Central Park boasts of exceptional attractions, including Belvedere Castle, central park Zoo, and Strawberry Fields. Besides, it houses playgrounds, meadows, skating rinks, playgrounds, etc.
This article shows you the spectacular and delightful places to visit. Besides, it offers you the best way to see Central Park. Remember to pick up a Central Park map from the visitors center for easy navigation. If you need an e-scooter or bike, stop by Fancy Apple rental service for the best bikes and e-scooter.
What to Visit in Central Park?
Central Park has plenty of scenic views, offering multiple opportunities to have fun. Apart from beautiful natural spots, there are many historical monuments and places of world value. Choosing sites to see in Central Park can be tricky – almost all sites deserve to be visited. Further, each day, there is something new to see.
Central Park was the most visited Park in 2020, with close to 42 million visitors. Walking through the Park exposes you to natural beauty and charming characters. Depending on the iconic central park locations and the season, you’ll meet different categories of people having fun. Runners, dog walkers, carriage riders, and picnickers are just a few.
If you plan to visit Central Park, New York City in the United States, make Central Park a go-to place. The plentiful points of interest within its boundaries will satisfy your curiosity. The most famous spots in central Park to visit are:
Alice in Wonderland
Though a kid-friendly sculpture, Alice in Wonderland is intricately designed to attract people of all ages.
The 11-foot-tall bronze statue portrays Lewis Carroll’s classic novel – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alice, the protagonist, sits atop a mushroom and reaches out to grasp the White Rabbit’s pocket watch. The Mad Hatter is beside her while the famed Cheshire Cat looks over Alice’s shoulder at the scene before him.
There’s an engraving of words from the first lines of the poem Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll at the sculpture’s base. Lovers of classic literature or Alice in Wonderland should find this point one of the must see places in Central Park.
The Mall and Literary Walk
The horticultural wonders and significant landscapes are some features that make The Mall an iconic place. It is wide, straight, and lined by two rows of American elm trees, creating a canopy.
The American elms’ curvy and overarching branches create an impression of an architectural space like the vaulting of a cathedral. The straight path connects entrances and landscapes in the south to points north, leading directly to Bethesda Terrace and the Ramble beyond.
Its location is in the south end of Central Park, which features many statues of writers, hence the name Literary Walk.
Delacorte Theatre
The Delacorte Theater is at the heart of Central Park. Find Delacorte Theatre just off 80th street on the southwest corner of the Great Lawn. The major event at the theater is Free Shakespeare in the Park, an annual event featuring large-scale productions of famous works.
For 45+ years, the theatre has hosted 5+ million people from across the globe. Each summer, two plays are released, with one of them being a play by Shakespeare.
The open-air theatre has a seating capacity of 1,872, and the setting is picturesque, courtesy of Majestic Belvedere Castle and Turtle Pond seen in the background.
Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill is a sloping lawn overlooking the lake, allowing you to enjoy views of rowboats on the water. Thus, an ideal spot for relaxing and picnicking.
Cherry Hill gets its name from the cherry trees, and the attractive pink and white blooms of the Yoshino cherry trees make it the best part of Central Park.
At the top of the hill is Cherry Hill Fountain, a drinking fountain for horses. It’s at the center of the open plaza connected to 72nd street drive. Down the hill is Wagner Cove, an intimate spot along the shoreline of the lake.
Elf Bridge
This is one of the iconic central park locations that allows your inner Elf. The Elf Bridge is a bridge that appears in the Elf movie as one of Central Park’s iconic features. In reality, it is Pine Bank Bridge. A bridge is in Central Park.
It is one of the remaining cast-iron bridges. Constructed in 1861 and restored in the 1980s, this arch pedestrian bridge is located at the southwest corner near the Heckscher Playground.
Turtle Pond
The two-acre water body lies south of the Great Lawn, and it gets its name from the large number of turtles residing in that area. Due to unique biodiversity, Turtle Pond is another best part of Central Park for relaxing, picnicking, and admiring the many species of turtles, birds, fish, frogs, and dragonflies.
There are five turtle species, including red-eared sliders, snapping, painted, musk, and box turtles. However, the red-eared sliders are common species.
You can have the best views of Belvedere Castle, perched on the dramatic Vista Rock from the shores.
Hans Christian Anderson
Hans Christian Andersen’s bronze statue is built on the terrace overlooking Conservatory Water. The sculpture depicts Anderson (a Danish author) seated and reading the Ugly Duckling story to a duckling. His top hat is beside him. To the north of the statute is Alice in Wonderland, another child-friendly statue.
The statue was erected in 1957, and since then, every Saturday, 11 a.m., during summer, children cluster around the statute near to hear Christian Andersen’s and others’ fairytales from professional storytellers.
In warmer months, visitors can rent miniature sailboats and yachts on Conservatory Water from Kerbs Boat House.
Swedish Cottage
The Swedish Cottage arrived in the United States in Central Park in 1877 from Sweden. Its tantalizing Swedish architecture and craftsmanship, suggestive of a model schoolhouse, make it a lovely structure.
Located in Central Park, West Side 79th Street, the cottage served several roles, including headquarters for the Civil Defense during World War II.
However, since 1947, it was turned to Marionette Theater. Puppeteers bring to life magical tales of princesses, genies, paupers, and giants to hundreds of visitors.
The 1997 redesign gave it whimsical Scandinavian detail alongside a state-of-the-art stage for sophisticated productions.
Today, both Swedish and American flags fly from its roof.
Chess & Checkers
Chess & Checkers is a house built atop a large rock outcrop near the Dairy in Children’s District. Since 1952, the house has been offering a place to play games for visitors of all ages. The octagonal brick structure has 24 game tables along its walls shaded by a wooden trellis. Also, there are other structures designed to encourage chess and checkers.
Visitors can also borrow chess, checkers, dominoes, and backgammon from the Chess & Checkers House staff. But you can also bring your chessboard and pieces. So, visitors can play at various locations throughout the Park.
What Is the Best Way to See Central Park?
Best ways to see Central Park are by bicycles, horse carriages, or electric scooters. Still, you can walk on foot, but the Park is extensive. Central park sights to see are within an area spanning 843 acres. Touring this natural paradise on foot can be tiring, and it’s possible you may not visit all enchanting sites.
Good news; you can use tours or explore this Park on your own with ease when you rent an electric scooter.
Central Park Tours
Central Park walking tours are by far the most common way to explore the Park. The biggest advantage of a walking tour is affordability. The tours usually last a few hours, and you can book them at the last minute.
Also, self-guided tours are available to visitors who want to roam central Park on foot but at their own pace. While it’s affordable, it lacks the advantage of a guide to answer pertinent questions and offer guidance.
Bicycle tours allow you to tour the Park that walking tours quickly. They are relatively affordable, but you have to book them beforehand. Alternatively, you can rent a bike from any bike rental service and tour Central Park on your own.
Electric Scooters Rental in Central Park
An electric scooter offers a faster, comfortable, and timely way to explore the wonders of Central Park. Unlike other methods, you spend minimal energy accessing the various sites. You may come with your e-scooter; however, Fancy Apple rental service is one of the best electric scooter rentals in NYC. So do not hesitate to get your e-scooter from this operator any time you visit Central Park.
There are a variety of e-scooters, and the staff will help you pick the right one. Besides, prices are posted on the website. Therefore, you’ll know exactly what to pay, and with up to 30% off, Fancy Apple rental services are dedicated to offering the best modes of personal transportation.