How to Visit Central Park

New York City is a sprawling wonderland of tall buildings and bustling streets, but some consider its heart to be Central Park. At the very center of Manhattan is 843 acres of nature, museums, and activities. Meander through meadows, up...

Part 1 of 4:

Getting to the Park

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    Arrive during park hours. Central Park opens to the public at 6:00am and closes at 1:00am, and there is no fee to get in. Thousands of tourists and locals visit the park each day, so arrive early in the day or after dinner if you want to avoid the congestion.
    1. The park is open 365 days a year.
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    Travel via subway for a cheap, fast commute. New York has one of the best subway systems in the United States, maybe even the world! It might not be the cleanest, but no matter where you are, odds are you're within walking distance of a station. Take the subway to Central Park to avoid traffic.
    1. Plan your route ahead of time to make sure you get there as efficiently as possible.[1]
    2. The closest stop to the American Museum of Natural History is 81st Street/Natural History Museum, which you can get to using the C and B trains.
    3. The closest stop to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the 86th Street/Lexington Ave, which uses the 4, 5, and 6 trains.
    4. The closest stop to the Central Park Zoo is 5th Avenue station, accessible through the N, R, and W trains.
    5. Pay attention to train delays and station closures. Visit the Metro Transit Authority's service alert website to make sure your trip will go smoothly.[2]
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    Take a taxi to avoid crowed subway cars. The subway isn't for everyone, and that's okay! The taxis in New York are very efficient, but they can also be expensive. There are a lot of people in a relatively small city, and high demand creates high prices.
    1. Stand outside your hotel or apartment and wave down a yellow car, just like in all those movies about New York!
    2. A ride-sharing service might a cheaper option. Uber and LYFT are very common in large cities.
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    Walk to the park if you're staying nearby. This might only make sense if you're staying within a mile of the park. For anything other then Upper East Side or Upper West Side, you're better off taking public transportation or a car.
    1. New York is a very walkable city, though. It's not that big, and there's something to see on practically every corner.
    2. If you do walk to the park, stick to well-lit and well-populated streets.
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    Drive yourself if you want more freedom. If you live in the city or if you have a rental car, it might make sense to drive there. You can work around your schedule and don't have to trust someone else to get you there safely.
    1. Cars are not allowed in Central Park proper, but you can drive around the perimeter.
    2. Street parking may be difficult, but there are many parking garages nearby.[3] Metered parking in the area is $3.50 per hour. Ramps are around $20.00 for the first hour, and up to $40.00 for an entire day.
Part 2 of 4:

Getting around the Park

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    Walk to soak up the beauty and history. There are so many things to see and appreciate in Central Park, and walking is a great way to drink it all in. You'll navigate under bridges, along cobble paths, and you can meander wherever you want.
    1. The walkway around the reservoir is a wonderful, scenic path.
    2. There are 58 miles (93.3 km) of hiking trails.[4] Check out the routes on an official Central Park map, which you can pick up at a visitor center or view online.[5]
    3. Central Park is a relaxing place to walk, but it's 2.5 miles (4 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide.[6] Just keep in mind that you might not be able to see everything in one day.
    4. Try not to walk around Central Park late at night, as there are occasional muggings. Just keep aware of your surroundings.
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    Use a bike to see more in less time. Enjoy the scenery as you pedal at your own pace.[7] Make sure you stay in designated bike paths and follow all the rules set by the park.[8]
    1. Adult and kid bikes start at $15 per hour, $40 for a full day.
    2. Tandem bikes start at $40 per hour, $140 for a full day.
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    Take a horse-drawn carriage ride to feel fancy. This might be one of the most iconic things to do in Central Park. Rent a carriage with a loved one or a friend and see the park from a different angle.[9]
    1. Find the horses lined up along Central Park South, between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue.
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    Run or jog to see the sights while getting some exercise. Make use of the 1.66 miles (2.67 km) of running paths that take you past Jacqueline Kennedy Reservoir and other landmarks. There are several routes that range in difficulty, so this is a great option for everyone![10]
Part 3 of 4:

Finding some Food

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    Find a pushcart vendor to get food on the go. Street food is an essential New York experience, and Central Park is no exception. Food trucks aren't allowed within the park itself, but you can certainly find pushcart vendors along every path.[11]
    1. Usually pushcart vendors only offer snacks like ice cream or pretzels, so this might not be the best option for a real meal.
    2. Because Central Park is a popular destination, vendor prices can be high.
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    Stop by a café for a quick snack. Cafés are more casual than full-service restaurants, perfect for a quick bite and a quick stop in at the restroom.
    1. Ballfields Café has sandwiches, salads, and a variety of food that fits the sporty theme. It's close to the carousel and looks out over the baseball field.[12]
    2. The Dancing Crane Café is a part of the Central Park Zoo, so it's ideal if you plan on checking out the zoo as well.[13]
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    Visit a restaurant for a longer break. Take breather from wandering around one of the best parks in the world and get a bite. If you have some time to spare, visit one of the more traditional restaurants.
    1. Krebs Boathouse is a gorgeous brick building with a copper roof. Grab a bite here to look out over the famous model boat pond.[14]
    2. The Tavern on the Green offers a cool New York vibe in a historical building.[15]
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    Bring a picnic. If you don't want to worry about getting a table or the sometimes insane prices of New York food, just bring a picnic! Pack your favorite transportable dishes, a drink, and a blanket to sit down on.
Part 4 of 4:

Seeing the Landmarks

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    Make the most of the museums. New York has so much to offer, including some wonderful museums. Central Park is home to a few great options, though it may take more than one day to visit them all.
    1. The American Museum of Natural History is perhaps the most popular, for both children and adults. Learn about space, animals, and human history. Stop by in winter to see the Butterfly Conservancy.[16]
    2. Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see a real Van Gogh and other works of notable fine art.[17]
    3. The Frick Collection has fascinating art and artifacts from history as well as modern photography and paintings.[18]
    4. Buy your tickets online to avoid long lines.
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    Lay out at Sheep Meadow. It's a wide-open stretch of rolling hills that's perfect for lounging and people watching. Sheep Meadow may be one of the most crowded locations, but definitely try to find a spot to sit. The contrast between flat green grass and looming skyscrapers is striking.[19]
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    Observe the Bethesda Fountain. A patina Angel of Waters stands in the middle of the Bethesda Terrace, commemorating the Croton water system, which first brought water to New York in 1842. The history may not sound that magical, but the view certainly is![20]
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    See the animals at the Central Park Zoo. Kids and adults can enjoy strolling past exotic animals from temperate, polar, and tropical zones. The sea lions are a crowd favorite, especially when they do tricks for food. There's also an aquarium filled with colorful fish.[21]
    1. The zoo is open from late March through early November.
    2. Hours are 10:00am – 5:00pm on weekdays, and until 5:30pm on weekends.
    3. Feeding times for the sea lions are 11:30am, 2:00pm, and 4:00pm.
    4. Children can interact with farm animals in the Children's Zoo. Open April through October.
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    Rent a boat. Row around Central Park Lake and get closer to egrets, herons, and loons. Visit Loeb Boathouse to get a boat of your own and set sail on the surreal, green waters.
    1. There are 100 boats in total, and each can hold 4 people.
    2. Rates start at $15 per hour.
    3. Boating hours are from 10:00am – 6:00pm. Get there early or later to avoid crowds.
Update 24 March 2020
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