There are endless must-see sites in Central Park, one of the largest green spaces in the world at 843-acres. It’s more than just a park, it’s a representation of New York City. With more than 340 hectares of historic landmarks, gardens, lakes, and pathways, Central Park attracts over 25 million visitors annually.
What to do in Central Park? The possibilities are endless, and if you really wanted to row on the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir with its almost two and a half kilometers around, or see a lot of species (130 to be exact) at the Central Park Zoo, those are just examples among the many features possible. The Great Lawn is almost the size of 30 soccer fields with incredible skyline views, not to mention being in the park if you love movies, you will recognize situations as the park has been featured in over 300 films. Even knowing what to see in Central Park, or plan “the best things to do in Central Park,” this guide will help plan your navigation of this amazing urban paradise, the park was basically in my backyard for years.
Top Attractions in Central Park
If you want to know the best places to see in Central Park, be it the iconic landmarks or the peaceful escapes, then that is undoubtedly something you must do while in New York City. These places to go in Central Park give you the best of both worlds, stunning nature scenes plus architectural marvels that have been intriguing the visitors for a long time..
Strawberry Fields and the Imagine Mosaic
Strawberry Fields is a lovely memorial dedicated to the late John Lennon, the peace-loving musician and activist, who made The Dakota apartment his home near the park. Besides the West 72nd Street exit, Strawberry Fields extends over five acres and is a teardrop-shaped area that was officially designated a quiet zone after Lennon’s death in 1980. One of the highly visible features of the place is definitely the black-and-white circular mosaic with the word imagine written at the center. The creators of the mosaic are the artisans of Naples and the mosaic was a gift from the city of Naples, Italy.
Compared to memorials which generally stay the same, Strawberry Fields was designed as a living memorial that would change. The dedication took place on October 9, 1985, (Lennon’s 45th birthday) and the site now contains contributions from over 120 countries, such as plants and stones, which form the international garden of peace. People visiting Strawberry Fields can do so at any time of the year but on Lennon’s birthday and the day of his death, they come in great numbers to see the memorial and take part in the peace heritage that he left.
Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
Bethesda Terrace is in the heart of Central Park and is one of the most incredible architectural marvels in the park. It is a grand plaza with two levels and gleaming staircases and an Arcade with the only ceiling in the whole world made of almost 16,000 encaustic tiles laid out in 49 panels.
The terrace faces the lake and has the Angel of the Waters over it, which is the Bethesda Fountain, formally. Emma Stebbins was very clever with the timing of her work to be a bronze figure that was made in 1868 and dedicated in 1873, which eventually became the first public art in New York City by a woman to be commissioned. This beautiful fountain is one of the largest in New York City. The statue at the center shows the one-winged figure holding a lily, which is an everlasting symbol of purity, while the four angels underneath represent the virtues of health, purity, temperance, and peace. The statue is a memorial to the Croton Aqueduct, the huge project that first brought fresh water to New York City in 1842.
Bow Bridge and Cherry Hill
Bow Bridge is among the most popular photo spots in Central Park, it extends for 60 feet over the Lake and connects Cherry Hill with the Ramble down. The bridge made of cast-iron and dating back to 1862 gets its name from the graceful curve of its structure which looks like the bow of an archer. The bridge of the Victorian period mixes together Gothic, Neo-Classical and Renaissance features and besides being a functional one, it is also an outstanding piece of art. Originally developed as a scenic gathering spot for horse-drawn carriages, the fountain at the center of Cherry Hill was originally intended as a trough for drinking water for horses. Presently, the hill is well known for being the home to stunning Yoshino cherry trees that put on a show each spring when everyone
Belvedere Castle and Turtle Pond
Belvedere Castle, which is located at the top of Vista Rock (the park’s second-highest natural point), gives the wide views that are really what its name in Italian, “beautiful view,” refers to. This little castle built of Manhattan schist was built in 1872 to be a both a scenic lookout and a fabulous visual element of nature. Following a total overhaul in 2019, the castle is now equipped with a visitor center and a gift shop. The pond was given its name in 1987 to honor the turtles living there. Around the pond is a shore of water-loving plants which contributes to a natural habitat for all types of wildlife, including birds, fish, frogs, and dragonflies.
The Great Lawn and skyline views
The Great Lawn is situated at the precise geographical point where Central Park is divided into four parts and it is spread over a total area of 55 acres, the main oval lawn area alone being 12 acres! That is a great deal of space and the Great Lawn has become a place where many different kinds of recreational activities can be performed, playing softball or volleyball, having a picnic, or sunbathing, for instance. In addition, the lawn has been a great location for large scale events, including yearly concerts by the New York Philharmonic during their Concerts in the Parks series, and the Global Citizen Festival. What’s more, the views of the Manhattan skyline surrounding this greenery are truly breathtaking and offer postcard-quality places to take pictures in almost every place you look! It is interesting to note as well that this iconic landscape was built relatively recently in the history of the Park, dating back only to the 1930’s after an already lengthy process of replacing a large reservoir, to make the park a reality after the last restoration that was officially completed in 1997.
Outdoor Activities to Enjoy
Central Park is not only a beautiful place to see, it also has lots of active opportunities to experience it. These problem-based outdoor activities are best to do in central park and they showcase some of the most memorable things to do in central park in the seasons.
