Central Park Walking Tour to Bethesda Fountain, The Mall, & More!

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Tour Details

Tour Type: Walking
Duration: 1 - 2 Hours
Distance:4 Miles
Audio Stories: 40+
Purchase Qty: One Per Person
Tour At Your Own Pace
Tour Anytime, Any Day
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Welcome to the Central Park Walking Tour

Get the most out of your visit! This comprehensive Central Park Walking Tour covers top sights like the Bethesda Fountain, The Mall, Great Lawn, Strawberry Fields, etc. Central Park is full of filming locations, historical monuments, and astounding views. Walkthrough this famous New York City spot and see everything it offers.

Our New York city tours let you experience the city’s many wonders at your own pace. Do check our other New York city tours here.

About the Tour

This self-guided Central Park tour and GPS tour begins on the 5th and 59th. Your first stop on the Central Park walking tour will be the famous Central Park Zoo, home to monkeys, pythons, and penguins. You’ll also get a chance to see the whimsical Delacourte Clock.

Then, continue to the statue of Balto, and hear about why the heck a dog from Alaska has a statue in New York! After that, it’s on to the beautiful, tree-lined Mall and Literary Walk. This verdant stretch of walkway isn’t just beautiful–it’s full of statues honoring famous literary and historical figures. Get the stories (and the controversies) behind all of them.

Ever wanted to see one of the spots where Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke? Then you’re in luck! The Naumburg Bandshell is ahead and has seen all sorts of famous speakers and musicians over the years, from MLK to Fidel Castro!

Up next, the Central Park tours experience will bring you to the gorgeous Bethesda Terrace, a wonder of Italianate architecture offering spectacular views of the park. It’s also been the filming site for plenty of major hits through the years, from Home Alone 2 to The Avengers.

Next, you’ll follow the route to the Hans Christian Andersen monument, author of children’s classics like “The Little Mermaid.” The tour through the fantastical side of the park continues at the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, burnished to a shine from years of kids clambering all over it. But don’t worry, that’s by design!

Art lovers will adore the next stop: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. There’s no more prominent name in classic art in the US than The Met, and visitors soon discover why. The museum even features an entire ancient temple inside!

Next, pay a visit to the Jacky Kennedy Reservoir at the park’s heart. Stroll around this picturesque pool and learn to identify iconic buildings in New York’s skyline.

Then, stop by the Great Lawn, which has featured superstars like Elton John and Bon Jovi and continues to be a central gathering place for folks looking to enjoy a bit of natural serenity.

Later, see an actual castle and a Shakespearean garden before moving to the Strawberry Fields memorial commemorating music legend John Lennon. And you can’t come to Central Park without visiting the famous Carousel, so you’ll stop there and hear about its history.

Finally, you’ll exit the park at Columbus Circle, a city’s central hub not too far from where your tour began. The Central Park tours experience will conclude here.

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Central Park Tour Map

Where To Start?

Starting Point Address: Grand Army Plaza, New York, NY 10019, USA

How Does It Work?

Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If there are multiple versions or entrances for your tour, be sure to download all audio guides.
To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.

