There are very few places in the world that are more instantly recognizable than Central Park, in the heart of New York City’s Manhattan district. Just a short walk from Times Square, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Broadway, and St Patrick’s Cathedral, Central Park is surrounded by iconic American attractions and sites of major cultural importance to the city. Spanning more than 840 acres, Central Park is bigger than the sovereign states of the Vatican and Monaco combined, and welcomes millions of tourists and city-weary local residents into its green embrace each year.
Created in the 19th Century as America’s first landscaped urban public park, Central Park contains native wildflower meadows, woodlands, lakes, and 58 miles of walking trails. Designed by architects Frederick Olmsted and Cavlert Vaux in 1858, some of the parklands most famous landmarks include Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, and the Sheep Meadow.
And the architects of Central Park were certainly perfectionists in their work; Frederick Olmsted insisted that the Sheep Meadow contained flocks of grazing sheep to give the park an authentic pastoral look, even in the middle of a city! Amazingly, these flocks of sheep continued to graze within the grounds of Central Park until the mid-1930s, when they were rehomed.
But the task of creating Central Park was monumental. During the construction, 20,000 workers moved more than 5 million cubic yards of earth, stone, and top soil, as well as constructing 36 arches and bridges, 11 overpasses above roads, and planting more than 500,000 trees, vines, and shrubs. In fact, very few visitors realize that all the landscapes in Central Park were entirely manmade by hand, without the use of any heavy machinery.
The sharp contrast between the park’s pastoral tranquility and the chaotic hustle and bustle of the city outside makes Central Park a rare find within the Big Apple’s city limits. Inside the park, visitors can stroll through the woods, cycle, take a short boat trip on the lake, ride a traditional horse and carriage, or simply sit on a bench and watch the world go by.
A beautiful landscape at the cultural nexus of the city, Central Park is one of New York’s favourite destinations for both visitors and the local residents.
How Do You Get To Central Park, New York, USA?
The easiest way for international visitors to reach New York is via John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK). This is the main travel gateway to New York from abroad, but you could also fly into LaGuardia Airport (LGA) or Newark International Airport (EWR), all of which service frequent flights from all around the world each day.
The average flight times to John F Kennedy International Airport from London are about 7 to 8 hours, 12 to 14 hours from Dubai, 20 to 22 hours from Sydney, 18 to 20 hours from Singapore, and about 5 hours from Los Angeles. There’s regular flights arriving in New York each day, so it’s worth hunting around a little between carriers because you can potentially save several hundred dollars on a discounted flight if you get lucky!
Once you touch down in John F Kennedy International Airport, the drive to Manhattan is around 20 miles but can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the city traffic and the time of day. The easiest way to get to your hotel is to simply jump in a taxi, directly from the airport. Try to avoid traveling during rush hour in New York because traffic can be pretty bad and you may end up stuck in the taxi in heavy traffic watching the meter tick up.
An ideal place to stay during your visit to New York and Central Park is in Midtown Manhattan. Neighbourhoods around the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and Columbus Circle all provide easy walking access to Central Park and countless other attractions in the area. There’s a really good selection of accommodation to choose from, as well as boutique stores, restaurants, art galleries, and museums, all within easy reach of Midtown Manhattan.
What’s The Best Time To Visit Central Park, New York?
Central Park is like a chameleon in the center of an urban jungle, completely transforming in each season. In the spring the wildflowers are blossoming and the air is crisp and fresh, there’s outdoor concerts in the summer, stunning foliage in the autumn, and magical snowy landscapes in the winter.
New York City has 4 distinct seasons each year, with each bringing its own atmosphere and sense of character to the park. As a result, the time of year that you chose to visit will be entirely dependent on the type of experience you’re seeking.
For instance, during the warm summer months, when temperatures range from 20 to 30 Degrees Celsius, Central Park is like a cool oasis in the city, away from the hot, humid, dusty grime of New York City. You can sit out on the grass and enjoy a picnic while listening to an outdoor concert; or, you can hike along the walking trails, explore the woodlands and boat on the lakes. Generally speaking, this is the most popular time to visit Central Park.
Meanwhile, the winter in Central Park brings Christmas markets, festive decorations, and the Wollman’s Rink where you can ice skate, have a warm drink, and soak in the seasonal atmosphere of the festivities. Temperatures during the winter tend to fluctuate between -5 and 10 Degrees Celsius, so you’ll definitely need to wrap up warm to enjoy the park.
The spring and autumn seasons experience pleasantly mild temperatures that range between 10 to 24 Degrees Celsius, with bright skies and scattered rain showers. Central Park explodes into colour during these seasons, with flowers in the spring and the bright red, yellow, and orange foliage of the leaves in the autumn.
Overall, the most popular time to visit Central Park is during the summer, although each season has its own merits. Furthermore, because the city can easily accommodate you at any time of the year, and transport to and from the park is rarely affected by weather conditions, you’ll always be able to visit Central Park, no matter when you visit the city.
Things to Do In and Around Central Park, New York City
Stay the Ritz Carlton New York, Central Park
Overlooking the southern side of Central Park, the 5 Star Ritz-Carlton hotel is one of the city’s most iconic residences. Situated right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the hotel boasts incredible amenities including the acclaimed La Prairie Spa, a fully equipped fitness center, valet parking, 24 hour concierge and room service, and the elegant Club Lounge. During the day you can also drop by the Ritz-Carlton’s Contour, a stylish lounge and dining venue that serves cocktails, afternoon refreshments, and light snacks in a relaxed setting.
