Central Park needs no introduction. A trip to New York City is not complete without a walk through the city’s backyard. And in today’s post, we’re going to talk about how to make that walk as amazing as possible by highlight 10 must-dos.
If Central Park had a flaw, it would be that it’s so big and has so much to offer, that it’s hard to narrow it down. The good news is that you can’t really go wrong with whatever you choose. But if you want to make sure you see and do the best of Central Park, you’ve come to the right place.
I’m a New York City local who has called Central Park my backyard for about four years now. From Saturday morning playground hopping with my little one to training for the NYC Marathon and everything in between, I have logged countless hours in this park. It seemed like the right time to finally compile all of my favorite things in this list of the best things to do in Central Park.
Whether you’re looking to fill one beautiful day in Central Park or just want to add a few things to your itinerary, this list will expertly guide you to the highlights.
Let’s go explore Central Park!
1. See the View From the Reservoir
The Reservoir — technically the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, which I admittedly just learned from Google Maps — is at the center of the park. It’s the largest water feature in the park and offers stunning city views. It also captures the beauty of every season, with cherry trees that pop pink in the spring and sugar maples and dogwoods that burn bright in the fall.
There are two paths around the Reservoir: the upper running track and the lower Bridal Path. To get the view of the skyline and the reservoir, you’ll need to be on the running track. This path is a one-way (counter-clockwise), pedestrian pathway. (Runners and walkers are allowed, despite the name.)
You can get to the path a few different ways, but the main entrances are across from Engineer’s Gate (go up the stairs to reach the running track) or near the Cherry Blossom grove on the west side (walk all the way to the waterfront path.)
I’d recommend entering on the east side, walking north and around the Reservoir for skyline views, and then existing through the cherry blossoms toward the main walking path (Ted Corbitt Loop.)
2. Climb the Rocks
Throughout Central Park, you’ll find many interesting large rock formations. While Central Park as was primarily manmade, the rock structures are all natural. All of the exposed rock in Central Park is ancient bedrock, which formed 190 million to 1.1 billion years ago — and we’re going to play on it.
You can climb the rocks in tons of different places around Central Park, but I have a few favorite spots that are easy to get to and are beautiful places to sit and relax with incredible views.
The first is here, by The Pond on the southeast corner of the park. We climb up here just about every time we go to Central Park. From atop this large rock, you’ll be treated to stunning views of The Pond, Gapstow Bridge and the nearby skyline. Getting up there is actually pretty easy from the east side, which makes it a popular pick. If you come from East Drive (about here), it’s an easy walk to the top of the rock face. You can also climb up from The Pond side, but it’s much steeper.
Another spot I love is Umpire Rock, near Heckscher Playground. This area is large and has some not-very-steep options, but also has some legit bouldering. You can often spot climbers with bouldering mats honing their craft around here.
The last spot I love is Hernshead, which is a rock formation that juts out into The Lake. It’s not far from AMNH, so we like the pair the two. It’s a popular spot, but there is a good amount of real estate, so it’s easy to carve out your own spot. The views and vibes here are top notch.
3. Relax at the Gazebo
One of my favorite spots in Central Park seems to somehow fly under the radar. Every time I come up here, I’m shocked that there aren’t more people. Most days in fact, I have the place all to myself.
This special place — which I’ve always just called “the gazebo” — is technically called Summerhouse at the Dene. It is a charming, wooden gazebo, perched on a rock here, just past the Billy Johnson Playground (which happens to be my child’s favorite playground in Central Park.)
The views from up here are bananas. The gazebo itself is a great place to have a seat and enjoy a coffee. There’s also a rock formation just behind, where you can spread out and enjoy a picnic. It tends to be fairly quiet, and is such a perfect hidden gem in Central Park.
4. Eat at Tavern on the Green
This one might be controversial. Plenty of people will say it’s cliche or overrated. Those people are wrong. Others may say that it’s overpriced. Those people are … probably right. However, I think it’s worth it. It’s a great way to extend your stay in the park with a beautiful dining experience.
Tavern on the Green is one of two table service restaurants in Central Park. The other being Central Park Boathouse, made famous (to me, at least) in When Harry Met Sally. While I’ve never eaten at the Boathouse, I have enjoyed one of the best meals of my life at Tavern on the Green. (I’m admittedly not a foodie, and also vegetarian, so take my food critiques with a grain of salt.)
I think Tavern on the Green is absolutely stunning. It has charm anytime of year, but my favorite time is Christmas season. It’s so cozy and festive, and just very inviting. In my experience, the service here has been exquisite, which is part of why I love it so much. They created a welcoming, relaxed dining experience that really felt special. Plus, the food was excellent.
