets at the Delacorte box office between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
Standby Line
Arrive at 6:00 PMDidn't get tickets? Show up at the Delacorte at 6:00 PM. As showtime approaches, staff often release unclaimed tickets to the standby line. Worth a shot!
Pro tips
- Your Patron ID is required for every method above. Each person may receive up to two tickets.
- Using TodayTix? Turn on notifications — the claim window is only 30–45 minutes and you don't want to miss it.
- Never buy from third-party sites. These tickets are always free. Resale tickets are almost always scams or invalid.
A path through Shakespeare Garden
Leaving Delacorte behind, you will then pass the Shakespeare Garden. This beautiful English cottage-style garden is densely planted with trees, shrubs, flowers, and herbs that are mentioned in William Shakespeare’s writings. Dispersed among the plantings are bronze plaques with quotes from his plays and poems that reference the plants. It actually predates the theater itself, having been created in 1912 as a place for public school children to study the natural world, before it later became more focused on Shakespeare.
After numerous periods of decline and overgrowth, the Shakespeare Garden in its current form has been restored and is maintained by the Central Park Conservancy.
You could spend quite a bit of time wandering around this four-acre space on its own, but our route will just take you past it. Staying on the path will bring you up the steps to Belvedere Castle.
I have to admit, Belvedere Castle is one of my personal favorite sites in the park. The name Belvedere literally means “beautiful view” in Italian, and that’s what you get from this miniature castle built on an outcrop known as Vista Rock. It’s a great place for a bird’s eye view of some of Central Park’s beautiful landmarks; Delacorte Theater, the Great Lawn, the Turtle Pond and the Ramble. And it also provides a respite from the sun under a sheltered area of the main terrace, which we’ve parked our bikes under many times for a water break and a look out over the Turtle Pond.
The view from Belvedere Castle.
The romantic, Victorian designed castle was originally built as a focal point of interest in the park - a “folly” as they say of such architectural novelties. With its stone facade, turret and flag, it certainly is charming.
One of the most interesting things about Belvedere Castle is its role as New York City's official weather station, a function it has served since 1919. When you hear "the weather in Central Park" on local radio or TV, those readings come from here! The wind speed and direction instruments are mounted on the castle's roof tower (you can spot the anemometer if you look up), while the rest of the equipment (temperature, humidity, rainfall, visibility, etc) sits in a small fenced enclosure just to the south of the castle as you walk down the hill.
(It’s not much to “see” really, so don’t get too excited. But it’s a bit local backstory and I like that sort of thing.)
Fun fact: The only measurement still done by hand? Snowfall! The Central Park Conservancy measures it manually during snowstorms.
For my kindred history nerds, here’s an interesting article about 100 Years of Weather Observations at Belvedere Castle in Central Park.
When the building is open, you can climb up the narrow, winding staircases to additional terraces for an even higher vantage point.
And do sit in one of the lookout turrets for a photo op - a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike. For the avid birder, this elevated view is great for spotting hawks, a number of which live in the park, and water birds and ducks in the Turtle Pond, so tuck your travel binoculars into your bag before you come!
Just a note- the Castle is a good place to pick up a map (there are other locations to get one as well). Definitely pick one up if you see one - The Conservancy distributes a really useful one, with street locations for the different points of interest around the park.
Leaving the castle, continue south into the Ramble.
Visiting the Ramble at Central Park
The Ramble was designed as a “wild garden” and is a maze of meandering trails through dense woodland in the middle of the park. It is a prime location for birdwatching and wildlife viewing, and you will often find walking tour groups and individuals with their binoculars trekking throughout the Ramble.
Many species of plants and trees occupy the space, some native, some not, and it has been an ongoing site of restoration and conservation throughout the years, as The Central Park Conservancy takes steps to properly maintain this woodland.
The best way to experience the Ramble is to just wander about the paths and get lost a little. It is edged by the beautiful 20-acre Central Park Lake and the Turtle Pond, where one can often see ducks, turtles, and herons. It is also prolifically treed and shady, so a good break from the heat. No need to overthink the route - just keep heading south.
Moving south, continue to Bow Bridge.
Crossing the Bow Bridge in Central Park
Bow Bridge
Probably one of the most well-known landmarks of Central Park, Bow Bridge has been featured in many movies and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Many marriage proposals, bridal portraits, engagement photo shoots, and Instagram glamor shots take place on the iconic bow-shaped bridge.
