Central Park is free and open every day from 6am to 1am, and its 843 acres are too big to see on foot in a couple of hours. For a first visit, walk from Columbus Circle or the Plaza to Bethesda Terrace at 72nd Street, then on past Bow Bridge to Belvedere Castle at 79th; or cover more ground by bike, pedicab or guided tour. Note two things this season: Bethesda Fountain is switched off for about a year of restoration (the terrace stays open), and the Great Lawn is closed until spring 2027.
Central Park, New York: what to see and how to get around
Central Park tours and bike hire worth booking
Walking the park is free; a guide, a pedicab or a bike helps you see much more of it in a short time. Prices checked on 22 October 2026; live prices in your currency are shown on each card.
Where available, you can reserve now and pay later. Payment dates and eligibility depend on the experience and the options shown at checkout.
Finding experiences…
Central Park pedicab tour
From $38A private pedicab tour for your group with a local guide and photo stops, with blankets in cold weather; choose the length when you book. All taxes and fees are included in the booked price. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Central Park guided walking tour
From $44A walking tour of the park’s history, trees, wildlife and landmarks with an experienced guide. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Central Park small-group bike tour
From $63A guided ride with bike, helmet and map included, three blocks from the park. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Central Park bike rental
From $13Pick up a bike three blocks from the park, with helmet, lock and bike bag included; choose from one hour to two days. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Planning a visit to Central Park
What to see in Central Park
- Bethesda Terrace (mid-park at 72nd Street): the heart of the park. The fountain is switched off for about a year of restoration from August 2026, but the terrace is open.
- Bow Bridge (mid-park at 74th) and the Ramble (73rd to 79th), 36 acres of winding woodland paths.
- Belvedere Castle (mid-park at 79th): a castle with a terrace, open daily 10am to 5pm.
- Strawberry Fields and the Imagine mosaic (west side, 71st to 74th), a quiet zone near the West 72nd Street entrance.
- Sheep Meadow (west side, 66th to 69th): opens daily at 11am, conditions permitting, and closes for the winter season.
- Conservatory Garden (east side, 104th to 106th, through the Vanderbilt Gate): open 8am to 5pm from November to February.
- Gapstow Bridge (east side at 62nd), over the Pond near the park’s south-east corner.
Closures in Central Park this season
Check the Conservancy’s alerts page before you go. Bethesda Fountain is off until restoration is finished, with no completion date announced. The Great Lawn is closed for the season and reopens in spring 2027, and Conservatory Water, the model-boat pond, will not open for skating this winter as construction begins there. Some paths and benches around the Mall and Naumburg Bandshell are closed for construction, and parts of the Reservoir running track are closed through late fall.
Pedicabs and horse carriages: the rules
Agree the price before you get in. The city sets a maximum horse-carriage fare of $72.22 for the first 20 minutes and $28.89 for each further 10 minutes. Pedicab fares are not set by the city but must be charged per minute at a single rate shown on signs outside the pedicab, with a visible sealed timer; it is illegal to charge extra per passenger, add taxes or a mandatory tip, or raise the price at the end. Complaints go to 311. A pedicab tour booked in advance has a fixed price.
Cycling in Central Park
Ride counterclockwise on the park drives only; bikes are not allowed on paths, apart from two marked shared paths, or on lawns, and pedestrians always have right of way. Children under 14 must wear a helmet. Faster cyclists use the outer lane and slower ones the middle lane. The speed limit on the drives is under legal challenge, so follow the posted signs. Citi Bike day passes cost $25 with unlimited 30-minute rides.
Central Park Zoo and the Boathouse
Central Park Zoo, at 64th Street and Fifth Avenue, costs $22.95 for adults, $18.95 for seniors and $16.95 for children aged 3 to 12, with cheaper limited admission. From 1 November it opens daily from 10am to 4:30pm, with last entry an hour before closing. Rowboats at the Boathouse cost $25 an hour Monday to Thursday and $30 Friday to Sunday, cashless, from 10am to dusk, weather permitting.
Map of Central Park’s highlights
The southern half of the park, from 59th to 79th Street, holds most of the famous sights. Times are walking times from Bethesda Terrace.
Subway to Central Park
- 59 St–Columbus Circle (A, B, C, D, 1), at the south-west corner; the station is accessible.
- 5 Av/59 St (N, R, W), by Grand Army Plaza and the Plaza Hotel.
