Central Park: Guide to family attractions, playgrounds and events
A complete guide to Central Park, including playgrounds and family attractions, from the carousel to the the Central Park Zoo.
Mon Mar 4 2013
-
Photograph: Virginia Rollison
Central Park: The Mall
-
Photograph: The Central Park Conservancy
Central Park: North Woods
-
Photograph: Central Park Conservancy
Central Park: Belvedere Castle
-
Photograph: Courtesy of Central Park Conservancy
Central Park: Friedsam Memorial Carousel
-
Photograph: Julie Larsen Maher
Central Park: Snow monkey at the Central Park Zoo
-
Central Park: Sea lion at the Central Park Zoo
-
Photograph: Julie Larsen Maher
Central Park: Tisch Children's Zoo the Central Park Zoo
-
Photograph: Courtesy Central Park Conservancy
Central Park: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
-
Photograph: City Parks Foundation
Central Park: Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater
-
Photograph: Gary Gershoff
Central Park: Victorian Gardens
-
Photograph: Beth Levendis
Central Park: Trump Wollman Rink
-
Photograph: Gaby Dressler
Central Park: Ancient Playground
-
Photograph: Lindsay Maclean Taylor
Central Park: Billy Johnson Playground
-
Photograph: Gaby Dressler
Central Park: East 72nd Street Playground
-
Photograph: Lindsay Maclean Taylor
Central Park: Heckscher Playground
-
Central Park: Diana Ross Playground
-
Photograph: Virginia Rollison
Central Park: Bethesda Fountain
-
Central Park: Conservatory Garden
-
Central Park: Strawberry Fields
-
Photograph: Sara Cedar Miller/Central Park Conservancy
Central Park: Alice in Wonderland Statue
-
Central Park: Hans Christian Andersen Statue
-
Photograph: Dominic Perri
Central Park: Summer Stage Family Day
-
Central Park: Harlem Meer Performance Festival
-
Central Park: My Dog Loves Central Park Fair
-
Photograph courtesy Central Park Conservancy
Central Park: Autumn
-
Central Park: Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Sail
-
Central Park: Holiday Lighting
-
Photograph: Marielle Solan
Central Park: Winter Jam 2013
-
Central Park: Summer author reading
Even Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted would be astonished at the staying power of their 1860s creation, which is arguably the most beloved tourist attraction in New York City. A historic carousel, a small zoo with a separate, excellent petting zoo, and a beautiful ice-skating rink–cum–amusement park alone make Central Park worth a visit, and that’s just in its southernmost six blocks. Even for families on a strict budget, Central Park is a boon, sporting a fairy tale castle where kids can borrow a field kit, a nature center where they can practice catch-and-release fishing, treasured spots like Bethesda Fountain and the Egyptian obelisk, and some of the best playgrounds in the city, including one with a 45-foot marble slide that teaches kids that good things are worth waiting for. Best of all, though, Central Park offers city children a taste of the country, oxygenated air, countless trees and expansive grass lawns included.
RECOMMENDED: 50 best family attractions in NYC
How to support Central Park: You can help maintain the urban oasis by visiting centralparknyc.org.
Central Park information
Central Park
- Critics choice
- Free
Manhattan's green getaway is a lifesaver for local families with antsy tykes. The Olmsted and Vaux–designed space brims with kid-friendly attractions, including an ice skating rink in the winter, year-round performances at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, an Egyptian-themed playground, summer concert and theater series, the famed carousel, and plenty of free and cheap workshops throughout the gargantuan park.
- 59th St to 110th St, (between Fifth and Eighth Aves)
Attractions in Central Park
Central Park Zoo
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
- Southeast corner of Central Park,, (enter at Fifth Ave at 64th St)
Victorian Gardens
- Price band: 1/4
- Wollman Rink, Central Park, (enter from 59th St at Sixth Ave)
Central Park events
Pippi
- Price band: 1/4
- Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre Birthday Parties Central Park, Central Park West at 81st St, 10001
- Sat May 25 - Sun Jun 23
- North Meadow Recreation Center midpark at 97th St
- Sat May 25 - Sat Oct 26
Best playgrounds in Central Park
Pictures of Central Park
Winter Jam 2013
|
Address 59th St to 110th St Central Park New York Cross street between Fifth and Eighth Aves Phone 212-310-6600 Website centralparknyc.org Transportation Subway: A, B, C, D, 1 to 59th St–Columbus Circle; N, Q, R to 5th Ave; B, C to 72nd St, 81st St–Museum of Natural History, 86th St, 96th St, 103rd St, 110th St; 2, 3 to 110th St. |
How to get to Central Park |
Related Central Park coverage
Other NYC parks
Prospect Park
- Critics choice
- Free
- Prospect Park West to Flatbush Ave, (between Prospect Park Southwest and Ocean Ave)
Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
- Critics choice
- Free
- 111th St to Van Wyck Expwy, (between Flushing Bay and Grand Central Pkwy)
You might also like
See more in Museums & Attractions
Restaurants near Central Park
Family attractions near Central Park
Events for kids by date
-
"Adventures with...
Preschoolers flock to this exhibit based on the po...
-
"Against the Grain:...
Featuring more than 90 examples of contemporary wo...
-
Anne and Bernard...
The former Human Biology and Evolution Hall has ev...
Time Out Kids Newsletter
Sign up to keep tabs on NYC's best family offerings, from fun kid-friendly events to ideas for last-minute weekend plans.