Jogging around the Reservoir
The Shuman Reservoir Track at Central Park is ranked as one of the most visited running locales in the world. Runners can enjoy a 1.58-mile crushed gravel loop with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, which track is a softer surface than the usual paving. It is also established that the track should be used in a counterclockwise manner only. Hence, no dogs, bicycles, or strollers are allowed. Besides, the Park’s paved drives are there to complete a 6.1-mile full loop for those who want to run longer distances, while the Great Lawn Oval is almost exactly a half-mile track for efficient speed training.
Cycling the Central Park loop
In case you decide to ride your bicycle through Central Park, your journey can be either a nice way to relax or an intense workout depending on which trail you follow. The outermost 6.1-mile loop that circles the entire park is the one that bikers are able to finish in roughly 45-60 minutes thus they are the ones to use it. Be sure to ride counterclockwise on all park drives and that the speed limit is 20 mph. If you are a beginner or just want to have a shorter experience, the 1.7-mile Short Loop in the southern part of the park is a flatter and more solvable terrain for you.
Rowboat Rentals At Loeb Boathouse
Definitely, a rowboat rental is a calm and lovely method to glance at the Central Park scene from the water. The Central Park Boathouse is open for daily rentals of boats from 10 AM to sunset (weather permitting). The hourly rate will be 25 USD from Monday to Thursday and 30 USD from Friday to Sunday in 2025. Each boat can have up to four people, so it is a great little group or family arrangement. You will be able to view the Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace and the Ramble that is an animal and bird sanctuary from the boat as well.
Ice skating at Wollman Rink
Wollman Rink ice skating is definitely one of the most loved and treasured winter traditions at the park and it goes on from October to April. As the rink faces the south, the skyline of the city can be seen very clearly and it is quite magical especially after the dark falls. The rink has been the heart of the metropolis culture and a spot of attraction for the two groups, the locals and the tourists, who are willing to share the authentic New York life, throughout the years.
Swimming at the new Davis Center
The Davis Center is a new recreational facility of Central Park that provides programming all the year round close to the Harlem Meer. The large pool, in which visitors enjoy swimming during summer, is converted into an ice skating rink in winter. The center offers many different programs, e.g. swimming lessons and gym classes, a great number of which are free or of a very low cost. From November 15, 2025, visitors will be able to sign up for skating lessons and hockey programs in this cutting-edge facility at the north end.
Family-Friendly Things to Do
If a family decides to delve into the top things to do in Central Park, they will find a real heaven of children’s adventures in this legendary place. With separate zones made especially for inquisitive young adventurers, these safe-to-the-family experiences in nature turn a mere trip into an indelible journey for people of all ages.
Visit the Central Park Zoo
Central Park Zoo, a small wild animal park that is possible to be lived closely, situated nearby 64th Street and 5th Avenue. The zoo holds exclusive opening hours for sensory families so that they have the opportunity to know the place before the regular visitors come. These programs offer a range of comfortable and accessible activities accompanying the participants’ different abilities to enjoy the experience equally. Through games and small animal encounters, the Junior Keepers program (grades K-5th) offers a hands-on approach to learning animal care for kids. Besides, students (grades 6th-12th) can enroll in the “Zookeeping 101” course which deals with different aspects of animal husbandry and conservation. What is more, kids below 3 years can always enter for free.
Ride the Central Park Carousel
Every day the historic Central Park Carousel operates from 10 AM to dusk (weather permitting) and is a delight to about 250,000 riders annually. This vintage wood-carved merry-go-round with the 57 hand-carved horses 52 jumpers and 5 standers plus two decorative chariots is located mid-park at 65th Street. Although the installation is from 1951, it was made in 1908 and is considered one of the significant pieces of American folk art. The carousel features lovely melodies from a 52-keyless A. Ruth & Sohn Model 33 Band Organ that is audible to the waltzes, marches, and polkas. The ticket is USD 4.00 per person per ride (only cash).
Explore The Tisch Children’s Zoo
The next-door zoo to Central Park main, the Tisch Children’s Zoo was created in 1997 with the help of philanthropist Laurence A. Tisch. In this kid-friendly place, apart from the 4-legged animals common in NYC like goats and sheep, children can also see a Yunnanese pot-bellied pig and the only cow in Manhattan. If parents allow and kids carry some quarters, they can buy the food for the animals from vending machines and give the animals a treat themselves. Besides that, nice little bronze animal figures are set up at every animal home. If you press them, they make lifelike animal sounds. The Enchanted Forest is the place where you will find some oversized insects flying over your head and a spider web to climb on.
Play at Heckscher Playground
As the most historically and extensively organically of the Central Park playgrounds (almost three acres), Heckscher has been in operation since the year 1926 and stretches from 61st to 63rd streets. In addition to the regular playground apparatus such as slides, swings, and seesaws, the park has massive climbing rocks and two water play areas in the summer – one for older children and the other for younger kids. The playground offers a maze-like climber, synthetic turf, safety surfacing, and accessible facilities including adaptive swings. Lavatories are available from 7:30 in the morning until the time when the sun goes down.
Conclusion
Central Park is still one of the major and forever great city escapes of New York City a lively refuge that is very much in line with the city’s nature. Any and every way you choose to experience its scenic trails, the lake on a rowing boat, the art and architecture or even just the Great Lawn for some rest and relaxation, you will find new and memorable things in the park. With the new attractions, the festive atmosphere of events, and the eco-friendly initiatives, Central Park is still mixing its natural charm with the city’s pulse and making it an essential visit for the first-time travelers and the New Yorkers who have been around forever. The magic and calm of Central Park is what makes the NYC trip really great and it is a must-experience.