Central Park
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An oasis of green in the center of Manhattan’s bright lights and skyscrapers, Central Park is a cultural and recreational landmark. The park’s construction began in 1858 with the aim of creating a rural escape for urban citizens. It was not only an ambitious plan for its era, but one of the first city parks of its kind in America.
Today, the world around the park has changed, and there are many new attractions hidden between the trees and open fields, but its intentional design has stood the test of time. With 843 acres, it has plenty of space for quirky, hidden gems to hide. Scavenger hunts for these secrets attract tourists and locals alike.
You’ve probably already seen parts of Central Park. It appears in films like "John Wick," television shows like "Doctor Who," and more romantic comedies than you’d believe. You might recognize the Mall’s long promenade or the Bethesda fountain from some of some of your favorite flicks. Many tourists come to walk in the footsteps of their favorite characters and take snapshots to line up with scenes from the silver screen, and many tours approach the park through the eyes of Hollywood films.
How to Get There
The closest cities are Jersey City, Hoboken and New Rochelle. Visit Central Park via New York La Guardia Airport, Newark Airport, or New York JFK Airport, and take a taxi, bus, rideshare, or subway lines 1, 2, A, and C.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Central Park
Visit Central Park
Central Park has a little bit of everything. There’s the Central Park Zoo, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a puppet theater, lakes for fishing, lakes for remote controlled sailboats, ball fields, playgrounds, and entire woodlands. The park is also bursting with art. Statues, monuments, and busts honor figures ranging from Fredrick Douglas to Robert Burns. Cats, Mother Goose, and Alice in Wonderland inspire the imagination, and the Bethesda Fountain has become an icon of the silver screen.
Central Park has something to offer in every season, but New York City has dramatic seasonal weather changes. Spring and autumn are the most popular times to visit not only because of the weather, but because of the park’s changing colors. In spring, it is filled with flowers. In autumn, the trees become a rainbow of red, orange, and gold colors.
Ticket Information
Central Park itself has no tickets or fees, but some individual attractions do. The Central Park Zoo requires day-specific tickets bought online in advance. Adult tickets cost $19.95 and children's admission is $14.95. The carousel costs approximately $3.25 per person per ride and must be paid in cash. The Metropolitan Museum of art charges $30 for adults and welcomes children under 12 for free.
Family-Friendly Options
Some attractions are open year-round. The Central Park Zoo has a great children’s area, including a petting zoo. If your kids prefer their animal friends a little wilder, the Turtle Pond is bursting with its namesake. The carousel is a Central Park staple, and the 50 galloping horses enchant visitors of all ages.
One of the best seasonal activities in the park, Conservatory Water’s electric sailboat rentals are instant memory makers. You might recognize the scene from Stuart Little. It’s a classic bit of fun for the whole family.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
The park is longer than it is wide, so one of the easiest ways to see as much as possible without ping-ponging around the map is to start at one of the north or south entrances and work your way down one side of the park, then work your way back on the far side. Highlight attractions in the center of the park based on which side they’re closest to and add them to your route. There are lots of useful, official maps online that can even help you plan bathroom and dining breaks. Don't forget to snap photos along the way!
To see all there is to see, you’ll need to cover ground quickly, and Central Park offers official bike rentals to make that easier. You can reserve a bike ahead of time on the official park website to save money and secure your wheels for the day. Adult bikes start at $15, and while each rental includes a helmet and bike lock, you can rent additional gear like baskets, child seats, trailers, and tagalong extensions. If bikes aren’t your thing, consider an electric scooter, or spring for an official horse and carriage tour.
If you want insights into the park’s history and lots of fun facts, download the Bloomberg Connects app before your visit. Central Park offers digital guides through the free app. These cover key locales like Belvedere Caste and Seneca Village, but the digital audio tours also lead guests through various landscapes around the park with expert insights from conservators and historians. It’s easy to explore at your own pace, and it’s free, so its suits any budget.
Central Park Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
Beaver Pond Campground at Harriman State Park is just a 45-minute drive from Yonkers. This campground offers spacious sites that can comfortably accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. At different points throughout the park, you can experience the tural beauty provided by the Lower Hudson Valley.
Sun Air Lakeside Campground is a Jersey City, New Jersey campground that offers relief from the busy city life. Situated beside Dogwood Pond in Oak Ridge, New Jersey, this park allows extended stays in a peaceful environment. The local town of Oak Ridge provides many of the amenities absent in the park itself, including restaurants, theaters, laundromats, and stores.
There is one Jersey City, New Jersey campground within the confines of the city. Liberty Harbor Marina & RV Park is a must-visit location for anyone interested in U.S. history. From this RV park, you can see the New York skyline, including the Statue of Liberty.
Activities Near Central Park
Things to Do
Manhattan Attractions
Set in the heart of Manhattan, Central Park rests in the middle of the action. Nearby attractions feature the best of the Big Apple, including the Empire State and Chrysler buildings, historic Harlem, Madame Tussauds, Broadway, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty.
Brooklyn Activities
In Brooklyn, Prospect Park offers even more opportunities to get out and about just a stone’s throw from wonderful cultural sites like the Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Pelham Bay Park, the city’s largest with 2772 acres, offers hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, which requires a license.
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
The weather in New York fluctuates from mid-80’s in the summer to mid-30’s in the winter. The city likes to break its averages, too, with surprising heat waves and snow-dropping winter storms. So, packing really depends on the season. It’s a good idea to layer sweaters and long-sleeved shirts under your coat in the winter, and light layers in the summer can help fend off the evening chill without suffocating you as you bike through around the lakes and woodlands. Either time of year, comfortable and supportive athletic shoes can add miles to your adventure. Breathable and waterproof shoes are even better for handling snow or surprise rain showers.
Safety & Accessibility
While you may be tempted to score the ultimate aerial shot for your vacation reel, leave the drone at home. They’re one of the few things officially banned in the park. Alcohol and all forms of smoking are also banned. Cyclists can only use certain paths in the park, and some paths are one-way. There’s also a counter-clockwise flow of traffic cyclists must follow, and cyclists must always yield to pedestrians.
The park makes a point of creating an inclusive environment for all guests. All public bathrooms are wheelchair accessible, and there’s a special map on the official park website with trail recommendations and notes for visitors with mobility aids.
Conclusion
Central Park is one of the greatest parks in the country. Packed with history, scenic views, and little surprises, it’s a wonderful place to wander with friends or explore with kids. You’ll find something to love in this haven of green celebrated by locals and tourists alike. Continue your journey by visiting even more exciting attractions throughout the United States.
FAQ
There aren’t readily available camping options in Manhattan. However, there are campgrounds and RV parks in other parts of the city and directly across the river in New Jersey.
Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult to park an RV anywhere near Central Park. It’s better to leave your RV at the campground and take advantage of the city’s public transportation services.
It’s easy to underestimate Central Park’s scale. While a couple guided tours and photo ops can show you the most popular highlights, you will need multiple days to take in everything it has to offer.
The park has tons of family-friendly adventures, including playgrounds, a zoo and a marionette theater. Park amenities, like bathrooms with changing tables, are also designed for families.
Pets on leashes are welcome in the park between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and there are also special off-leash hours from 6 to 9 a.m. Some areas of the park, including playgrounds, volleyball courts, and other recreational facilities are off-limits for pets. There’s even a special map on the official website for dog owners.