The hotel’s varied rooms and suites feature opulent furnishings, spacious ensuite marble bathrooms with rain showers and separate soaking tubs, luxury toiletries and bathrobes. There’s also fast WiFi, USB charging ports beside the bed, air conditioning and climate control, a fully stocked minibar, safe, and twice daily housekeeping services. Many rooms even have views right across Central Park, with others enjoying views across the Manhattan skyline; while larger suites have comfortable seating and dining areas to create a home-from-home feel.
Ideal for couples, families with children, small groups and solo travelers, you can find out more about the Ritz-Carlton Central Park, and book your rooms, on the official website, here.
Set Off on a Self Guided Day Trip in Central Park, Manhattan, New York City
There’s no need to hire a guide to explore Central Park – you can simply pack a day bag and set out on a mini-adventure! Spanning more than 800 acres there’s a huge amount to explore, so you might find using the free PDF map of Central Park, provided by the Central Park Conservancy, helpful to navigate your route. Also, to help you get oriented in the park, you can start off your trip by stopping at one of the visitor center offices to pick up a map and get a few tips from the staff.
There’s lots to see, but some of the highlights that are definitely worth visiting include the Grand Army Plaza, Central Park Carousel, The Mall, Bethesda Terrace, Literary Walk and the Fountain, to name but a few. You can also stop by Strawberry Fields, named in memory of John Lennon, Belvedere Castle, Bow Bridge, and the Ramble’s winding hiking trails.
There’s playgrounds for children, countless beauty spots for photos, and lots of quiet corners where you can settle down and have a picnic in the pastoral surroundings. An enchanting day trip for families, small groups, couples, and solo urban explorers, setting foot in Central Park is like a choose-your-own-adventure book where you never quite know what’s around the next corner.
Take a Tour of Fifth Avenue and the Mansions of the Gilded Age
A great deal of New York’s splendor and wealth was amassed during the 18th Century Gilded Age; a time when the profits were huge for some of the nation’s top business leaders. And many of these industrial tycoons built spectacular mansions in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, as well as public monuments, parks, and cultural landmarks.
On this tour, you’ll visit ‘Millionaire’s Row’ and learn about some of the incredible stories behind the families that rose to the top of an extremely competitive market ecosystem. Led by a knowledgeable local New York guide, you’ll pass Fifth Avenue’s historic bookshops, single-family mansions, world famous art galleries and prestigious local landmarks. With vivid story telling, and fascinating scenery to absorb, this tour gives you a real glimpse into life for the New York elite during the very heights of the Gilded Age.
You’ll also get personal earpieces so you’ll hear every detail of the stories that the guide recounts. An ideal activity for history buffs, cultural vultures, and anyone who’d like to see the neighborhood where New York’s elite once thrived.
The tour meets at the statue of General T Sherman at 764 Doris C Freedman Place, just off Fifth Avenue between the 59th and 60th Streets – your waiting guide will be holding an ‘Untapped New York’ sign.
You can find out more about the tour’s itinerary, and book your places, here.
Take a Horse and Carriage Ride through Central Park
The horses and carriages of Central Park have featured in dozens of blockbuster movies as the ultimate symbol of romance in the Big Apple. So if you’re a couple in New York why jump aboard for a dreamy ride through Central Park? And if you’re just looking for a fun way to explore Central Park, then a horse and carriage ride is just what you’ve been looking for.
This 45 minute ride through the tree lined pathways and sweeping landscapes of Central Park is a magical way to see the park. The ride includes a photo stop, so you can save those memories for a lifetime in one of New York’s most picturesque locales. You’ll pass many of the park’s top attractions, including Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, and Strawberry Fields, as well as lots of other beautiful scenes.
Just remember to wear some warm clothes if you’re going in the winter because it can get very chilly in the back of the carriage when the temperatures are low. The horse and carriage rides start from 59th Street and 7th Avenue, and operate on a first come first serve basis.
You can find out more about the horse and carriage ride in Central Park, and reserve your spots, here.
Eat at the Per Se Restaurant, Columbus Circle, New York City
As one of New York’s most celebrated restaurants, the Per Se in Midtown Manhattan offers an exquisite fine dining experience for its guests. Opened in 2004 by the chef Thomas Keller, the restaurant has already earned 3 Michelin Stars for its beautifully composed French-inspired menu and wine list of more than 2,000 bottles. One of the most unique options on the Per Se menu is a nine-course chef’s choice tasting menu which is changed each day, meaning that no two dining experiences are ever quite the same.
Stylish and understated, the floor-to-ceiling windows frame aspirational views of Central Park and Manhattan, while the mellow interiors and crisp white table clothes create an atmosphere of theatrical anticipation. And some of the show stopping signature dishes at Per Se include butter-poached lobster, salmon cornet canapes, oysters, flame grilled steak, and delightful truffle deserts.
A wonderful restaurant for a romantic dinner, a special occasion or a celebration of your time in New York, a meal at Per Se restaurant is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience opulent New York cuisine at its very best. If you’re planning to dine at Per Se, then you’ll definitely need to book in advance to ensure you get a table at this popular local favourite.
You can find out what’s on the menu, check out the restaurant, and book your table, on the official website, here.
