Visiting Central Park is something that should be on everyone’s list of things to do in Manhattan, especially if you’re a budget traveller. This massive green escape in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world spans over 800 acres. It’s so big, in fact, that it’s significantly larger than both Monaco and Vatican City. Due to its vast size, I’m sure you can already imagine how many incredible Central Park attractions are just waiting to be visited.
The history of Central Park started in 1858, when it opened to the public as the first major landscaped public park in the US. It was designed to give all social classes in New York City a space to enjoy nature and relax, at a time when the city was rapidly growing. The land was originally swampy and rocky, with a few small communities living there at the time too. What looks like a natural landscape is in fact a beautifully engineered green space that took a lot of time and effort to complete.
It’s very easy to spend an entire day, or more, exploring all that Central Park has to offer. But, if you only have a few hours to spare in one of the world’s most iconic parks, you’ll still be able to see a good amount of Central Park attractions.
When is the best time to visit Central Park?
Central Park is busy throughout the year, but the spring and autumn is when it really comes to life. Between April and June visitors can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms and other plants that are starting to bloom. The weather is comfortable at this time of the year as well, and everything looks very fresh and vibrant. The autumn is when the stunning darker shades emerge on the leaves, transforming the park into an even more picturesque green space. Areas such as the Ramble and The Mall are particularly pretty at this time of the year, and the temperatures are starting to cool down again following the summer months.
If you’re planning to explore the Central Park attractions in the summer, you’ll find that it’s the best time to take part in outdoor activities such as boat rides and picnics. There’ll also be a lot of performances taking place which is always nice to see. However, New York City can get very hot and crowded in the summer, which is something to take into account.
The opposite can be said for winter, when temperatures are known to plummet below freezing. Winter is a much quieter time to visit Central Park though, and many people enjoy ice skating and participating in other winter activities with family and friends. Whatever time of the year you decide to visit Central Park, you’re sure to enjoy the attractions as well as whatever activities are happening.
Taking a guided tour of Central Park
One of the best ways to not miss out on important Central Park attractions is to join a walking tour. We chose the Central Park guided tour that’s run daily by Manhattan Walking Tour. This tour lasts for around 90 minutes, and during this time you’ll explore a small corner of Central Park while learning all about the key attractions and what makes this enormous park so popular with locals and tourists alike.
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and engaging, which made the tour a lot more fun than we were expecting. With over 150 years worth of history to get through in under 2 hours, you’ll hopefully finish the tour knowing a bit more about the park than you did before! During the tour we visited Central Park attractions like The Mall, Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, and Bow Bridge, and the tour is done at a leisurely pace so you can enjoy your surroundings too.
I’d highly recommend taking a guided tour of Central Park if you’re short on time and you want to learn more about Manhattan’s iconic green space. There’s a lot more to Central Park than meets the eye, and you’ll probably visit attractions you didn’t know about before.
Top 8 Central Park attractions to visit
1. Bethesda Fountain
If there’s one Central Park attraction you need to take a photo with, it’s Bethesda Fountain. This is one of the park’s most prominent landmarks. It’s located on the lower level of Bethesda Terrace, where you can often find all types of singers and artists performing. At the very heart of the fountain stands the Angel of the Waters statue, which was designed in 1868 and was the first major public artwork to be commissioned from a woman.
The statue symbolizes healing and purity, and it commemorates the opening of an aqueduct that brought fresh water into New York City in the 19th century. Surrounding the fountain is Bethesda Terrace which is known for its grand staircase, tiled ceiling, and beautiful views over the lake. This entire area is very popular with photographers, and you’ve no doubt seen it in several film scenes too.
2. The Literary Walk
The only formal promenade in Central Park is The Mall, and it runs right up to Bethesda Terrace. Part of this promenade is known as The Literary Walk, which is lined by beautiful trees and statues of literary greats such as Walter Scott and William Shakespeare. The Mall was originally designed as an elegant space for the higher classes of society to stroll, and today it’s still used by people for relaxing walks, but you’ll also find street performers, vendors, and film crews here from time to time.
3. Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument
One of the most overlooked Central Park attractions is the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument. It was unveiled in 2020 and depicts three well-known female figures in American history fighting for women’s equality. It’s the first statue in Central Park that depicts real women, and it’s located along The Literary Walk, between the male-dominated statues of writers. It’s a beautiful statue to admire, and it stands as a turning point for how women are represented in public spaces in the city, since they’re usually depicted as mythological beings.
4. Strawberry Fields
No trip to Central Park is complete without stopping at Strawberry Fields. This world-famous memorial to John Lennon is located only a few feet away from where he was shot in the Upper West Side, outside of the Dakota building. The Imagine mosaic was donated by the city of Naples in Italy and it’s surrounded by shaded trees and benches, making it a popular place to relax or reflect. The memorial often has flowers placed on it, and you’ll usually find an artist performing songs from The Beatles which adds to the oasis that this space was designed to be.
5. The Lake
If you’re looking for a picturesque spot in Central Park that has beautiful city views, I’d recommend a trip to The Lake. It’s a very popular spot for locals and visitors, and it sits between 72nd and 77th Streets, taking up approximately 20 acres within the park. The Lake is surrounded by pathways, trees, and several bridges that are popular for wedding photos. Nearby you’ll find Loeb Boathouse which is popular for boat rentals from spring to autumn.
The area around The Lake can get very busy in the peak season, so it’s always a good idea to arrive early in the morning, when you can enjoy the space without the crowds.
6. Bow Bridge
While you’re spending time at The Lake, you shouldn’t miss one of the most popular Central Park attractions – Bow Bridge. This bridge was built in the 1860s as the park’s first cast-iron bridge, and it’s known for its elegant design that resembles the shape of a bow. It connects the open landscape of Cherry Hill with the densely wooded Ramble, and it’s a favourite spot for wedding proposals as well as shooting movie scenes.
If you plan to rent a boat from Loeb Boathouse, you can pass under Bow Bridge as you make your way into the larger section of The Lake.
7. Cherry Hill
For the best view of The Lake and the city’s skyline, you’ll want to visit Cherry Hill. It’s located a short walk from Bow Bridge and it’s a popular spot to visit in the springtime when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
As well as the beautiful flowers, Cherry Hill is also known for its historic fountain which was designed to provide water for horses in the 19th century, with some intricate details added. If you look closely, you can see where parts of the fountain have worn down from hooves standing on it. This elevated spot on the hill provides the best view in Central Park, and it’s only a stone’s throw away from Strawberry Fields too.
8. Maine Monument
Located in the southwest corner of Central Park, at Columbus Circle, is the Maine Monument. It serves as one of the entrances to the park and it was erected in 1913 in honour of the American sailors who lost their lives in Havana Harbour in 1898. This event was the spark of the Spanish-American War.
The towering marble structure is topped with a bronze sculpture of Columbia Triumphant who’s riding a seashell chariot. This is meant to depict the naval power of America and its eventual victory. There are several other elaborate sculptures around the base of the monument that are worth looking more closely at too. The Maine Monument is one of the many important Central Park attractions that can easily be missed due to its location at the entrance of the park rather than inside of it.
Where to stay in Manhattan
Manhattan can be expensive to stay in, which is why planning ahead is so important. The earlier you’re able to book accommodation the better, but if you want to be somewhere central, then you’ll be looking at a higher price point. Luckily, there are some fantastic budget-friendly hotels in Manhattan to choose from.
We stayed at Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel which is a lovely boutique hotel located in a historic building, only a few minutes walk from Times Square. The location is perfect, and they offer both private and shared dorm rooms, depending on your preference. For the price and the location, it’d be difficult to find a better option for affordable accommodation in New York City.
Is Central Park in New York City worth visiting?
Central Park is one of the most magical places to walk around in New York City. There are a lot of Central Park attractions that can be visited throughout the year, and you’ll find plenty of seasonal activities taking place around the green space as well. Keep in mind, this park is huge, so it might be worth taking a guided tour of Central Park so you don’t miss out on some important landmarks. Alternatively, you can take your time exploring the park at your own pace. Either way, everyone should visit Central Park at least once.
If you have any questions about adding Central Park to your itinerary, or you’re not sure what Central Park attractions you should prioritize, please feel free to reach out. You can get in touch via email or through the contact form on my website. Don’t forget to check out my Instagram and TikTok pages as well, where I’m always sharing new travel tips and ideas about places to visit next.
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