Adding a meal at Tavern on the Green is a great bow on a perfect Central Park day, and in my opinion, and must-do. But yes, be prepared for sticker shock on your bill.
Tip! It’s a good idea to make a reservation in advance. Walk-up seating is not always available. They do have an open-seating bar section. It’s which is worth checking out if you don’t have a reservation, but is often full too.
5. Watch the Sea Lions and Delacorte Clock
The Central Park Zoo is located in the southeast corner of the park. As much as we personally love a day at the zoo as annual pass holders, I wouldn’t call it a must-do. Partly because it’s a pretty small, basic zoo, but mostly because the best attraction doesn’t require a ticket.
The sea lion enclosure is easily visible from the public pathway outside of the zoo. There is a free viewing area where you can watch the seals bop around, which is a fun way to spend a few minutes while you wait for the Delacorte Clock to dance.
The Delacorte Clock, just steps away from the Central Park Zoo, is a Central Park darling. The clock features a menagerie of bronze sculpted animals playing musical instruments that carousel around to nursery rhymes. It chimes and performs every half an hour from 8 AM to 6 PM. It’s always a hit with little kids and adults alike.
Tip! There is a free public bathroom inside the Arsenal Building across from the Zoo. (It’s one of the best/cleanest in the park.) Enter from the south side of the building and they are located on the first floor on your left.
6. Walk the Mall to Bethesda Fountain
This is quintessential Central Park. Even if you know nothing about Central Park, you probably know about this. If not by name, you will know it when you see it — because you’ve seen Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal walking down it, Santa’s sleigh flying over it, and Thor saying farewell to the Avengers beside it.
As we like to say around here there, popular things are popular for a reason, and that holds true in this case.
For the best experience, enter from the south side near the Shakespeare statue here. Despite the clear pathway depicted in the movies, the Mall is actually typically lined with kiosks selling art or kitschy signs, food vendors, and musicians and performers. Add to it the statues and moments along the way, and this short walk can quickly become an activity.
You’ll hit a staircase at the end of The Mall. You can stay up and enjoy the view of the fountain and lake from above at Bethesda Terrace, but then go down the stairs. You’ll walk through the arcade, which is adorned with ornate Minton tile work and towering archways. If you visit between 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM, you might even catch the sweet melodies played by Central Park stable, Carlos König, echo through the walkway.
Tip! Remember to tip. If you take photo or video of a musician or performer, or if you stay for a while, it’s customary to tip a few bucks. Many even have QR codes for Venmo tips if you don’t have cash.
Finally, you’ll reach the fountain at the end. It’s a perfect place to relax, see the paddle boats go by, and people watch. This little stretch of park is sure to steal your heart.
7. Explore The Ramble
The Ramble is a completely different experience than the rest of Central Park. It’s a huge, densely wooded area, with a maze of pathways webbed throughout. From here, the sound of the wind through the leaves blocks out the city sounds the same way they block the skyscrapers from view. It truly feels like you’ve left Manhattan and stepped into a forest.
There are so many routes and views and adventures to have in The Ramble, it’s hard to go wrong. However, I’d suggest starting by crossing Bow Bridge — just a short walk from Bethesda Fountain.
From there, it’s dealer’s choice. Hug the waterfront pathway right for an incredible view of the bridge with the city in the background. Or stay straight and venture into the heart of The Ramble. Part of the fun here is getting lost, so at every fork, choose the route that looks the prettiest.
I particularly love The Ramble in the fall, but it’s beautiful anytime of year.
8. Visit Belvedere Castle
Towering above the trees of The Ramble sits the majestic Belvedere Castle. This castle building juts out of the rock and ads a sense of fantasy to your visit to Central Park. Built in the late 1800s, the castle is old but necessarily historic.
It was designed solely as a visual element, and the original construction didn’t even have doors or windows. Today, there is a visitor center inside, but it’s main attraction continues to be its terraces. From here, you can enjoy stunning views over the surrounding landscape, including the Turtle Pond on one side on The Ramble on the other.
The views from the Belvedere are great, but I personally prefer the views of it. Before or after your visit to the castle, take a walk past the nearby Delacorte Theater and around to the other side of the Turtle Pond. Here you get a great view of the castle perched above the water.
9. Pay Tribute at Strawberry Fields
On the west side of the park, at roughly 72th St, there’s a mosaic memorial with “Imagine” on it. This mosaic is the heart of the 5-acre landscaped memorial to the late John Lennon. The legendary artist lived across the street, and walked this part of the park often.
The memorial is one of the most visited places in Central Park. You will always find people here, many of which will leave flowers behind. If you can, wait your turn and sneak in an obligatory foot photo with the mosaic.
Past the crowds at the memorial though, you’ll find that this corner of the park is actually quiet. Take a stroll on the looped, wooded trail nearby and experience that peace of the park the John Lennon was said to have been inspired by.
