Whether you’re a history buff or a nature lover, a tour of Central Park is sure to entertain every kind of visitor. There’s something for everyone across Central Park’s 843 acres of idyllic woodlands, grassy lawns, historical monuments, performance spaces, sports arenas, and more. If you’re a first-time visitor, you won’t want to miss out on any of its main attractions, which are scattered throughout the massive park. And walking through the park to get to them is an experience of its own. A good walking tour of Central Park takes you through all the major destinations inside the park and keeps you on the scenic route.
Central Park’s major destinations
Many of Central Park’s most popular areas are concentrated in the southern part of the park. Be sure to stroll through the Mall and Literary Walk, a majestic avenue in the middle of the park lined with towering oaks and statues of historical figures. For movie fans, Bethesda Terrace is an unmissable stop. Its striking Italianate architecture and lily-dappled fountain make it a popular choice for film shoots, including Disney’s “Enchanted,” “Home Alone 2,” and Marvel’s “Avengers.” The Bethesda Fountain melds into the lake, home to the movie-famous Victorian Bow Bridge and the Loeb Boathouse, which offers rowboats, kayaks, and gondolas for rent and is home to a classic restaurant with views of the lake. Belvedere Castle is just north across the Ramble, which finished a $12 million renovation in 2019 and overlooks the Shakespeare Garden.
The elegant north side of Central Park
However, don’t sleep on the park’s northern side either—the Metropolitan Museum of Art borders the reservoir, a must-visit for fine art enthusiasts. The pool is an expansive body of water, especially popular with joggers. Still, it also has some of the most picturesque skyline views, including the staggering skyscrapers of Billionaire’s Row and the aristocratic French chateaus of Fifth Avenue. Action Tour Guide’s self-guided walking tour takes roughly three hours to complete and takes you through all the park’s most important attractions. But no matter how you choose to spend your time in Central Park, there’ll always be more for you to explore on your next visit. For the eight million New Yorkers who regularly seek diversion and an escape from the city bustle, Central Park’s charms never run out.
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