- 72 St (B, C) on Central Park West, close to Strawberry Fields; other B and C stops run north along the park to 110th Street.
- Buses M1 to M4 run along Fifth and Madison Avenues, and the M10 along Central Park West.
Central Park sights on the map
1Bethesda Terrace
startThe terrace is open; the fountain is off for restoration.
2Bow Bridge
about 5 minThe bridge over the Lake at 74th Street.
3Strawberry Fields
about 8 minThe Imagine mosaic, near the West 72nd Street entrance.
4Belvedere Castle
about 12 minA castle viewpoint at 79th Street, open daily 10am to 5pm.
5Central Park Zoo
about 12 minAt 64th Street and Fifth Avenue; adults $22.95.
6Wollman Rink
about 12 minIce skating on the east side at 63rd Street from 24 October.
7Gapstow Bridge
about 15 minA bridge over the Pond at 62nd Street, on the east side.
8Conservatory Garden
about 30 minFormal gardens at 104th to 106th Street, entered through the Vanderbilt Gate.
Tips for visiting Central Park
Start at the south end and walk north: most of the famous sights are between 59th and 79th Street.
- Visitor centres at the Dairy (65th Street) and Belvedere Castle are open daily 10am to 5pm, and close on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
- In an emergency call 911; for non-emergencies call 311.
- Official Central Park Conservancy guides wear uniforms with the Conservancy logo; its tours cover different parts of the park.
- From late October, skating at Wollman Rink and, from 1 November, at the Harlem Meer’s Gottesman Rink.
Mistakes to avoid in Central Park
The most common mistake is getting into a pedicab or carriage without agreeing the full price first.
- Riding a bike on the paths or the wrong way round the drives.
- Planning a picnic on the Great Lawn in winter. It is closed until spring 2027.
- Expecting the Bethesda Fountain to be running. It is off for about a year.
- Trying to see the whole park in an afternoon on foot. Pick the southern half, or use a bike or pedicab.
Central Park FAQ
What are Central Park’s opening hours?
The park is open every day from 6am to 1am, and entry is free.
Is Bethesda Fountain working?
No. The fountain was switched off in August 2026 for about a year of restoration, but Bethesda Terrace is open.
How much is a horse carriage ride in Central Park?
The city’s maximum fare is $72.22 for the first 20 minutes and $28.89 for each additional 10 minutes. Agree the price before you set off.
How do pedicab prices work in Central Park?
Pedicabs charge by the minute at a single rate that must be posted on the outside of the vehicle, with a visible sealed timer. They cannot charge extra per person or add a mandatory tip.
Can you ride a bike in Central Park?
Yes, counterclockwise on the park drives. Bikes are not allowed on most paths or on lawns, and under-14s must wear a helmet.
How much is the Central Park Zoo?
$22.95 for adults, $18.95 for seniors and $16.95 for children aged 3 to 12; under-3s go free.
Can you rent a rowboat in Central Park?
Yes, at the Boathouse: $25 an hour Monday to Thursday and $30 Friday to Sunday, from 10am to dusk, weather permitting.
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We checked the facts on this page against these sources on October 22, 2026. Prices and times can change, so confirm them when you book.
- Central Park Conservancy: visit (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: park history (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: alerts (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: investment in Bethesda Fountain and Conservatory Water (22 July 2026) (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: Belvedere Castle (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: Dairy Visitor Center (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: Strawberry Fields (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: Sheep Meadow (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: Great Lawn (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: Conservatory Garden (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: Conservatory Water (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: official tours (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: bicycling (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: the drives (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: statement on the drives speed limit (24 September 2026) (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Conservancy: Wollman Rink (centralparknyc.org)
- Central Park Zoo: plan your visit (centralparkzoo.com)
- The Central Park Boathouse: rowboats (centralparkboathouse.com)
- NYC Consumer and Worker Protection: horse-drawn carriage fares (nyc.gov)
- NYC Consumer and Worker Protection: pedicab prices and tips (PDF) (nyc.gov)
- Citi Bike: pricing (citibikenyc.com)
- MTA: B line map (mta.info)
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From prices are indicative. Choose your date and confirm availability, cancellation terms and the final total on the booking page. * Ratings and reviews are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor.
* “What travellers say” summaries are written with AI from recent reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor, covering every star rating (October 2026).