Everything you need to know about visiting Central Park (59th St to 110th St, NY 10023).
Central Park has it all: 843 acres. Nearly 40 million annual visitors. Twenty-nine sculptures. More than 25,000 trees. The massive National Historic Landmark is located smack-dab in the middle of Manhattan, and it is home to everything from an ice-skating rink to a swimming pool and hosts events like the New York City Marathon and outdoor SummerStage concerts. You could spend days in the park without seeing everything, and it’s open year-round with activities for every season. We could go on—we haven’t even mentioned Belvedere Castle or the Metropolitan Museum of Art yet—but you should really just go see it for yourself.
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Spend the day on the water
Located on the shore of The Lake at 72nd Street, the picturesque Loeb Boathouse near the equally iconic Bethesda Fountain has been the setting of plenty of NYC movies, and for good reason. But it’s not just a pretty place: There are water sports right there in the middle of Manhattan. Head there to rent a rowboat or take a gondola tour, or just sit at the outdoor bar and sip a cocktail while watching everyone else struggle with their oars.
See a show at sunset
Yes, Shakespeare in the Park is found in this park. The essential free outdoor show is having a prolific 2017, with the much-discussed Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night’s Dream in July. Yes, you have to line up at the crack of dawn to get tickets to the Public Theater’s productions at Delacorte Theater, but it’s worth it for the experience that rivals the best of Broadway. And as a last resort, you can wander Central Park’s Strawberry Fields and Sheep Meadow in search of community theater troupes rehearsing the Bard’s best works.
Go wild at the zoo
Central Park is so big that there’s an entire zoo within the park, and it’s home to 130 different species. The Central Park Zoo is found at 64th Street, and though it can’t compare to the gigantic Bronx Zoo, it’s worth stopping by to say hi to the snow leopards and grizzly bears. Tip: Even if you don’t have an entire afternoon to spend there, you can walk by and peep at the Sea Lion Pool and the iconic Delacorte Clock with dancing animals from Park Road.
Our New York editorial team is constantly updating and reviewing the best attractions, activities and venues across the city, so that you're always in the know, with the best of NYC. at your fingertips. Central Park was most recently updated with new tips on June 19, 2017.