And with good reason - its graceful, arc-shaped, cast iron structure with a lovely walnut walkway that turns a deep red color when wet, easily lends itself to romance. Bow Bridge traverses the Lake, dotted with rented rowboats in the warm months (more on that later), and offers a fantastic view of the Fifth Avenue and Central Park West skyline any time of year. Expect it to be crowded - it always is - but that’s half the fun. So don’t miss it.
After crossing Bow Bridge, take the path to the left toward Bethesda Fountain.
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Touring Bethesda Terrace, the Esplanade and Bethesda Fountain
Bethesda Fountain.
Bethesda Terrace and Fountain are two architectural features at the southern shore of Central Park Lake. The Terrace was one of the first structures built in Central Park, as an intended meeting place for social gatherings, but like so many of Central Park’s architectural marvels, it fell into disrepair and abandonment through rough times in the city, eventually to be saved and restored over time by the Central Park Conservancy.
What stands now in its restored glory is the original two-tiered layout of an upper and lower terrace and fountain, which together form the northern end of the Mall.
If following our walk, you will reach the lower level area, formally known as the Esplanade, a flagstone plaza with stone parapets, plantings, and the Bethesda Fountain as its centerpiece. This is one of the busiest areas of the park, with lots of tourists and locals alike. Street performers show up here, as well as Instagrammers and families looking for a break sitting along the edge of the Fountain or just taking in the view.
The Bethesda Fountain, restored after years of decay and a shady reputation, is on and flowing through most of the warm months - though is sometimes off due to weather or drought restrictions.
Timelapse video of the action at Bethesda Fountain. Press play above to watch.
In the center is a sculpture called The Angel of the Waters, referring to a gospel story about an angel giving healing powers to the Pool of Bethesda. Interestingly, it was the only statue funded by the city in the original design for the park, and the artist was the first woman to receive a public commission for a work of art in NYC. The statue also alludes to the Croton Aqueduct, the first pure water aqueduct in NYC, which opened in 1842 on the site of Central Park and was a pretty big deal when it opened. So some local history there to ponder!
Inherent to the design of the Terrace and Fountain area was the idea of “nature first”, as the point of all this grand design was for people to take a break from city life and come and enjoy nature.
Accordingly, the carved panels around the base of the fountain depict natural themes: the Seasons, the Times of Day, and the Ages of Mankind. Heady stuff to consider while having an ice cream break and watching a green-painted actor pretend to be the Statue of Liberty. (Did she move? I saw her move…)
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Just for fun, take a look for turtles at the edge of the Lake. There are an incredible number of them living there, and unfortunately, they seem to have taken to begging like overfed park ducks.
So be mindful, visitors. Don’t feed the wildlife. (I’ve encountered an aggressive squirrel or two as well if they think you may be inclined to give them a snack. City critters don’t fool around.)
After your little break at the Esplanade, progress toward the Terrace. The upper terrace offers a nice vantage point for people-watching and views of the Lake, and if so inclined, you can take one of the grand staircases on either side up to check that out. But our route takes you underneath, through the Bethesda Terrace Arcade, which is more interesting, we think.
Bethesda Terrace Arcade
The Arcade has a cathedral-like quality, featuring a stunning tiled ceiling of more than 15,000 encaustic tiles that were created by England’s famous Minton Tile Company. The “Mintons”, as they were generally called, were removed for a time due to structural weakness of the terrace, but were replaced, fully restored, in 2007. Often used for floors in the great cathedrals of Europe, this is the only place in the entire world where these exquisite tiles are used for a ceiling.
Perhaps it is the Mintons, or just the arched stone structure itself, that gives the Arcade beautiful acoustics. You will find artists and buskers of all kinds, singers, dancers, violinists, etc, taking advantage of the sound quality of the arcade to entertain passers-by. It is one of the most “New York” experiences one can have.
Pass on through the Arcade, and climb the stairs to The Mall. There are restrooms in the area of the stairs if you feel the need.
If you are up for a quick diversion from our path, hang a left (with the stairs to your back), and walk a short distance to the Conservatory Water. There you will see a pond where children and hobbyists launch and race radio-and-wind-powered model sailboats and yachts. It’s a very famous spot - featured in films like Stuart Little, and one of my favorite areas in the park. Benches line the water, and it’s a great place to relax there and watch the boats, giving a feeling of stepping back in time.
The boats can be rented at Kerbs Boathouse on the site; the cost is $15 for 30 minutes.
