Any standard trip from a tourist to New York City will likely to involve a trip to Central Park. It’s featured in television shows and movies, making it instantly recognizable. Plus, if you’ve gone up one of New York’s many tall towers, the emerald beacon in the middle of the city is hard to miss. It’s iconic and there’s plenty of reasons to visit.

You might even be surprised by how many.

So, once you’re there, how do you see everything there is to see in Central Park? We’ll go over some of the highlights, but you can also check out the map below to see just how much there is for you to explore. In general, for hiking, the area north of the reservoir is your best bet. If you want to see more well-known / touristy places, it’ll be the southern points. Surrounding Central Park will be museums and notable sights on every side.

In no particular order, let’s go over some of the sights to see when visiting Central Park.

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The Mall & Literary Walk

The Mall is a tree-lined piece of paradise within the greenery of Central Park. At the southern end, you’ll find the Literary Walk.

Aptly named, Literary Walk features statues dedicated to famous authors & poets from history. This is a long stretch and even more beautiful in the fall when the trees are beginning to change. Though, a fair warning that this might be later than you’re expecting given the way weather has been changing these days. These statues include figures like Robert Burns and Shakespeare, but part of the fun of discovering it for the first time is finding out what other statues await.

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The Ramble

This is an area that’s made for long walks. With 36 acres to traverse, you won’t run out of areas to explore. This area is in the middle of the park, located between 73rd and 79th. This is where you can find winding paths in the woodlands. It’s a personal favourite of mine when it’s fall and the colours have started to change. It’s also a fairly peaceful part of the park, as it isn’t as popular as other sections.

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Strawberry Fields

This one might be extremely familiar to a Beatles fan. It’s a memorial to John Lennon found just off 72nd Street. If you do intend to visit, you won’t be alone. This is a super popular stop and typically always has a crowd. If you want to pay your respects without fighting for space, try going earlier in the morning to beat the rush.

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Central Park Zoo

While the Central Park Zoo isn’t free, it’s a fun little excursion, especially if you have kids. Accessible from 5th Avenue, the zoo will only take an hour or two to explore. It’s a unique experience in New York City to stumble onto a zoo and be able to reach the concrete jungle within minutes. Don’t expect too much big game here, but I personally love the penguins and sea lion pool the most.

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The Lake

Whether you want some pictures with an iconic skyline backing it or you want to take a rowboat out, the lake is where you’ll do both of those things. For pictures, there are multiple access points, but coming at it from the North will get you more of the skyline for pictures. The boats are accessible near the Southeast area of the lake (close to the Bethesda fountain). Now, there’s also a reservoir, so make sure you’re aware that there are actually two bodies of water in Central Park.

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Carousel

Another great option for the kids is the carousel! This is an indoor attraction that can be found closer to the 59th street access, right in the middle of the park. It does cost a little extra money, but is a classic that’s been around over 100 years (restored in the last few decades). Currently, it’s $4 per ride, but it’s a fun diversion especially if you have kids.

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Ice Skating in Winter

If it’s winter, you can rent a pair of skates (or bring your own) and get some time on the rink. This is a very seasonal option, but it’s an iconic destination. You can skate at Wollman Rink, but keep in mind that skate rental is on top of your admission — and because it’s so popular, this can sell out. If this is something you’re determined to do, check the calendar to see how crowded it’ll be during your visit.

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Pond

I mentioned the lake and the reservoir earlier, but there’s one more water-based activity and that’s at the pond. This one is at 5th and 74th and where you can rent a model sailboat to play around with the remote-controlled toy on the pond. It’s a great place for kids and even fun for adults to sit and watch for a little while, but once again, the rentals cost money. If you want a more frugal day, you might do a quick stop here instead.

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Belvedere House

Did you expect to find a mini castle in Central Park? It’s one more reason why this park is full of surprises. This sits atop Vista Rock and while it may look mini from the south, approaching from the North really gives you an idea of how impressive it is.

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Shakespeare Garden

This is one of the less popular areas in the fall/winter, but when everything is in bloom, this is a great diversion in the park. It’s not a very crowded area because it’s more of a low-lying garden than a bunch of roses and massive plants. Still, it’s a beautiful 4-acre little spot that’s great for fans of the Bard as you explore plants mentioned in his works.

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Bethesda Fountain

The chances are that you’ve seen Bethesda Terrace and Fountain before. It’s in countless television shows and movies. At this point, it may be the most iconic Central Park figure that people associate with the park. It’s for good reason.

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Museum Mile

We’re still not done. There’s even more to see when you’re conquering Central Park. Only a walk away on 5th Avenue is Museum Mile — which are the museums on 5th between 110th and 82nd Street. That includes the iconic Metropolitan, the Guggenheim Museum, Neue Galerie, El Museo del Barrio, the National Design Museum, and more!

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So with all that in mind, conquering Central Park is now your adventure to take on. Where will you head first? What will you explore? There’s something for everyone. Check out the Central Park website for more details and to help plan your trip!

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