10. Celebrate the Season
Every season in Central Park is special. From natural changes to special events, there are different things you must experience during each season. Here are my favorites.
Spring in Central Park. Spring in New York is my favorite season. From flowering trees to daffodilled meadows and manicured tulip beds, there is color and life at every turn. And if you happen to catch cherry blossom season? Prepare to be amazed! There are blooms everywhere, but some of my favorite spots are near places already mentioned in this post. The rocks near The Pond, the area southeast of The Mall, and the cherry blossom grove along the Reservoir are great areas to explore this time of year.
Summer in Central Park. There is so much going in Central Park in the summer, that it’s hard to go wrong. From summer sporting events, to free Shakespeare in the Park, to concerts, races and festivals — the park really comes to life in the summer.
When the weather is warm and the trees are green, one of my favorite things to do is watch the model sailboats on the Conservatory Water pond. The Central Park Model Yacht Club race boats every Saturday from 10 AM – 1 PM. If you want to race yourself, you can rent a boat any day of the week. There’s a little Le Pain Quotidien cafe on the water, too, which makes the perfect mint lemonade to pair with your summer day in the park.
Fall in Central Park. I once took a foliage run just to scope out the best fall vibes around the park. Some of my favorite spots were obvious heavy hitters; we’re talking The Mall, The Ramble and The Pond. However, some were sneakier like The Pool and the Harlem Meer on the north end of the park, and rocky areas west of the Wollman Rink.
I’d note that fall is a slow burn in NYC. You get a burst of those big, bold colors in late October, but some of best fall days in the park have come after that in mid- to late-November.
Winter in Central Park. If you happened to find yourself in New York City during a snowstorm, consider yourself lucky. Central Park in the snow is something out of a fairy tail. If you catch it, one of the best things to do — other than just enjoy a walk — is to go sledding or watch the sledders. One of the best and most popular sledding hills in Central Park is Pilgrim Hill, but you’ll find kids sledding on just about any patch of sloped ground.
Snow is far from guaranteed though, and that’s not all there is to Central Park in the winter. If you can’t have snow, the next best winter activity in Central Park is ice skating at the Wollman Rink. Also be sure to check for seasonal events. In recent years, they’ve done outdoor screenings of movies like Elf here.
Bonus: Walk (or Run) the Ted Corbit Loop
If you’re feeling ambitious, I’d challenge you to walk or run the full Ted Corbitt Loop. With separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, this 6-mile loop winds its way around the entirety of Central Park. It’s a beautiful way to experience the park beyond the main vistas, which are largely centered in the middle and south ends of the park.
The loop is well marked with pedestrian and cyclist signage and comprises East Drive, West Drive and Center Drive. You can technically take the loop in either direction, but most people consider counter-clockwise to be the proper direction.
If you’re a runner, this course is one of the best routes in NYC or anywhere. It’s as beautiful as it is challenging, and it’s impossible not to be inspired by the number of people you will see out there every single day. (And I mean every single day. Early Saturday mornings. Weekday afternoons. Below Zero. Above 90. There is always people running.)
Tip! Stay in the pedestrian lane. The bikers will yell at you. [Insert eye roll here]
Bonus II: Play at a Playground
I wouldn’t be able to call myself a parent to a 5-year-old if I didn’t mention the playgrounds. I left it a bonus, because not everyone is visiting with kids. But if you are, visiting a playground or two is a must and there are 21 different playgrounds to choose from!
I must admit, my personal experience with playgrounds is mostly limited to the south half of the park. We typically arrive via the 5th Ave N station. My child hasn’t yet walked their first full Ted Corbitt Loop, so we tend to take our talents to playgrounds near there.
Here is a quick rundown of our favorite playgrounds.
- Billy Johnson Playground. Highlights include a large marble slide, seasonal splash pad, and swings & tire swings. This is our all-time favorite that we go to the most.
- Hecksher Playground. Castle-like climbing features (including rocks nearby), city views, bigger sand area and splash pad. This one we only got into recently, because the steep drop-offs and blind spots were nerve-racking for me with a little one.
- Ancient Playground. Convenient location near the Met, areas for big and little kids, bathrooms nearby. We usually go here after a trip to the museum if it’s nice outside, and it’s always a good time.
- Diana Ross Playground. Convenient location near AMNH, wooden playground, lots of sand, great for small kids. Opposite Hecksher, this one was a bigger hit when our child was a bit younger and we’ve started to come here less.
Central Park Must-Dos Map
Tips for using this map
- To view the map in Google Maps, click the expand icon on the top right corner.
- Click the star icon to save the map to your Google account for later. To access the map next time, open Google Maps > click the Saved tab > click Maps.
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