Kerbs Boathouse also has a cafe and a bathroom.
Boats on the water outside Kerbs Boathouse in Central Park.
The Mall, The Dairy, Billionaire’s Row and the Gapstow Bridge
The Mall runs through the middle of Central Park.
Once you are up the stairs, you come to the wide, tree-lined path known as the Mall, which runs through the middle of the park from 66th to 72nd street and is one of its original design features.
Two things will strike you when strolling along the path: the beauty of the many American elm trees planted there, and the broad width of the path itself. This is one of the largest plantings of the American Elm in existence, as they were popular back when the park was created, but are somewhat less common today. These large trees provide a glorious amount of shade and in fall they appear lit up with golden yellow tones.
The wide path is a boon to the many skateboarders, families with strollers, street performers, artists, snack carts, and food vendors, as there is plenty of room for everyone. And with the over 9,000 benches that line the route, there’s ample opportunity to sit and have a rest or a snack. As an interesting curiosity, many of the benches in Central Park have dedication plaques through the Adopt a Bench initiative which makes for quirky reading.
The width of the Mall path was a conscious design element. The park’s creators wanted to accommodate the width of the carriages of wealthy folks. These distinguished visitors would get dropped off at the Mall's starting point (our ending point, as we are walking the Mall in the opposite direction), where they could appreciate the natural setting and mingle freely with people of lesser status while strolling along.
When they reached the Bethesda Terrace at the other end, their carriages would be waiting to pick them up and bring them to their next destination. Not a bad day.
The Dairy Visitor Center
At the end of the Mall, continue on the path toward the exit, and you’ll pass the path to the Dairy Visitor and Information Center on your right.
The Central Park Dairy, is a cute Victorian Gothic-style building with an interesting history. There’s not much there today except for a few benches and a rather nice small gift shop managed by the Central Park Conservancy. You might just want to pass it by, or take a little detour from our path to walk through and check out the shop.
The building’s originally intended use was to provide milk and snacks for children in the cool and relaxing atmosphere near the Pond. In the late 19th century, fresh milk for children was difficult to find and desperately sought after by parents. So The Dairy was built in the “children’s area” of the park to serve those needs.
The current Dairy Gift Shop offers a small collection of rather nice nature-oriented gifts and souvenirs, a little higher-end than you might expect. I particularly like the Christmas ornaments, always a nice thing to take home from a trip, and one can feel good about supporting the continued conservation of the park.
While you are on this little detour, just a few yards beyond the Dairy, you’ll see the Chess & Checkers House, up on a rock outcrop, It’s a cool-looking structure that was originally built 1952 and has been recently restored. Surrounding an octagonal brick structure are 24 game tables shaded by a wooden trellis. Games and tables are free and available on a first-come-first-served basis - no reservations needed. You can borrow game pieces at the Gift Shop at the Dairy. (You just have to provide your name, phone number, and an ID to check out game pieces.)
It’s a very pleasing spot just to hang out awhile even if you aren’t playing chess or checkers - just don’t hog a table from folks who want to play!
There’s also a bathroom available there.
Debbie and John in Central Park with Billionaire’s Row behind.
Back to out path - just ahead, in front of the Dairy, is an outcropping of rock and a famous view of the skyscrapers along 59th Street known as Billionaire’s Row. It’s definitely worth it to take a quick scramble on the rocks. From here you get a great view of the unique skyline of 59th Street. Though the skyscrapers of Billionaire’s Row are not without controversy, they do, in my opinion, create a very interesting display. This is a nice spot for sunset watching and photo taking.
Continue walking south and Wollman Rink and Gapstow Bridge are ahead on the right.
Though we are just walking past, it’s worth mentioning that Wollman Rink is a magical place to ice skate in the wintertime, due to its large size and iconic Midtown NYC backdrop. There is a fee to get in, as well as skate and locker rentals available. And hot chocolate! Yay!
Tickets for skating can be reserved on the Wollman Rink website.
New management by Wollman Park Partners II as of October 2025 means some much needed repairs are being made the rink’s infrastructure.
Even when it’s too warm for ice skating, Wollman Rink hosts cultural events and fun activities, most recently Pickleball - a popular recreation for young and old that’s become a bit of a craze around here. The rink in converted in summer (starting sometime in April) to 14 pickleball courts, available daily from 8 AM to 9 PM. All levels are welcome.
Ice skating at Wollman Rink.
