“Mornings begin here. So do proposals, protests, and piano solos with no audience.”
Central Park doesn’t belong to one version of New York. It belongs to all of them. Dog walkers and sax players. Kids chasing bubbles and brides in heels. It’s the one place where the city takes a deep breath and doesn’t rush it.
Frederick Law Olmsted called it “the lungs of the city,” but it’s more than that. It’s rhythm, refuge, and ritual. A green space imagined as a democratic escape, still delivering on that promise nearly two centuries later.
What makes Central Park special?
It’s not just the beauty. It’s the way the park reveals New York’s many selves: quiet and chaotic, playful and powerful. You’ll find ornate architecture beside puddle-splashing toddlers, literary tributes beside dancers in headphones. No matter the season, there’s something timeless here that makes you slow down and look closer.
With this self-guided GPS audio tour, you can walk through the park at your own pace. No group. No guide. No Wi-Fi. Just stories that come alive exactly where they happened.
Catch the animal antics at the Central Park Zoo and pause at the whimsical Delacorte Clock, where bronze animals mark the hour in a musical parade. The statue of Balto, a heroic sled dog, stands mid-stride in bronze. His story still surprises passersby from around the world.
Beneath the tall elms of The Mall, stroll into the literary heart of the park. Here, stone and bronze honor Shakespeare, Fitz-Greene Halleck, and even Christopher Columbus, with plenty of stories and controversies to unpack along the way.
At the Naumburg Bandshell, stand where Martin Luther King Jr. once spoke and where musicians still gather to test echoes. Just ahead, the grand Bethesda Terrace unfolds like a stage, featuring archways, fountains, angel statues, and evoking memories from films like Home Alone 2 and The Avengers.
Wander further to meet Hans Christian Andersen reading to a duck, and Alice in Wonderland surrounded by children climbing her mushroom, just like generations before.
On the east side, the steps of The Met evoke the rich history and culture that coexist with the natural surroundings here. Around the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, the skyline reflects in rippling water while joggers pass by.
From the openness of the Great Lawn, where legends like Elton John have performed, to the turrets of Belvedere Castle, every corner has its voice. You will find stillness at Strawberry Fields, a tribute to John Lennon and a space for quiet reflection. Then comes the joyfully old-fashioned Carousel, still spinning with laughter after all these years.
And when the tour ends, don’t rush out. Find a bench, sip a coffee, listen to a street violinist, or sit still for once. That’s kind of what this place was made for.
Traveling for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Great timing. Several host cities also happen to be Action Tour Guide destinations. Use flexible self-guided audio tours to explore more between matches, with GPS-triggered stories that fit your schedule and pace.
With the New York Self-Guided Walking Tours Bundle, you unlock multiple NYC routes in one go, from Central Park and Midtown to Brooklyn, Wall Street, and Battery Park.
Want all of our tours? Upgrade to Action+:
- An annual $99.99/year subscription offers access to over 200+ tours.
- Unlimited use throughout the year.
- Includes free access to new tours as they are released.
Nearby Tours
Walking
17 Stories
1 - 2 Hrs
Walking
25+ Stories
1 - 2 Hrs
Walking
35+ Stories
1 - 2 Hrs
Walking
25+ Stories
1 - 2 Hrs
Walking
25+ Stories
1 - 2 Hrs
Central Park Tour Map
Where To Start?
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good Wi-Fi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- 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.
New York Central Park Audio Tour
Things to do on the Tour Include:
-
Introduction
-
Art!
-
Central Park Zoo
-
Delacourte Clock
-
Music and More
-
Statue of Balto
-
Why’s Balto Here?
-
The Mall & Literary Walk : Shakespeare and Columbus
-
Burns and Scott
-
Halleck and the Elms
-
Naumburg Bandshell
-
Bethesda Terrace
-
Bethesda Fountain
-
The Loeb Boathouse
-
Hans Christian Andersen Monument
-
Alice in Wonderland
-
History of Central Park: Part Two
-
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
-
The Obelisk
-
Alexander Hamilton Monument
-
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservior
-
Reservoir Facts
-
UES Skyline
-
Midtown Skyline
-
UWS Skyline
-
Arthur Ross Pinetum
-
The Great Lawn
-
Delacorte Theater
-
Belvedere Castle
-
Shakespeare Garden
-
Strawberry Fields
-
Sheep Meadow
-
Volleyball
-
The Carousel
-
Umpire Rock
-
Columbus Circle
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.
Explore 200+ Tours
Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Tours are valid forever.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or Wi-Fi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, get travel tips, hear narrated guides, and see hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
