Visiting New York's Central Park: How to get there, prices and tips

Let's face it, we've all dreamed of visiting New York at least once! And surely this huge city, which has served as the backdrop for so many films and TV series, is one of those must-visit destinations. If you are planning a trip to the Big Apple, be sure to dedicate at least one day to the immense and world-famous Central Park, the largest park in Manhattan and one of its undisputed symbols.

Here's a little guide to organising your visit to New York's Central Park: how to get there, prices and tips!

Where it is and how to get there

• Onfoot: it is very extensive and is located in the middle of the Manhattan peninsula. The streets that run along its sides are, on the longer sides, 5th Avenue and Central Park West, on the shorter ones 59th Street and 110th Street. It is 1 km (13 min) from Times Square, while on either side are the MET, the Guggenheim, the American Museum of Natural History and the Frick Collection - Get directions

• By bus: it's easy to get there from anywhere. Along all the surrounding streets there are plenty of stops where the M1, M2, M3 M4 and M10 lines run (single ride cost $2.50, approx. €2.25)

• By metro: there are several stops in the surrounding area and you can get there with the 5, 6, 7, A, B, C and D lines (if you have a MetroCard a single ride costs $2.75, about €2.50; without a MetroCard $3.00, about €2.70)

Timetables and prices

The park is open 365 days a year, from 6:00 am until 1:00 am. If you go early you can enjoy it quietly, while during the day it is quite crowded, you will meet people relaxing in the large gardens, others jogging, some having a drink in the many kiosks, others playing in the sports fields.

Admission is of course free, you can stroll peacefully through its narrow streets, and if you wish, you can even cycle through it. There are various rental services at the different entrances, with an average cost starting at $15.00/hour (about €13.50), $20.00 for two hours (about €18.00), $40.00 for the whole day (about €36.00). There are several attractions inside the park which are, however, subject to a charge and which we will see in detail in the next section.

• Opening hours: every day from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.

• Best time to avoid queues: early in the morning, from 7:00 am to 9:00 am

• Ticket price: free; bike hire from $15.00/hour (approx. €13.50)

Tours, Guided Tours and Online Tickets

What to see and how to visit Central Park

At 340 hectares, it is one of the largest parks in the world. It is New York's true green lung, but also a meeting and gathering place. Here, in fact, there is no lack of clubs and bars, playgrounds, artificial lakes, waterfalls and small groves. In winter you will also find a skating rink and numerous events are organised throughout the year. People come together to play sports or simply to stroll and spend time with family and friends.

The park is very large, so there are two alternatives: either rent a bicycle (from $15.00/hour, about €13.50) and explore it far and wide, or visit it by walking, but in this case you should already select what you want to see or reach. One day would not be enough to visit it all because of its size.
Below we suggest some of its main attractions:

Central Park Zoo

This is one of the main attractions, located in the southern part of the park. It is the city's first zoo, opened back in 1935, and covers 6 and a half hectares. Definitely an attraction to see if you are travelling with family and young children.

Moreover, this is the zoo where the famous Madagascar cartoon is set, starring the four friends Alex, Martin, Glora and Melman, a lion, a zembra, a hippo and a giraffe respectively. Not to mention the four'cute and cuddly' penguins.

• Location: East 64th Street, Central Park, New York - Get directions

• Hours: open daily, generally from 10am, with closing times varying according to the season; please check the official website for exact times for your day of visit

• Admission: full price $17.95 (approximately €16.20), concessions 3-12 years old $13.45 (approximately €12.10), concessions over 65 years old $15.25 (approximately €13.70), free for children under 2 years old

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Another attraction that absolutely must be included in your itinerary is The Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as MET. It's one of the world's most important museums, housing one of the largest collections (ever) of both ancient and contemporary art.

Little curiosity: the famous Met Gala is held here every year, a huge gala with the aim of raising funds for the benefit of the museum's Costume Institute. Attendance is by invitation only and some of the most famous people parade here, ready to dazzle photographers and other guests with their clothes tailored for the event.

• Location: 1000 5th Ave, Central Park, New York - Get directions

• Hours: Sunday to Thursday 10am-5:30pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-9pm

• Admission: full price $25.00 (approx. €22.50), concessions students $12.00 (approx. €10.80), concessions over 65 $17.00 (approx. €15.30), free for children under 12

Balto Statue

As children, we have all seen the cartoon Balto, dating back to 1995. It is the story of a sled dog who, during a bad diphtheria epidemic in Alaska, in the town of Nome, played a key role in getting the sled with the antitoxin to the town on time. Of course, there are some parts in the cartoon that do not completely capture the real story, but this dog always remains a hero.

Here you can admire a statue dedicated to him: the Balto Statue, near the Billy Johnson Playground. It was built in 1927 by sculptor Frederick George Roth, who was very famous at the time, and has been there ever since, in the same spot in Central Park, as a reminder of the great feat these sled dogs accomplished.

• Location: East Dr, Central Park, New York

• Hours: always accessible during Central Park opening hours (daily 6am-1pm)

• Admission: free

The Loeb Boathouse

The park is full of man-made lakes and one of them is The Lake. Around this lake are some of the most beautiful spots and views in the whole park, and here you can enjoy a wonderful boat ride thanks to The Loeb Boathouse rental service. Hop in your little boat and admire the city skyline that never sleeps, you will be able to take some truly wonderful photos!

Around the lake there are other spots that, if you have enough time, are definitely worth a visit: the Bethesda Fountain, the Bow Bridge, Wagner Cove and The Ramble Cave.

• Location: East 72nd &, Center Drive, Central Park, New York - Get directions

• Hours: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Admission: $15.00/hour for a single boat (approx. €13.50), $4.00 for every 15 minutes thereafter (approx. €3.60), $20.00 deposit (approx. €18.00) which is returned at the end of use

Strawberry Fields Memorial

Located on the western side of the park, near Central Park West road, is and memorial dedicated to John Lennon.

It was built in 1985, on the 45th anniversary of his birth. It was designed by his wife Yoko Ono together with architect Bruce Kelly and consists of a beautiful circular mosaic with the word'imagine' in the centre.

• Location: W 72nd St, Central Park, New York - Get directions

• Hours: always accessible during Central Park opening hours (daily 6am-1pm)

• Admission: free

Useful tips for visiting the attraction

1. Getup early: Ideally reach the entrance by 8am

2. Buy your city card: admission is free. For sightseeing, purchase a city pass to save money such as the New York Pass for 3, 5 or 7 attractions and the NYC Explorer Pass for over 85 tours and attractions

3. Priority ticket: there are no priority entrance tickets, but you can take part in numerous tours to visit the park with a guide and discover all its secrets

4. Watch out for restrictions: the rules in force are those of good citizenship, so don't litter and don't leave rubbish lying around; maintain a proper attitude and also respect other people in the park

5. Minimum time: we recommend that you devote at least half a day to the park, perhaps one morning, in order to be able to visit it far and wide. In the afternoon you can then, for example, dedicate yourself to visiting some of the nearby museums

6. Clothing: Given its size, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes for walking.

History, trivia and practical information: what to know in brief

New York's Green Lung was first opened back in 1856 and, although it looks like an entirely natural oasis, it is in fact largely man-made. It was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and English architect Calvert Vaux.

It is also one of the most famous parks in the world, thanks to all the films and TV series that have been filmed here. Always beautiful, in autumn it brings out its best, thanks to its colours and leaves that turn red and orange.

Haven't booked your flight and hotel yet? Check out our offers!

• Cheap flights: from €350.00 - see offers

• Where to stay: near Central Park hotels and B&Bs from €75.00 per room