The Gapstow Bridge, which you will pass on your right, is a pretty stone construction bridge that crosses over the narrowest edge of the Pond. It’s a popular spot for photos, as it offers views of Wollman Rink, the skyline of Central Park South, and the woody hill of the Hallett Nature Sanctuary.
Keep walking along the road to exit on the corner of 59th Street and 5th Avenue. And so ends our walking tour for the first-time visitor to Central Park!
For more tips on traveling on the NYC subway, check out our post: How to ride the NYC subway, tips for visitors
Central Park is an iconic New York experience. The New York Transit Museum is another! Check out our post: The Ultimate Guide to the New York Transit Museum. You’ll leave feeling like a "lifelong New Yorker."
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More Central Park sites worth visiting
Our walking route will take you through the heart of Central Park and many of the primary attractions. But this park is enormous and has plenty more to discover on a second visit, or if you have extra time and energy.
Entire guidebooks are written about the features, artworks, quirks and historical sites of Central Park, but we think these few are worth a particular mention beyond our route.
Strawberry Fields
The famous “Imagine” mosaic is 34-foot circular, black-and-white art piece donated by the people of Naples, Italy.
Strawberry Fields is one of the most visited spots in all of Central Park - a memorial to legendary musician and artist John Lennon. John and his wife Yoko Ono lived across the street at the Dakota building, and they often walked in this area of the park. John Lennon was killed outside the Dakota in 1980.
This peaceful garden is located on the west side of the park near 72nd Street, and you could opt to enter the park at 72nd St & Central Park West if you want to stop by first.
It’s a small site, centered on the famous "Imagine" mosaic. It is a gathering place for people paying their respect to Lennon; there are always flowers, musicians (usually playing Beatles tunes) and a good amount of quirky characters.
There’s not a lot to it - more “vibes” than anything special to see. But if you go with it and have a seat on one of the many benches to take in the reverent but slightly eccentric atmosphere, you’ll surely hear some good music, and likely befriend a gray-haired hippie or two, who will gladly tell you all about their exploits seeing the Beatles play live somewhere in the 1960s. Quintessential New York.
It isn’t grand; lower your expectations and you’ll enjoy it.
The Great Lawn
Just north of the Turtle Pond and Belvedere Castle is one of NYC's most beloved open spaces, the Great Lawn of Central Park. It is literally what it sounds like it is - a big, open lawn.
Remember, to many NYC residents, Central Park is their backyard, and the Great Lawn is where they like to go and hang out. On any given weekend, it's full of picnickers, frisbee players, and sunbathers.
In summer, the Great Lawn is the site of free concerts by the Metropolitan Opera and New York Philharmonic, drawing enormous crowds for magical outdoor evenings.
Worth a stroll through on your way in or out of the park. Or bring a blanket, some delicious take-out and have a picnic.
The Central Park Zoo
I have fond memories of taking my son when he was very small to the Central Park Zoo with some of his buddies at the time. Though I will say, I personally think it is best for younger kids in general, as there aren’t that many animals and older kids probably wouldn’t enjoy it quite as much.
That being said, the Zoo is a very popular attraction so do expect it to get crowded on weekends especially in nice weather. You do have to pay to get in - $22.95 for adults, $16.95 for kids 3-12 (2 & under are free) - and booking can be done online.
There is a pretty cool backstory to the CP Zoo. There was never a real intention for a zoo to be located in the park, but at some point, around 1859, a bear cub was left tied to a tree, and this led to other exotic animals being dropped off at the park, creating an informal menagerie that became popular with visitors. Eventually this collection evolved into a formal zoo, which today is managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
There are quite a large variety of birds to see and a large “free flight” area. Penguin and sea lion feedings are fun for the kiddies to see so check the posted schedules.
The famous Delacorte Clock is regarded as an iconic monument of Central Park. The automaton clock features six bronze animal figures playing instruments, that parade around the clock on a motorized carousel to chimed happy tunes every half hour between 8am and 6pm. The clock sits atop an arcaded gateway on a public path between the main zoo and the Children’s Zoo, so you can see the clock even if you don’t pay to enter the zoo.
The Central Park Zoo is located near the southeast corner of Central Park.
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| 🏨 Booking.com | Our go-to for hotels. Lots of search options, great filters, and honest reviews. | Visit → |
| 🎟️ Viator | We love Viator for food tours and historical guides. Hard to beat for finding great local experiences. | Visit → |
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🏨 Booking.com
Our go-to for hotels. Lots of search options, great filters, and honest reviews.
