New York City Travel Guide - MustSeeNewYork.com

Central Park Guide - New York City

Central Park is an oasis of green in the middle of New York City with over 800 acres of scenic views, playgrounds and ponds. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, it was the first landscaped park in the United States.

It's a great place if you want to take a break from the busy city. There are bike and Jogging Trails, Athletic Fields, and a Boathouse. You can even find a skating rink among the skyscrapers of the Big Apple (Wollman Rink recently restored by Donald Trump). Wollman Rink can be accessed from Grand Army Plaza (East 59th Street and Central Park South) and is located between the Dairy to the north and the Pond. (Nov - March / Rentals are available). Bethesda Fountain is located by the Mall and near the lake.

The Water Conservatory plays host to model boat races during the summer. There is a Wildlife Center and a Conservatory as well as actual stone Castle (Belvedere Castle). Visitors can get a free guided tour at the Conservancy. Start your trip to the park with a visit to "The Dairy" which is the home of the visitors center. It is a good place to get the latest info on current park events.

While in the park be sure to visit "Strawberry Fields", the memorial to late Beatle, John Lennon. Located on the south side of the park this 2.5-acre tear-drop-shaped landscape features a reproduction of a mosaic from Pompeii - a gift from Naples, Italy with a single word IMAGINE. The famous Tavern on the Green Restaurant is also right in the Park.

Learn more about the Park

Central Park Map
Central Park Tours Guide.

More NYC Parks and Gardens

Dining in the Park

Central Park offers a variety of locations for park goers to pick up a snack or sit down to a formal dinner.

Outdoor Concession Stands Around the Park:

Wollman Rink, East 63rd Street Mid-Park
Leaping Frog Café, across from the Arsenal, East 64th Street at Fifth Avenue
Kerbs Ice Cream Café at Conservatory Water, East 74th Street near the Perimeter
Ferrara Italian Café at Merchants' Gate, West 61st Street and Central Park West
Ballplayers House, 65th Street at Mid-Park next to the Carousel

Full Service Restaurants in the Park:

Sheep Meadow Café at Mineral Springs, East 69th Street at the East Drive, offers a more casual dining experience.
Le Pain Quotidien at Mineral Springs Pavilion near 69th Street serves soups, salas and sandwiches and offers an outside terrace.
Loeb Boathouse, East 74th Street at the East Drive, offers a full menu and service al fresco. phone: 212-517-2233

Dining Outside the Park

Name	Location	Phone
The Oak Room	768 5th Avenue	212-758-7777
Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel	768 5th Ave	212-546-5311
South Gate Restaurant	154 Central Park South	212-484-5120

Central Park South Restaurant Directory

NYC Neighborhoods

Central Park Map

Central Park So. Hotel Guide

Central Park So. Hotels Map

Kid Pick

If you have Kids there is no better place in the city to have fun then in Central Park. The park runs a number of playgrounds, workshops, exhibits and events. Check out the Official Central Park website and get the latest schedule and events. When your done have ice cream at Serendipity 3 located at 225 East 60th Street, between 2nd & 3rd Avenues