New York City’s Central Park is the most visited park in the United States. It stretches from 59th to 110th streets (about 2.5 miles [4 km]) and from Fifth to Eighth Avenues (roughly 0.5 miles [0.8 km]), covering a total area of 840 acres (340 hectares). One of the earliest examples of landscape architecture in the United States, it is now an increasingly popular tourist attraction in the world.
History of Central Park
Poet-editor William Cullen Bryant and landscape architect Andrew Jackson Downing saw the need for a new, huge park in Manhattan as early as the 1840s in response to the city’s rapid urbanization. After gaining popular support, their ideas resulted in the purchase of the majority of the park’s present property in 1856, with around $5,000,000 granted by the state government.
A bone-boiling business, numerous hovels, filthy farms, free-roaming cattle, and a number of open drains and sewers were all removed from the site when cleaning operations began in 1857.
In 1858, the architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux had a proposal selected from 33 submitted for a $2,000 prize that would maintain and enhance the natural elements of the terrain to establish a pastoral park for city inhabitants.
The subsequent development of the park involved the movement of millions of cartloads of dirt and topsoil to build the landscape, the planting of approximately 5,000,000 trees and bushes, the laying of a water-supply system, and the building of many bridges, arches, and roadways.
One of the finest accomplishments in artificial landscaping, Central Park officially opened to the public in 1876. From low grassy swards to moderate slopes and shaded glens to steep, rocky ravines, the park’s geography and plants are incredibly diverse. Almost anywhere you go in the park, you’ll be given access to beautiful views and pleasant strolls.
Urban parks around the world can learn from Central Park’s size and cultural prominence. New York City’s Central Park was designated a scenic landmark in 1974 and a National Historic Landmark in 1963 due to its significance.
Although the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation legally owns Central Park, the Central Park Conservancy has been responsible for its care and maintenance under a contract with the city since 1998. The Conservancy is a nonprofit that raises money for Central Park and is in charge of its day-to-day maintenance and operations.
Things to do in Central Park
In the park, near Fifth Avenue, is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There’s a zoo, an ice skating rink, three small lakes, an outdoor theater, a band shell, dozens of sports fields and playgrounds for kids, dozens of fountains, and hundreds of little monuments and plaques dotted across the park. An ancient Egyptian obelisk known as “Cleopatra’s Needle” and a police station from the early 19th century are also there. Several roads cut through the park, and there are several trails for pedestrians and cyclists.
Landscape features like the Ramble and Lake, Hallett Nature Sanctuary, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and Sheep Meadow, as well as amusement attractions like Wollman Rink, the Central Park Carousel, and the Central Park Zoo, as well as formal spaces like the Central Park Mall and the Bethesda Terrace, and the Delacorte Theater, are among Central park’s most popular tourist attractions.
There are hundreds of plant and animal species in this biologically rich area. Carriage horse and bicycle excursions, bicycling, sports facilities, concerts, and events like Shakespeare in the Park are just some of the recreational opportunities available. Public transportation may take you everywhere within Central Park, and the park itself is connected by a network of roads and walkways.
Top 10 attractions in Central Park, US
Gardens, world-famous concert venues, historic statuary, lakes, ponds, and pools can be found throughout Central Park, from the amazing Columbus Circle to Grand Army Plaza to Duke Ellington Circle. In addition to the Central Park Zoo, there are almost thirty bridges and arches, two famous restaurants, a wildlife sanctuary, a puppet theater, and a real-life castle.
It’s nearly impossible to narrow the options down to just ten, but here are our picks for the Top Ten Attractions in Central Park.
- Central Park Zoo
- Belvedere Castle
- Strawberry Fields
- Bethesda Fountain
- Conservatory Garden
- Central Park Carousel
- Conservatory Water
- Ice Skating
- Bow Bridge
- Loeb Boathouse on The Lake
Central Park Zoo
Animals from Asia, the Arctic, and the Pacific Coast can all be found at the Central Park Zoo. Keep an eye out for red pandas, snow leopards, and snow monkeys in the Temperate Region. Visit the Polar Regions to see if you can see some of the adorable penguins. Some further notable animals are lemurs, California sea lions, and grizzly bears.
The zoo also features a 4D Theater for anyone over the age of six. The cost is part of the full price of a ticket at the theater. No wonder the zoo is one of the best attractions in Central Park. Every half hour, the adorable bronze animals that surround the Delacorte Musical Clock play children’s songs or seasonal compositions.
Belvedere Castle
Belvedere Castle offers breathtaking 360-degree views in almost every direction thanks to its perch on Vista Rock, the second-highest natural elevation in the park. It’s a magical landmark because it serves multiple purposes while also being aesthetically pleasing and romantically situated in the heart of Central Park. That’s why it is one of Central Park’s top attractions.
Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould conceived of this Victorian “Folly” (fantasy building) in 1865 as a vantage point from which to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounded it. The recently restored 55-acre Great Lawn, previously one of the Park’s original reservoirs, and Turtle Pond, right below, are among the sights visible from this vantage point.
Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields is a tribute to John Lennon that can be found in Central Park. He was shot and killed in front of the Dakota apartments on the park’s west side in 1980. Inspired by John Lennon’s song of the same name from 1971, the word “Imagine” is mosaiced onto the walkway.
The landscape, labeled a Peace Garden, was planned by Vaux and Olmstead and has 161 plant varieties (one from each country). There is a designated quiet zone in this part of the park as well. People come to the park to take selfies in front of the memorial because it serves as one of the main attractions in Central Park.
Bethesda Fountain
At the “heart” of Central Park, where visitors come to take in the vista of the lake and unwind, stands the towering Bethesda Fountain, which is one of the best attractions in Central Park. One of the most iconic features of the park is the sculpture atop it called Angel of Waters, which was created by Emma Stebbins in 1873.
The statue was created by Stebbins to honor the new Croton Aqueduct, which not only provided water for the fountain but also ended the city’s long struggle with waterborne diseases. For decades, Bethesda Terrace in Central Park has been a favorite gathering place for New Yorkers and visitors alike.
Conservatory Garden
The Conservatory Garden is a haven of tranquility, home to hundreds of plants. Located on six acres, this area is noticeably quieter than the rest of Central Park because it is the only formal garden there. Weddings are commonly held there.
The grand Vanderbilt Gate, made of wrought iron, stands at the end of Fifth Avenue and serves as the primary entry. The interior garden features distinct French, Italian, and English parts. The bronze fountain Three Dancing Maidens by Walter Schott is the centerpiece of the French garden.
When the fruit trees blossom, and the tulips open in the spring, the gardens put on quite a show to make it one of Central Park’s top attractions.
Central Park Carousel
The antique Central Park Carousel is a huge hit with kids and preteens. Listening to the calliope tootle as the park goes round and round makes you feel like you’ve escaped to a rural fairground far from the concrete jungle that is New York City.
In 1871, a blind mule and a horse walking on a treadmill in a dark subterranean pit powered the first carousel in the park. Almost 250,000 people ride it every year, making it one of the most popular attractions at Central Park.
The park commissioners had opposed commercial operations in the Park at first but later came to appreciate the value of the Park’s most visited attractions. They also saw the money the city made from the carousel’s operation as a welcome boost to the budget.
Conservatory Water
Another top attraction in Central Park is Conservatory Water. Model sail boating in Central Park at Conservatory Water is a thrill for participants and onlookers of all ages and backgrounds, including adults and children.
The surrounding monuments of Hans Christian Andersen and Alice in Wonderland, two of the park’s most popular sculptures, only add to the excitement. The patina left behind by the many little hands that have touched both statues is the clearest evidence of this. A storytelling event is held near the monument of the Danish author every summer.
Ice Skating
Skating in Central Park is fun for the whole family, yet it can also be a romantic date for two. Skating in Central Park on a bright winter day is a must-do for any visitor to New York City. However, this pastime is only available from late October to early April. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is one of the best attractions in Central Park.
The Wollman Rink, next to the Central Park Zoo, is one of two rinks in the park where visitors may ice skate outside for a charge in a scenic, tree-lined environment. You may rent skates there, and spectators can watch for a little charge. The Lasker Rink doubles as a swimming pool during the warmer months. Price-wise, it’s a better deal than Wollman Rink.
Bow Bridge
Bow Bridge has earned its star status as one of Central Park’s most popular filming and photography sites; that’s why it is one of the best attractions in all of Central Park. It is not only one of the most magnificent cast iron bridges in the world but also provides some of the most spectacular views of the park around it, as it stretches sixty feet across the lake from Cherry Hill to the Ramble.
When it was finished in 1862, Bow Bridge was the only one of the park’s arches that weren’t crafted from stone.
It is one of the greatest instances of the magic that arose from the collaboration of Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould, thanks to its beautiful curves and delicate embellishments. Its subtle elegance and strength make it an ideal bridge between the manicured Cherry Hill and the wild disarray of the Ramble.
Loeb Boathouse on The Lake
The stunning Loeb Boathouse, located on the lake’s extreme eastern side, is a restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks the water. Weddings and other formal gatherings are frequently held at this location due to its lovely scenery. This place is one of the most romantic spots in the Park and one of Central Park’s top attractions.
On a sunny day, you may watch people paddle boats on the placid river while sipping coffee or dining. If you’re itching for some extra motion, you can always rent a canoe or kayak and explore the lake on your own.