Visit →🎟️ Viator
We love Viator for food tours and historical guides. Hard to beat for finding great local experiences.
Visit →✈️ FareDrop
Sends custom notifications when airfare drops to destinations you care about. A great way to find deals.
Visit →📱 Airalo
eSIM for your phone — works in virtually every country. Easy to set up before you leave home.
Visit →Central Park FAQ’s:
What are Central Park’s hours and when is the best time to visit Central Park?
Central Park is open from 6 am to 1 am every day.
Spring and fall are our favorite times to visit Central Park, as the weather is more agreeable.
That being said, the Park is beautiful in all seasons and there are many events that take place there all year long. In summer, you may want to visit in the morning when it’s cooler and less crowded or in the evening for sunset viewing.
Luckily, much of the walking path we have created for you is in shade!
Is there a fee to enter Central Park?
There is no fee to enter the park, however certain attractions such as the Central Park Zoo, Wollman Rink, and boating rentals, require purchasing a ticket.
The good news is our walking tour will not cost you anything! ;)
Are there places to eat in Central Park?
There are a few sit-down restaurants and snack bars in Central Park, but our opinion is - don’t bother. Places like the Central Park Boathouse, Le Pain Quotidien, Tavern on the Green, and Dancing Crane Cafe are all crowded and pricey. With so many hot dog carts and food vendors, we suggest just grabbing a snack or two and save your sit-down eating for outside the park.
You might also consider packing a picnic lunch. Many visitors enjoy picnicking in the Sheep Meadow (just west of the Mall) or the Great Lawn (north of the Turtle Pond). Or with over 9,000 benches in the park, you can surely find a spot to sit. In NYC, there is certainly no shortage of places to pick up a sandwich for your Central Park picnic.
How big is Central Park, and how long does it take to walk?
Central Park is huge; stretching 2.5 miles from south to north (59th Street to 110th Street) and 0.5 miles from east to west, covering 843 acres. If you walked at a good clip without stopping, it would probably take at least 45 minutes to walk from one end to the other. But that wouldn’t be really taking it in.
Our walking route covers the southern and central sections of the park and takes 2–3 hours at a comfortable sightseeing pace - which we think is just right for a first visit.
How else can I get around Central Park besides walking?
Central Park is closed to car traffic within the park.
Bicycling is very popular in Central Park and can be either a leisurely scenic ride or a workout on hilly terrain, depending on how you approach it.
The six-mile Central Park “loop” is got a major overall 2025, as part of a city plan to make the loop a safer place for cyclists and walkers, who often came into conflict with one another along the busy trail that goes around the park.
The route has been repaved to create three distinct lanes: an inside lane for pedestrians and joggers; a middle lane for slower bikers; and a speedier “flex” lane on the outside for e-bikes, e-scooters that have become very popular in the park since cars were banned in 2018. This outer lane will also be used for emergency vehicles and work vehicles.
The redesign expands the portions of the roadway designated for pedestrians and includes replacing every traffic light with bicycle-specific signals in order to reduce conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists.
Also, a new bicycle path will be added along the Bridle Path at 86th Street, with signage identifying active bicycle lanes and pedestrian crossings.
The work on the loop's northern section is expected to conclude sometime in 2026.
Need to rent a bike? BikeRent NYC offers these two locations:
Grand Army Plaza entrance to the Pond at Fifth Avenue and 60th Street.
Merchants' Gate Plaza at Central Park South and Central Park West.
Rentals are seasonal and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pedicab sightseeing tours are offered through Peter Pan Tours. As you can see from the link, Peter Pan Tours gets great reviews.
Regarding the famous horse-drawn carriage rides, we know that many tourists may want to have this fairy-tale experience, but here at The Empty Nest Explorers, we don’t support it. It’s been a controversial issue here in New York for many years; you may have seen the viral story of a horse collapsing in the street due to the summer heat. Though we love seeing horses as much as anyone (and who doesn’t?), we would rather not recommend it.
Is there parking by Central Park?
Our best advice to tourists wanting to see Central Park is: DON’T DRIVE! There is no free parking near Central Park, and garage parking in this part of Manhattan is expensive - often $40–$60 or more for a few hours, and spaces do fill up quickly on weekends. The Subway is really your best option. (see our directions above using the C or B train)
If you simply must drive, use an app like SpotHero, to get the best price.
Don’t be afraid of the subway, it really is ok!!! You can read all about using the NYC subway system in our post, How to ride the NYC subway, tips for visitors.
