What to do and see in Central Park, New York (NY): The Best Things to do

December 21, 2021 Sheron Bogner

Conquering New York in one visit is impossible. Instead, hit the must-sees – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and then explore off the beaten path with visits to The Cloisters or one of the city’s libraries. Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer.
Restaurants in New York City

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

1000 5th Ave, New York City, NY 10028-0198 +1 212-535-7710 [email protected] http://www.metmuseum.org
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
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5.0 based on 54,604 reviews

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

At New York City's most visited museum and attraction, you will experience over 5,000 years of art from around the world. The Met is for anyone as a source of inspiration, insight and understanding. You can learn, escape, play, dream, discover, connect.

Reviewed By cmasb - Rickmansworth, United Kingdom

We have wanted to visit here for ages and finally made it. It did not disappoint. There is no way you can see everything in any museum of any stature such as the Met. Choose what you are interested in and focus on just a few items. Our passions include European paintings from the 15th to early 19th centuries and we were indulged: incredible works by Velasquez, Goya, David, Brueghel, Rembrandt, Hals, Vermeer etc etc. You cannot be disappointed. We also visited the Graeco-Roman and Egyptian galleries, which were also fascinating. It was busy even on a Monday in schooltime. We booked tickets ahead, which saved us time queuing, so it might be worth your time doing the same thing. We had a nice but rather expensive lunch in the cafeteria in the basement. Sandwiches at $15? They didn’t even have caviar in them (but were tasty).

2. Central Park

59th to 110th Street Manhattan Borough, from Central Park West to 5th Avenue, New York City, NY 10022 (212) 310-6600 [email protected] https://www.centralparknyc.org/
Excellent
78%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
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4.5 based on 132,882 reviews

Central Park

For more than 150 years, visitors have flocked to Central Park's 843 green acres in the heart of Manhattan. Since 1980, the Park has been managed by the Central Park Conservancy, in partnership with the public. Central Park is open 6 am to 1 am daily. Visit the official website of Central Park to learn more about Park happenings and activities and to learn how you to help Central Park!

Reviewed By 242SharonC - Mississauga, Canada

This is such a great way to spend the afternoon- it’s huge, so lots of walking but also lots of benches to rest and enjoy. You can rent a bike, row a boat, ride in a horse drawn carriage, visit the zoo, stop for ice cream or lunch, or just wander and take in the various sculptures like Alice in Wonderland, Nathaniel Hawthorne, John Lennon’s Imagine mosaic. You cannot visit Manhattan without doing Central Park. Short walk to a lot of hotels and shopping as well.

3. Alice in Wonderland Statue

76th Street and 5th Avenue near Conservatory Lake, New York City, NY 10021 +1 212-310-6600 http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=6416
Excellent
48%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 569 reviews

Alice in Wonderland Statue

Located in Central Park, this statue usually has children climbing all over it.

Reviewed By lucylucy706 - Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom

The Alice in Wonderland statue is a charming place to visit when in New York, particularly in the snow. We visited on the Monday after Thanksgiving 2019 when it had just started to snow, and the park was delightfully peaceful with very few people around. It was my first visit to Central Park, but I imagine there are usually a few more people around!

4. Conservatory Garden

5th Ave & 105th St, New York City, NY 10029 (212) 310-660 https://www.centralparknyc.org/locations/conservatory-garden
Excellent
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4.5 based on 384 reviews

Conservatory Garden

Located across from the Museum of the City of New York, this Central Park oasis offers six acres of magnificent flowers and trees.

5. Harlem Meer

109th Street Next to Dana Discovery Center, New York City, NY 10029 http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/fishing-harlem-meer.html
Excellent
73%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
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4.5 based on 15 reviews

Harlem Meer

6. The Mall

Midpark between 66th and 72nd Sts., New York City, NY 10022 http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/mall-literary-walk.html
Excellent
59%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
7%
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4.5 based on 58 reviews

The Mall

Reviewed By StephenCr0ss - Dublin, Ireland

Good area to walk around as you end up at the fountain works is a nice area to sit and relax. Recommended.

7. Shakespeare Garden

W. Park Dr. and 79th St. Transverse, New York City, NY 10024 +1 212-310-6600 http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/shakespeare-garden.html
Excellent
52%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 102 reviews

Shakespeare Garden

Reviewed By pdhiggins7 - Walker Valley, United States

We spent quite a while exploring Central Park on our last visit to the city, and the highlight for me was this exquisite garden. Winding pathways and around every turn were lush, beautiful gardens. You definitely forget you are in the heart of New York City here!

8. Bethesda Fountain

Midpark at 72nd St. Transverse Central Park, New York City, NY +1 212-310-6600 http://www.centralpark.com/guide/attractions/bethesda-terrace/bethesda-fountain.html
Excellent
54%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
8%
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0%
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4.5 based on 747 reviews

Bethesda Fountain

Reviewed By LiamMc97 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

I went here in Oct 2019 and proposed to my then girlfriend. It's such an iconic place in New York and will hold many memories that I will cherish forever.

9. The Ramble

79th St Transverse, New York City, NY 10024 +1 212-310-6600 http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/ramble.html
Excellent
45%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
3%
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4.5 based on 33 reviews

The Ramble

Reviewed By jrobin19 - East Bridgewater, United States

Why didn't anyone ever tell me about The Ramble? I could literally spend hours and days here walking amongst the woods and rocks and flowers and wildlife. Literally, the best thing I have ever done in NYC to date.

10. Ladies Pavilion

West side between 75th and 76th Streets, New York City, NY 10024 +1 212-310-6600 [email protected] http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/ladies-pavilion.html
Excellent
48%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
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4.5 based on 27 reviews

Ladies Pavilion

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