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Katie Sagal

10+ Things to Do in Central Park During Your Trip to New York City

One of the most famous urban green spaces in the entire world is Central Park. Home to dozens of attractions like bike trails, sculptures, ponds, picnic spots, tours, and even a zoo, Central Park is bustling with excitement and energy. Come here to have fun and be active or to relax and unwind. Whatever your approach to Central Park, you’re bound to have a great time. If you’re looking for things to do in Central Park and near by during your trip to New York, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including...

Central Park Bike Rides
Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour
The nearby American Museum of Natural History
The nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art
And more!

Save on Central Park Attraction Admission

Admission to many of these top New York City attractions and activities and more are available on the New York Explorer Pass. Choose as you go from many top attractions and save up to 50% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more.

Central Park Full Day Bike Rental

Image of Backpack, Bag, Adult, Male, Man, Person, Bicycle, Vehicle, Cycling, Shoe, Road, One of the best ways to get around NYC while avoiding the notoriously terrible traffic (and the occasionally frustrating subway system) is to ride around on two wheels. Pick up a full day bike rental in Central Park for the opportunity to explore the city at your own pace and to be as active or as leisurely as you’d like. Getting In: Full Day Central Park Bike Rentals are available on the New York Explorer Pass.

Central Park Bike Tour

Image of People, Person, Helmet, Adult, Female, Woman, Bicycle, Cycling, Vehicle, Boy, Male, Teen, Shoe, If what you’re really interested in is a thorough exploration of the lovely Central Park, then a bike tour is a great option. Ride around for two hours while seeing the top sights and sounds of the country’s most popular urban park, with the chance to stop at major spots like the Imagine Mosaic, the Cherry Hill Fountain, Strawberry Fields, and many more. Getting In: Central Park Bike Tours are available on the New York Explorer Pass.

Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour

Image of City, Urban, Handbag, High Rise, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Photography, Grass, Nature, Outdoors, Park, Face, Head, Portrait, People, Necklace, Vegetation, Tree, Blouse, Water, Office Building, Condo, Enjoy a leisurely walking tour while taking a peek at over 40 TV and movie locations scattered throughout Central Park. You’ll recognize top sites from movies like Serendipity, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, When Harry Met Sally, and more. Don’t forget about TV shows like Glee! Getting In: Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tours are available on the New York Explorer Pass.

Central Park Walking Tour

Image of Art, Floral Design, Graphics, Pattern, Birthday Cake, Another fun walking tour option for the curious – this time focused on the Park as a whole, including major landmarks and famous sites. This easy two-hour walking tour covers a good amount of the park, from famous fountains and iconic statues to little-known paths and ponds. Getting In: Central Park Walking Tours are available on the New York Explorer Pass.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Image of Indoors, Museum, Person, Handbag, Of all the diverse art museums in NYC, the Met is probably the most iconic. Featuring some of the most famous paintings in the world alongside cultural artifacts stretching from the days of Ancient Egypt to the modern world, the Met is an unbeatable cultural attraction. Getting In: Metropolitan Museum of Art tickets are available on the New York Explorer Pass.

Central Park Zoo

Animal lovers of all ages will relish the chance to visit this charming little zoo, nestled in Central Park. With a surprising variety of species including grizzly bears and snow leopards, as well as the popular Tisch Children’s Zoo, this attraction can provide an enjoyable afternoon for the whole family. Getting In: Admission to the Central Park Zoo is separately ticketed and is not included on the New York Explorer Pass. To purchase tickets and for more information about this attraction, please visit the attraction website.

Lasker Rink

If you’ve seen a romantic movie or TV episode set in NYC in the winter, there’s a decent chance there’s some ice-skating involved, possibly even at Lasker Rink in Central Park. Throw on some skates and go for a spin around this modest but well-regarded rink on your next wintertime trip to New York. Getting In: Admission to Lasker Rink is separately ticketed and is not included on the New York Explorer Pass. To purchase tickets and for more information about this attraction, please visit the attraction website.

Things to Do Near Central ParkMuseum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Image of Tin, Can, Aluminium, Canned Goods, Food, Explore the New York City arts scene with a visit to one of the world’s premier art institutions – the Museum of Modern Art. The MoMA showcases modern and contemporary art from around the globe, with a little bit of everything from Van Gogh and Monet to Warhol and Pollack. Getting In: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) tickets are available on the New York Explorer Pass.

American Museum of Natural History

Image of Planetarium, City, Urban, One of the largest and most varied natural history museums in the world, the American Museum of Natural History is famous for many of its signature collections -- like dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and human cultural artifacts. Don’t miss a chance to explore their popular Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, complete with its 94-foot whale model. Getting In: American Museum of Natural History tickets are available on the New York Explorer Pass.

Guggenheim Museum

Image of City, Office Building, Convention Center, Lighting, Road, Street, Urban, Metropolis, Person, Condo, Housing, Another great modern art option for the culture buffs, the Guggenheim features a diverse collection of modern and contemporary art masterpieces in a variety of media. Be sure to appreciate the building itself, too – this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed structure is a twentieth-century marvel. Getting In: Guggenheim Museum tickets are available on the New York Explorer Pass.

The Met Breuer

Image of City, Office Building, Urban, High Rise, Road, Street, Apartment Building, Condo, Housing, Person, Car, Traffic Light, A newly opened attraction on the New York arts scene, Met Breuer is the place where the Met’s vast collections of modern and contemporary art have space to breathe. Visitors to the Met Breuer will appreciate the opportunity to see rarely displayed works of art that have been hidden away in storage for years, with everything from painting and sculpture to textiles and decorate arts making an appearance. Getting In: Met Breuer tickets are available on the New York Explorer Pass.

Museum of the City of New York

A smaller but no less fascinating museum, the Museum of the City of New York has a particular focus on the heritage, culture, and day-to-day experiences of NYC. Alongside some carefully curated permanent collections they offer special exhibitions, educational programs, and public events. Even New Yorkers get a lot out of a visit here! Getting In: Admission to the Museum of the City of New York is separately ticketed and is not included on the New York Explorer Pass. To purchase tickets and for more information about the attraction please visit the attraction website.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

These are our top recommendations for things to do in Central Park and near Central Park during your trip to New York City. Don’t forget - many of these great attraction options and more are included on the New York Explorer Pass®, which can save you up to 50% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. We hope you consider adding a few of these great attraction options to your NYC vacation plans.

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