Central Park
Central Park is one of those destinations that even locals never stop discovering. Although visitors might have limited time to explore it, it’s possible to see the main sights with careful planning.
Location
The park is located between W 59th St and W 110th St, and Central Park West and 5th Avenue. How do you get there? Just take a short walk from the Manhattan at Times Square or go by subway:
Line 1 (red) at 50th St to 59th Street/Columbus Circle to reach the south end of the park or continue to Central Park North (110th St) to reach the north end.
At Columbus Circle, transfer to Line B (orange) or C (blue) and get off at 72nd St, 81st St, 86th St, 96th Street, 103rd St or 110th St (west side).
If you would rather avoid transfers, walk to 50th St and 8th Avenue to take Line C or walk to 53rd St and 7th Avenue to take Line B.
Getting Around
Central Park is a maze. Follow these tips to avoid getting lost:
- Download the official Central Park map for free
- If you do get lost, identify the four-number code on lampposts: the first two numbers indicate the closest street and the last two numbers tell you if you are east (even numbers – 02, 04...) or west (odd numbers – 01, 03...). Some have the letters W, E or C, which mean West, East or Central. An example would be 7802 (78th St East) or W7807 (78th St West).
- If you want to save time, check out our guide to Picture Perfect NYC Spots and head straight to Central Park’s most photographed places
Year-Round Activities
Seasons dictate what can be done in Central Park, but visitors have plenty of options to choose from regardless of the time of year:
- Visit the Central Park Zoo
- Go biking or running
- Take a self-guided walking tour of the most beloved spots
- Horse-drawn carriages
Spring
Early spring might be chilly, but between April and May Central Park is splashed with color and blooming flowers:
- Hunt for spring blossoms
- Go bird watching and catch-and-release fishing
- Rent a rowboat in Loeb Boathouse
Summer
Be ready to spend most of your time outdoors during the summer months!
- Have a picnic in Great Lawn, Cherry Hill, Sheep Meadow or East Meadow
- Attend popular summer events: Central Park Conservancy Film Festival, Shakespeare in the Park or concerts at SummerStage
- Participate in free outdoor games and activities
Fall
Walking is the best way to admire the changing colors of Central Park’s trees:
- Go leaf peeping
- Run or watch the NYC Marathon in early November
- Carve a pumpkin for Halloween
Winter
Those who brave the weather in December and January will be rewarded with a frosted beauty that encompasses the entire park.
- Practice winter sports: sledding, ice skating, cross-country skiing
- Visit the Winter Jam festival
- Enjoy a cozy meal in the Loeb Boathouse restaurant
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Now that you are out and about, check out other attractions nearby the Manhattan - all within walking distance! To top it all off, your plush bed in our deluxe rooms and suites will be waiting for you when you return from your trek.