Central Park Sightseeing Guided Hike

Central Park Power Hike

"The Serene Oasis" – Begin your tour at the Pond, the picturesque, man-made water body located at the southeastern corner of Central Park. Enjoy the peaceful environment, feed the ducks and swans, and don't forget to photograph the stunning Gapstow Bridge spanning this tranquil spot.

The smallest of the Park’s three woodland landscapes, the Hallett Nature Sanctuary offers visitors an intimate experience of nature just steps from the busy streets of midtown. Rustic trails wind up and down the hill, leading to various overlooks and sitting areas near the shore of the Pond. Originally called “The Promontory” by the Park’s designers, the rocky hill was a prominent feature in the landscape, but without any walking paths it was not a place that visitors could explore. In the 1930s, it was fenced off and designated a bird sanctuary. In 1986, it was renamed in honor of George Hervey Hallett, Jr., an activist, nature enthusiast, and birder.

Wollman Rink
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Ice Skating at Wollman Rink
Wollman Rink is a historic attraction and favorite event venue year-round.

Location: MAP | Enter at 59th Street and 5th or 6th Avenue
Contact: (833) 615-3500
Wollman Rink has been a favorite attraction for visitors since its opening in 1950.

In fall and winter, ice skating at the rink is one of the most popular things to do among New Yorkers and tourists alike. There's nothing quite like gliding across the ice beneath a starry sky, while surrounded by the splendor of the Manhattan skyline!

And in the warmer months when the rink is not in use for skating, it gets transformed into NYC's most iconic pickleball court location. With 14 new courts as part of a three-year collaboration with CityPickle which runs through 2026, Wollman Rink offers visitors a unique opportunity to participate in this popular sport!

About 250,000 people take a ride on the Central Park Carousel every year. The famous ride has been very popular since 1871 when the original attraction opened.
At first, the Carousel was not received positively; the park commissioners objected to having commercial enterprises in the park. However, since it was such a success there have been four different models on the site, each of which has served as a pastime in Central Park. A favorite of park-goers, the first Carousel remained in operation until 1924. It was powered by a mule and horse who walked in a hidden compartment underground below the attraction. The animals were trained to start and stop with a foot tap from the ride’s operator above ground.
The next two Carousels in the park were steam-powered and both destroyed by fire. In 1950, the Department of Parks and Recreation began to search for a replacement model, and they found one abandoned in an old trolley terminal in Brooklyn’s Coney Island.

The Dairy, a Victorian cottage designed by Calvert Vaux and built between 1869 and 1871, is at the heart of the Children’s District. As its name suggests, this charming structure was originally home to fresh milk and snacks for children and their caregivers. Families enjoyed refreshments under the Dairy’s loggia (open-air porch) and cool breezes from the nearby pond. The large rolling lawn in front of the Dairy provided a place for children to play.

The Dairy became Central Park's first visitor center in 1979 and was one of the first Conservancy restoration projects in the early 1980s. At that time, the building’s historic and colorful loggia was restored, which had been removed in the mid-20th century.

This expansive 15-acre field holds a rich history and continues to be a cherished haven for visitors from all walks of life.

Originally known as the "Commons," Sheep Meadow earned its current name during the 1860s when the park's designers envisioned a pastoral landscape where sheep could roam freely. While the days of grazing sheep have long passed, the meadow still carries the essence of its agricultural origins, inviting visitors to bask in its serene beauty.

As you step onto the expanse, you'll be greeted by a panoramic view of towering skyscrapers juxtaposed against the backdrop of nature. It's a remarkable sight, blending the urban energy of New York City with the calming embrace of the great outdoors.

"The Walkway of American Elms" – Stroll through the straight, tree-lined walkway known as the Mall, famous for its Quadruple Row of American Elm trees. This promenade is a gathering place for artists, musicians, and performers, providing a cultural, lively atmosphere that truly represents New York's diversity.

"The Heart of Central Park" – Discover Bethesda Terrace, a majestic two-tiered structure that houses the iconic Angel of Waters statue at the Bethesda Fountain. From the ornate carvings on the terrace to the breathtaking views of the lake, it offers a romantic and picturesque setting that's perfect for relaxation and photography.

"The Romantic Landmark" – Walk across the Bow Bridge, Central Park's most photographed and filmed cast-iron bridge, boasting a stunning view of the city skyline juxtaposed with the park's serene foliage. Enjoy its Victorian charm and picturesque vistas, making it an ideal spot for romance and leisurely strolls.