What You'll See

Introduction
Your tour of Central Park begins in the Grand Army Plaza on the corner of 5th and 59th.
Art!
Get a crash course in New York City history and the early days of Central Park itself.
Central Park Zoo
Visit a zoo which sets the standard for all urban zoos, featuring rare and endangered animals like Antarctic penguins and a snow leopard.
Delacourte Clock
Stop by a peculiar clock with a few whimsical easter eggs for keen-eyed observers.
Music and More
Get acquainted with New York's talented amateur musicians and hear about some of the wildlife to keepy an eye out for.
Statue of Balto
Pause by this majestic statue of everyone's favorite canine hero and listen to a dramatic recounting of his true story.
Why’s Balto Here?
Find out why there's a statue of Balto in New York City, thousands of miles from where he performed his daring delivery.
The Mall & Literary Walk : Shakespeare and Columbus
Stroll one of the most picturesque spots in Central Park, surrounded by lush greenery and dotted with statues of famous figures from history.
Burns and Scott
Stop by the statues of a couple famous historical poets and learn a bit more about their lives and work.
Halleck and the Elms
Learn why Fitze-Green Halleck is the only American honored on Central Park's Literary Walk as you admire his statue.
Naumburg Bandshell
Dig into the long history of this famous bandshell, including the famous (and sometimes surprising) figures who have spoken here over the years.
Bethesda Terrace
Explore the heart of Central Park at this gorgeous Italian-style terrace.
Bethesda Fountain
Snap some selfies by the most famous fountain in New York City and find out which films have been shot here.
The Loeb Boathouse
Visit a landmark famous not only for its beauty, but also for its role as a setpiece in When Harry Met Sally and Manchurian Candidate.
Hans Christian Andersen Monument
Take a breather by this welcoming statue of the renowned children's author behind classics such as The Little Mermaid.
Alice in Wonderland
Visit a statue of Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the White Rabbit that was actually designed to be climbed on!
History of Central Park: Part Two
Dig deeper into Central Park's long history, from the start of construction to creative clashes among its designers.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Get in touch with your artistic side at one of the best museums in the world, boasting 5,000 years of art from all over the world.
The Obelisk
Gaze up at a huge Egyptian obelisk estimated to be around 3,500 years old!
Alexander Hamilton Monument
Hear the history of Founding Father (and recent Broadway musical star) Alexander Hamilton at this statue honoring his life.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservior
Walk along the shore of this huge, picturesque reservoir offering stupendous views of the city skyline.
Reservoir Facts
Get to know the history of the famous reservoir, including what famous figures have frequented this path in the past.
UES Skyline
Learn to identify some of the key buildings along the skyline of the Upper East Side.
Midtown Skyline
Look toward the Midtown Skyline and identify some key skyscrapers.
UWS Skyline
Get familiar with some important buildings composing the skyline of the Upper West Side.
Arthur Ross Pinetum
Stroll through verdant evergreens and find out why they were added to the park in the first place.
The Great Lawn
Gaze out across this immense green space and learn why it was once referred to as the "Great Dustbowl."
Delacorte Theater
Stop by an open-air theater which puts on regular performances of classic plays free of charge.
Belvedere Castle
Admire a striking castle which offers unbeatable views of the park and adds a touch of fairytale whimsy to the park.
Shakespeare Garden
Explore a garden populated entirely by flora mentioned in the plays and poems of William Shakespeare.
Strawberry Fields
Pay your respects at this moving, living memorial to the musician John Lennon.
Sheep Meadow
Take in a lovely green expanse that perfectly embodies the original vision for Central Park.
Volleyball
Play a game of pickup volleyball at one of these public courts!
The Carousel
Dive into the long and surprisingly fraught history of Central Park's famous carousel.
Umpire Rock
Find out what makes this huge, seemingly humble rock one of the most fascinating landmarks in the entire park.
Columbus Circle
Your tour concludes at Columbus Circle, at the corner of 8th and 59th.

Preview The Tour

Tour FAQs

Outdoor theatre, quaint cafés, ice skating rink, Reservoir running track, John Lennon memorial, Alice in Wonderland statue, and countless more attractions make this park a must-see for any tourist.

Yes, you should definitely go to Central Park! Central Park, one of the world’s most famous urban parks, located in Manhattan, New York City, and offers activities and attractions for all ages. Central Park is a must-see for locals, tourists, single travelers, and families. To find out more, we encourage you to read our blog post.

In general, it’s a good idea to plan for at least 2-3 hours to explore Central Park, as there is so much to see and enjoy. However, you can always adjust your pace and route based on your preferences and time constraints.

If you want to avoid the crowds, try going early in the morning or on weekdays.

1) Central Park is the oldest public park in the United States.

2) Central Park’s hills, forests, lakes, and other natural characteristics are completely man made.

3) The designers of the park were chosen in a public competition. Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who won it, established the park’s distinctive and creative design.

There is no admission fee to enter the park. However, some of the park’s activities and attractions may have a fee.

The park’s landscapes and habitats support a wide range of flora and fauna.Central Park is home to numerous iconic attractions. It covers over 840 acres in the heart of Manhattan.

From Central Park, one may proceed to Grand Central Terminal or Midtown Manhattan.