Central Park, end to end
STOP 1 OF 15
Grand Army Plaza
Central Park · Free to visit
Start at the south-east corner, by the Plaza hotel.
10 min · Free
EThe editors · 2 Central Park lists — switch
Central Park, end to end
Sixteen stops from Grand Army Plaza at 59th St to the Harlem Meer at 110th, on a long morning’s walk.
15 placesA full dayRead the guide ↓
- 1. Grand Army PlazaStart at the south-east corner, by the Plaza hotel.Central ParkFree to visit10 minFree
2. The Pond and Gapstow BridgeThe classic photo: Gapstow Bridge with the skyline behind.Central ParkFree to visit15 minFree
3. Hallett Nature SanctuaryA fenced woodland few people know is open.Central ParkFree to visit20–30 minFree
4. Wollman RinkSkating in winter, under the Midtown towers.Central ParkPaid entry1–2 hoursPaid skating and skate rental
5. The Mall and Literary WalkThe elm-lined promenade and Literary Walk.Central ParkFree to visit20 minFree
6. Bethesda Terrace and FountainThe terrace, the fountain and the tiled arcade.Central ParkFree to visit20–30 minFree
7. Bow BridgeThe most photographed bridge in the park.Central ParkFree to visit10 minFree
8. Strawberry FieldsThe Imagine mosaic, a short detour west.Central ParkFree to visit15 minFree
9. The RambleWinding woodland paths and birdwatchers.Central ParkFree to visit30–60 minFree
10. Belvedere CastleA small castle with the best view in the park.Central ParkFree to visit20 minFree
11. Cleopatra’s NeedleA 3,500-year-old Egyptian obelisk behind the Met.Central ParkFree to visit10 minFree
12. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis ReservoirWalk part of the loop for the skyline across the water.Central ParkFree to visit45 min to walk the loopFree
13. Conservatory GardenFormal gardens, quiet and lovely in spring.Central ParkFree to visit30–45 minFree
14. The Loch and the North WoodsWaterfalls and a ravine in the North Woods.Central ParkFree to visit30–45 minFree
15. Harlem MeerFinish at the lake at the top of the park.Central ParkFree to visit20 minFree
The guide
How to do it: Central Park, end to end
Central Park runs 51 blocks, from 59th to 110th Street, and most visitors only see the bottom third. Walking it end to end takes three to four hours with stops and shows how varied it is: formal terraces, woodland you can get lost in, a reservoir and quiet gardens at the top.
Walk north so the skyline is behind you only when you turn round for the photo.
- The order to do it in
- South to north: Grand Army Plaza, the Pond, the Mall and Bethesda, Bow Bridge, the Ramble and Belvedere Castle, the Reservoir, the Conservatory Garden, the North Woods and the Harlem Meer.
- When to go
- Mornings, especially in spring and autumn. Weekday mornings are quietest.
- Getting there
- Start at 5th Ave–59th St (N R W). Finish at 110th St (2 3 or 6) or Central Park North (2 3).
- What to bring
- Comfortable shoes and water; there are cafés and toilets at the Boathouse, the Dairy and the Dana Center.
- What it costs
- Free.
Worth knowing
- If you lose your way, the first two digits on lamp-post plates give the nearest cross street.
- Bikes and pedicabs share the park drives; cross carefully.
Started from the pins on TripTins’ self-guided Central Park walk (the map). Places, notes and the guide checked and written by us; prices and opening times change, so check before you go.