The lush Central Park woodland, known as the Ramble, is composed of 38 acres of winding pathways between 73rd and 78th streets. Described by Frederick Law Olmsted as a "wild garden", the Ramble's maze of trails amidst its abundant flora and fauna contrasts spectacularly with the formality of nearby attractions, such as the Bethesda Terrace. The Ramble is often noted for its bird-watching opportunities, where birdwatchers can catch a glimpse of some of the approximately 230 species found in the woods. Visitors can stop to take a look at the Gill, the man-made stream that runs through the Ramble.

"The Enchanting Lookout" – Visit the whimsical Belvedere Castle, a mini castle perched atop Vista Rock, offering panoramic views of the Great Lawn, Turtle Pond, and the Ramble. Inside, it's a nature observatory, where visitors can learn about the park's wildlife and take part in bird-watching activities.

Evocative of an English cottage garden, the four-acre space is densely planted with trees, shrubs, flowers, and herbs mentioned in William Shakespeare’s plays and poems. Scattered throughout the Garden are bronze plaques with quotes from Shakespeare that reference plants.

Shakespeare Garden is fittingly located near the Delacorte Theater, the venue for the Public Theater’s productions of Shakespeare in the Park. But the Garden predates the theater by several decades. A garden was first created on this site in 1912 by Dr. Edmond Bronk Southwick, NYC Parks’ entomologist, as a place for public school children to study plants and natural history, called “The Garden of the Heart.” Southwick, an avid Shakespeare fan, included four large planting beds with flowers found in Shakespeare’s literature, also intended as a teaching tool. The Garden became more focused on Shakespeare in 1916, in part because of celebrations of the tricentennial of Shakespeare’s death.

Located at the precise geographical center of Central Park is one of the most well-known lawns in the world: the Great Lawn. The 55-acre area hosts a great range of recreational activities and is a popular destination for picnicking, sunbathing, relaxing, playing and watching softball, and enjoying the scenery. The main oval lawn area is 12 acres and includes six fields for softball. (Heckscher Ballfields and the North Meadow are home to the Park’s other sports fields). All require a permit to play organized games. To the north of the main lawn are two additional fields for volleyball and basketball.

The Great Lawn is well-known as a place for concerts and performances, hosting the annual New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks performance and annual Global Citizen Festival. The Great Lawn landscape also includes important scenic destinations such as the Arthur Ross Pinetum and Turtle Pond.

Rising from the Great Lawn like a Time Warned Sentinel cleopatra's needle is a 3500-year-old Egyptian obelisk carved with hieroglyphics honoring Pharaoh Thutmose III An ancient wonder that now silently connects Central Park to the mysteries of the Nile. Weathered by centuries its presence offers a surreal, almost mythical contrast to the city skyline just beyond the trees.

Standing with dignified resolve near the Great Lawn This Alexandra Hamilton statue pays tribute to America's brilliant controversial founding father. His gaze fixed forward as if still charting the nation's financial future Draped in 18th century detail the sculpture captures both his ambition and his legacy nestled quietly beneath a canopy of trees

Encircled by a 1.58-mile track and framed by sweeping skyline views The Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is Central Park's shimmering crown jewel a vast tranquil mirror that reflects both nature's calm and the city's pulse. Once the city's main water source it now draws joggers bird watchers and dreamers with its open sky and graceful stillness.

Tucked behind ornate wrought iron gates the Conservatory Garden is Central Park's most enchanting secret of formal oasis where sculpted hedges seasonal blooms and bubbling fountains evoke the elegance of a European estate divided into English French and Italian sections it offers a serene escape from the city's chaos, perfect for quiet reflection or romantic stroll.

Nestled into the landscape at Central Park's northeastern edge that Davis Center at the Harlem Meer is a striking new hub where nature recreation and community converge. This $160,000,000 transformation replaces the outdated Laser rank and pool with a year-round facility featuring the Gotsman Pool New York City's 8th largest which morphs into an ice rink in winter and a grassy field the Harlem Oval in spring and fall.

Carved from massive uncut boulders and held together without mortar Huddlestone Arch feels like a portal to another world an architectural marvel that defies gravity and blends seamlessly into the rugged beauty Of the North Woods just behind it a hidden waterfall tumbles gently over rocks offering one of Central Park's most serene and magical escapes where the city fades into the sound of rushing water and Birdsong.

The Northwoods is Central Parks wild soul a dense woodland sanctuary where a winding trails rustic bridges and hidden streams create the illusion of an untouched forest deep in the Adirondacks. Teaming with birdsong and shaded by towering oaks and maples it invites explorers to lose the city and rediscover nature's quiet drama just steps from Harlem's edge.