What to Do in Central Park | New York City

Prior to my trip to NYC, everything I knew about Central Park was based on movies and news headlines. This trip changed all of that. Going into it, I thought Central Park was a scary place. It thought it was unsafe and maybe not even worth seeing.

I’m so glad I talked myself into going and checking it out! New York City’s Central Park is absolutely stunning. It has miles of walking trails (even some with elevation), a carousel, a castle, row boats, and even a zoo! We spent a few hours exploring Central Park and we’re so glad we did!

Here’s a few of our favorite parts of Central Park:

Central Park Zoo

This 5-acre escape from the city (but still very much in the middle of it) is a favorite for kids and adults alike. Here, you can see tropical birds, lemurs, penguins and puffins, red pandas, and even a petting zoo.

If you don’t want to pay for the park (or don’t have enough time to explore it), you can actually see the sea lions get fed from just outside the park at an overlook. They’re fed daily at 11:30a, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm.

If you’re watching the sea lions, make sure to look over to your right and check out the Delacorte Clock. This art piece plays an automated musical parade of animals every half hour from 8am to 6pm and features two bronze monkeys hammering a bell at the top, while six sculpted animal figures rotate on a track below. During December, it switches it up and plays holiday carols instead.

Central Park Boat House

This iconic restaurant has been featured in many movies and features a casual elegant atmosphere. You can also rent a row boat for $25 an hour and have a quintessential NYC experience for up to 4 people and see the New York City skyline from the viewpoint of the lake.

Walking & Biking

This is no ordinary walking path. The main running and biking path is more like a 6 lane highway! It’s got a lot of people on it – all going in the same direction – and crossing it feels like a game of frogger. You can rent a bike and see Central Park from the bike seat or run around it.

But, if you need a break from the city hustle and bustle and need some nature walks in your life, Central Park has it. Aside from the main path is all sorts of other off-the-beaten-paths. These walkways are gravel and are more suitable for a stroll through the park.

Bethesda Fountain & Terrace

First of all, this area of the park is absolutely gorgeous. Second, if it looks familiar to you, it’s because it has been used in countless movies and tv shows – like Home Alone 2!

The Bethesda Terrace design celebrates the 1842 opening of the Croton Aqueduct, which brought fresh, safe drinking water to New York City. The Arcade area allows visitors to walk beneath a stunning ceiling featuring nearly 16,000 handmade Minton tiles in complex geometric patterns. It’s absolutely mesmerizing in person!

Atop the Bethesda Fountain is the Angel of Waters bronze fountain which was the city’s first major public art commission awarded to a woman in 1873. Unfortunately it was under maintenance when we visited, so it doesn’t probably look very grand, but it was neat to see nonetheless.

Vendors & Artists

All around Central Park, you’ll find vendors and artists of all kinds. You can grab a drink or snack, get your portrait drawn, listen to some musical artists, or even get a limerick written about yourself. I’m not quite sure about that one.

Belvedere Castle

Just when you think you’ve seen it all in Central Park, you come across Belvedere Castle. Yes, there’s a real castle right in the middle of Central Park – about a block from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This Gothic-Romanesque structure in Central Park is a scenic lookout, visitor center, and official weather station. The view from above providers visitors with an eagle-eye view of Central Park and it’s just plain fun to say you’ve been in a castle in New York City.

One last thing I thought was interesting is that Central Park is the most widely used film and tv location in all of New York City. Why you ask? Because as long as no tripods or light stands are used, it is free for filmmakers to use the park grounds without a permit or paying to use the space. I guess that’s why we’ve seen it a lot over the years!