It’s 843 acres and quite possibly the most famous city park in the world. Visitors and residents alike love the effect of skyscrapers towering over green stretches of grass and trees and picnic grounds. This and so much more makes Central Park a must-see stop on your group’s New York City tour. Here are some of the fun Central Park activities to consider.
Central Park Movie Walking Tour
On Location Tours offers this guided tour of Central Park based on many of the movies that have filmed there. You’ll see locations from classics and popular new films. It’s a fun way to get to know the park with a theme that should ring familiar.
Central Park Zoo
Everyone enjoys the sea lions, polar bears, penguins, and more through the many habitats featured in the Central Park Zoo.
Trump-Wollman Rink / Victorian Gardens
This iconic skating rink is a New York City classic. In the summer, it’s converted to a carnival for children.
Carriage Rides
A horse-drawn carriage is always a charming way to tour the park.
Rowboats or Gondolas
You can rent row boats from the Boat house or consider the romantic gondolas for another festive Central Park experience.
Sightseeing
Explore the park on your own (but be sure to use a map!) and discover its manicured lawns and gardens, its statues, bridges, and fountains. Some fun Central Park sites include the Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Terrace, and the view from Gapstow Bridge. For more surprising terrain, try the less kempt wooded areas known as the Ramble.
Audio Tour
Visit Central Park attractions with celebrities as your guides! Throughout the park you’ll find signs with a number to dial from your cell phone. Once connected, you simply choose the menu option for the attraction, and a celebrity voice offers narration based on what you’re seeing. You’ll hear from people like Sarah Jessica Parker, Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kevin Bacon, and many more. The narratives are a couple minutes long. The speaker often has a personal connection to the site they describe, and they offer history and tons of trivia as well.