Anything special for kids at Central Park?
Yes, of course! While everything on our walking tour is kid-friendly, there are a few spots in the park that are especially for children.
There are actually 21 varied and fun playgrounds throughout the park! Too many to mention in one blog post, but a list of them can be found here: Link to playgrounds in Central Park
The Central Park Zoo is a popular spot, but in my opinion, it is only good for very little children. Older kids may find it a bit unexciting, as there aren't a whole lot of animals. There is also a fee to enter the zoo.
Is Central Park accessible for visitors with mobility needs?
Yes, Central Park does a good job of addressing visitors with mobility needs.
Central Park is largely wheelchair accessible, with flat, smooth paved paths throughout most of the park.
The Central Park Conservancy provides a free Access Map, available at centralparknyc.org , which highlights the best accessible routes to key landmarks, including Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, and the Central Park Zoo.
The newly renovated Delacorte Theater (reopened August 2025 and celebrating is Grand Reopening for Summer 2026) has significantly improved accessibility, with step-free seating, dedicated wheelchair accessible seats, low-vision seating, and ASL interpreters at Shakespeare in the Park performances. Accessible ticket lotteries are available through the TodayTix app, or visitors can join a dedicated ADA line at the Delacorte box office on the day of a performance.
Adaptive cycling and walking programs for visitors with disabilities are also available through Achilles International in the park.
How do I rent a rowboat on the Lake?
Rowboat rentals and guided gondola tours are available on the Central Park Lake from April to November, weather permitting. The Central Park Boathouse has a large fleet of rowboats, each of which seats four people. At $25 an hour ($30/hr on Fri-Sun) it’s not a bad deal, but it should be noted that it’s credit card or Apple Pay only. No reservations are accepted - boats are rented on a first-come, first-served basis.
Boating on the Lake is a great way to see waterfowl up close, including egrets, herons, ducks and even occasional loons. No pets are allowed on the boats, however.
For complete details: Link to boat rentals in Central Park
How do I get tickets to Shakespeare in the Park?
Free tickets for Shakespeare in the Park for the Summer 2026 season are distributed on the day of the performance in several diffferent ways: the classic in-person line at the Delacorte; via the TodayTix digital app lottery (easiest way for tourists); an in-person lottery at The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street in the East Village; or via a standby line at the Delacorte Theater that forms at 6 pm if tickets go unclaimed..
All of these methods are explained in detail in the handy chart we’ve created for you in the Delacorte Theater section of this post above.
Where can I learn more about Central Park?
Volumes can be written on Central Park, its history and all its goings-on. In this post, we have attempted to give the first-time visitor a good day trip plan, but there is much more to see and do. We are pretty sure you will fall in love with Central Park and want to visit many more times, so be sure to check out the official website for events and further info:
Central Park official website.
If you are a birding enthusiast like me, you might enjoy Birds of Central Park by Cal Vornberger. It’s such a beautiful book! My other favorite Central Park-themed birding book is The Falconer of Central Park by Donald Knowler - if you can find it these days! It’s a rather old book! (Try Abebooks or Thriftbooks.)
Both of these books focus on the community of birders who come to Central Park.
Fun Fact - The “Falconer” for whom the book is named is a famous sculpture in the park, who stands atop a rock outcropping along the Terrace Drive between Sheep Meadow and the Lake. The sculpture depicts a man reaching upwards to release his hunting bird and is one of several artworks in the Park that depict scenes of animals and people hunting.
For more information on the good work being done by the Central Park Conservancy:
Central Park Conservancy website.
If you are looking for something to do after your Central Park visit, check out our post on What to do in Chelsea, NYC.
Greenwich Village is another NYC classic, check out our post: Tips for visiting Greenwich Village, NYC
If your feet aren’t too tired and you want to continue sightseeing, check out this blog post about exploring midtown Manhattan. Pick up the post halfway through and start in the Rockefeller Center area, which is just a few blocks from Central Park.
This post was researched and written by Debbie O'Boyle of The Empty Nest Explorers.
Debbie is a professional photographer with over 30 years of experience and a former staff member at the Star-Ledger/NJ.com, where she managed the digital photography technical team. She and her husband John, travel extensively and write from firsthand experience at every destination they cover. You can learn more about Debbie and the Empty Nest Explorers here.
Additional New York travel posts you might like:
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The Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK Airport is an upscale lounge with many refined features.
The lounge serves top-notch food and drinks.