Everything below is free unless we say otherwise. The list runs roughly south to north, so you can follow it as a route.
Our top pick: Home Alone 2 and Elf Locations Tour
The southern half
- The Pond and Gapstow Bridge (near 59th St & 5th Ave): the stone bridge with the Midtown skyline behind it. Best in the morning.
- Wollman Rink: ice skating in winter, a paid ticket plus skate rental. Book ahead on weekends.
- Central Park Zoo (paid): small, but a good stop with children.
- The Mall and Literary Walk: a quarter-mile promenade under American elms, lined with statues of writers.
- Bethesda Terrace and Fountain (72nd St): the Angel of the Waters statue, the arcade with its tiled ceiling and the Lake beyond. Street musicians often play under the arcade.
- Bow Bridge: the 60-foot cast-iron bridge linking Cherry Hill and the Ramble. The most photographed bridge in the park.
- Loeb Boathouse: rowboat rentals on the Lake in the warm months (paid).
- Strawberry Fields (W 72nd St): the Imagine mosaic, a memorial to John Lennon.
- Sheep Meadow: 15 acres of lawn for picnics, with skyline views.
Home Alone 2 and Elf Locations Tour
Film locations in the park with a guide. 4.8/5 from over 250 reviews.
Celebrity Homes and Film Spots Pedicab Tour
Covers the southern highlights without the walking. 4.9/5 from over 880 reviews.
Why book online
- Free cancellation on most tickets, usually up to 24 hours before
- Reserved time slot: no queue at the ticket desk
- Mobile ticket on your phone
- Reviews from verified travelers
The middle and north
- The Ramble: 36 acres of winding paths and woodland, a favorite of birdwatchers.
- Belvedere Castle: a small castle on Vista Rock with views over Turtle Pond and the Great Lawn.
- The Great Lawn: open lawns and ballfields at the center of the park.
- The Reservoir: a running track of about 1.6 miles around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, with views of both skylines.
- Conservatory Garden (5th Ave & 105th St): six acres of formal gardens, the only formal garden in the park. Visitor guides give 8am to dusk.
- Harlem Meer: a quieter lake at the northeast corner.
Save your legs: items 10 to 15 are spread over a mile and a half. A bike rental or a pedicab gets you there without the long walk back.
Tours worth booking
Also on Viator
Central Park NYC Highlights Small-Group Bike Tour
About 2 hours, classic bike or e-bike, starting a few blocks south of the park.
Check hotels near Central Park
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need in Central Park?
Two to three hours covers the southern highlights on foot. Allow a half day, or rent a bike, if you want to reach the Reservoir and the Conservatory Garden too.
What is free to do in Central Park?
Almost everything: walking, Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, the Conservatory Garden, Belvedere Castle and the Mall. You pay for bikes, boats, skating, the zoo and tours.
When is the Conservatory Garden open?
Visitor guides give 8am until dusk daily. It is at Fifth Avenue and 105th Street, entered through the Vanderbilt Gate.
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