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Nature · New York

Central Park Guide 2026 | Best Things to See & Do, New York

The Lake in Central Park lined with trees, with Bow Bridge in the distance on a sunny spring day
Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

By Emma · Updated · 2 min read

TL;DR
  • Free to enter, open from early morning until late evening
  • The southern half has most of the famous sights
  • Hire a bike or rowing boat to cover more ground
  • Autumn colours peak around late October to early November
Type
Nature
Where
New York
Time needed
2-4 hours (or a full day)
Admission
free

Central Park opened in the late 1850s, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux as a place where New Yorkers of every background could escape the city. Today it covers 843 acres (341 hectares), runs from 59th Street to 110th Street and attracts tens of millions of visits a year. Every trip to New York should include at least a morning here.

What you'll see

Most first-time visitors focus on the southern half:

  • Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, with the Angel of the Waters statue and an ornate arcade overlooking the Lake.
  • Bow Bridge, the cast-iron bridge across the Lake that appears in countless films.
  • The Mall and Literary Walk, a grand avenue shaded by American elm trees.
  • Strawberry Fields, the memorial to John Lennon near West 72nd Street, with its Imagine mosaic.
  • Belvedere Castle, a miniature castle with views over Turtle Pond and the Great Lawn.
  • Sheep Meadow, a vast lawn for picnics with skyline views.

Further north, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir has a popular 2.5km running track, and the Conservatory Garden and the wooded North Woods feel far from the city. The Metropolitan Museum of Art sits on the park's eastern edge.

Practical information

  • Admission: free. The park is open daily from 6am to 1am. Some attractions, such as the Central Park Zoo and the boathouse rowing boats, charge.
  • Getting there: subway stations line both sides. 59 St-Columbus Circle and 5 Av/59 St are handy for the south end, and 72 St and 81 St-Museum of Natural History for the west side.
  • Getting around: walk, hire a bike or join a pedicab tour. Car traffic is banned on the park drives.
  • Best time to go: spring for blossom and autumn for fall colours. Summer brings free concerts and Shakespeare in the Park; winter can bring ice skating and snowy scenes.

Pick up a free map or download the Central Park Conservancy's app. The paths wind deliberately, and it's surprisingly easy to lose your bearings.

Pair a morning in the park with a ferry to the Statue of Liberty another day, and see our USA guide for wider trip ideas.

Where is Central Park?

Open in OpenStreetMap · 40.78222, -73.96528

Frequently asked questions

Is Central Park free?

Yes. Entry is free. You only pay for extras like the zoo, boat hire, bike rental or guided tours.

How long does it take to walk across Central Park?

The park is about 4km long and 800m wide. Walking from end to end takes roughly an hour without stops.

Is Central Park safe?

During the day it is busy and generally safe. After dark, stick to well-lit, busier paths, as you would in any big city park.

Written by

Emma City breaks & deals editor

Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.

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Opening times and ticket prices change often; check the official website shortly before you visit.