Central Park plays an essential role in the everyday lives of New Yorkers by providing 843 acres of paths, lakes and open spaces for escaping the din and chaos of the surrounding city. The design for Central Park was conceived by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, who submitted their "Greenswald Plan" for Central Park during a contest organized by the Central Park Commission. When Central Park first opened in the winter of 1859 it was the first artificially landscaped park in the United States. Olmstead and Vaux's design integrated formal and pastoral elements throughout the park, offering visitors everything from formal walkways like The Mall and Literary Walk to the wild, woodsy area of the Ramble. Central Park is a great place for picniking, listening to music and exploration. There are many fun, free events in Central Park, particularly in the summer.
Central Park Websites:
Central Park Subways:
- B, C
- 72nd Street
- 81st Street
- 86th Street
- 96th Street
- 103rd Street
- 110th Street - 2, 3
- Central Park North/110th Street - N, R, W
- 59th Street - A, B, C, D, 1
- 59th Street/Columbus Circle
Central Park Boundaries
- 59th Street on the South
- 110th Street on the North
- Central Park West on the West
- 5th Avenue on the East
Central Park Architecture
- Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux in 1857
- Combined pastoral, picturesque and formal elements.
- Essentially created the idea of landscape architecture -- everything in the park is man-made.
Central Park Tours
- Central Park Bike Tour
- Central Park Conservacy Guided Tours - free tours, no reservations required
- Central Park Conservacy Self-Guided Tours: (PDF Files)
South Park | Mid Park | North Park - Central Park with Big Onion Tours
- Central Park with Joyce Gold History Tours of New York
- The Best of Central Park private tour with Michelle Nevis
Central Park Pictures
- Central Park Pictures
- Belvedere Castle Pictures
- Shakespeare Garden Pictures
- Strawberry Fields Pictures
- Central Park Zoo and Tisch Children's Zoo Pictures
Central Park Restaurants
- Tavern on the Green
- Loeb Boathouse
- There are also a variety of vendors throughout Central Park selling hot dogs, pretzels, beverages and ice creams.
- Central Park is a great setting for enjoying a picnic.
Things to Do In Central Park
- Take a row boat or Gondola ride in the Lake
- Visit the Central Park Zoo
- Rent a bike or rollerblades
- Attend a concert: Philharmonic in the Parks, Metropolitan Opera in the Parks or Central Park Summerstage
- Attend Shakespeare in the Park
Central Park Attractions
- Alice in Wonderland Statue - north of the Conservatory Water, near East 75th/76th Streets
- Angel in the Water Fountain - located in Bethesda Terrace in the middle of Central Park at 72nd Street
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir - mid-park from 86th-96th Streets
- The Mall - from 66th - 72nd Streets just east of mid-park
- Strawberry Fields - on the West Side between 71st/72nd Streets
