Central Park
Where: Central Park is located at 59th -110th Sts
The carriage rides start and end from 59th St.
How to get there: Catch the subway to Columbus Circle and then walk towards 6th St. (Avenue of the Americas)
Cost: The park is free to enter.
The Travel Concierge Fact: Some famous films have been shot in Central Park including Elf, Enchanted, Men In Black 3, The Avengers, One Fine Day, When In Rome and Home Alone 2.
Bike Riding in Central Park: Bike riding in Central Park is so much fun. What isn't fun is trying to rent them.This can become a nightmare trying to get bikes as a number of groups will be standing at entrances to Central Park giving you amazing costs for bike rental. When you agree you then realise the pick up point is a long hike away and the rental time starts when you pick them up. The 2 that we have found are easiest and best are Central Park Bike Rental. They are at 117 W 58th St. Their website is here. They are only 1 block from the park.
Playgrounds for kids: Whenever we have travelled to New York with children our first full day in town we head up to Central Park and let them play at Hecksher Park which is easily accessible from the 59th st entrances off Center Drive. They love to let off steam and this is one of those "feel like a local' moments. A map of Playgrounds in Central Park
The Travel Concierge Tip: In warmer weather dress your kids with swimming cossies underneath and bring a towel. They have water fountains to cool the children off and you KNOW your kids will want in on that!
Carriage Rides: The carriage ride prices are negotiable, but around $60 for a carriage to take you around a section of the park for about 20 minutes. You can just turn up on the day. They might be busy when you turn up, but we have always just walked up. You could always explore the park and come back.
Walking through Central Park: Below is a list of highlights through the park and where they are in relation to the streets along the edge of Central Park.
The Travel Concierge tip: The lamp posts throughout Central Park give directions. The first 2 numbers show the nearest cross street and the 2nd 2 numbers say how many lamp posts you are away from either 5th Avenue (east) or Central Park west (west) . e.g. E7803 is east near 78th street. It is 3 lamp posts from 5th Ave.
64th Street Traverse -The Carousel. It is located mid-park. The ride is $3. (cash only) April to October it operates 10-6. November to March it operates shorter hours. Also here is the Wollman Rink.
72nd St Traverse- Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, Hans Christian Andersen statue, Alice in Wonderland statue, Bow Bridge, Mother Goose statue, Balto statue, The Mall, Boathouse and row boats. Row boats are $15 per hour (cash only) with a $20 deposit.
The Travel Concierge tip: The Loeb Boathouse can be an expensive meal that not everyone can afford and with children, not an option. There is a takeaway section that has some really good choice meals. Pull up a patch of grass under the trees. You can chill while the kids run around you.
79th St Traverse- Belvedere Castle, Turtle Pond, The Shakespeare Gardens, Charles B Stover bench, Swedish Cottage
The Travel Concierge Fact: The Charles B Stover bench is similar to the Grand Central Station Whispering Wall. If a person sits on each end and one whispers into the corner it will acoustically travel clearly to the person on the other end.
81st St Traverse- Metro Museum, Obelisk
The Travel Concierge tip:
-While the suggested admission(donation) cost to get into the Met museum is $25A $17 seniors and $12 students, they will accept any amount you are ok to pay. If you are on an overseas trip costing you tens of thousands of $ and all you can afford to pay within your budget is $20 for your family, they will let you in.
-Make the most of your limited time in the MET and look at a map of the museum and prioritise what exhibits and gallery areas you want to see first. MET museum website
85th St Traverse- The Shuman Running Track and Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.
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