Central Park

Stop on Best of New York City in 24 Hours, a free self-guided tour.

The greatest urban park in America, Central Park is 843 acres of meadows, forests, ponds, and paths in the very heart of Manhattan. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, it receives over 40 million visitors each year. Highlights include Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, the Loeb Boathouse, Strawberry Fields (a tribute to John Lennon), the Central Park Zoo, the Great Lawn, and the spectacular Bow Bridge. In summer, free Shakespeare in the Park performances take place at the Delacorte Theater. Strolling, cycling, rollerblading, and picnicking are all part of the Central Park experience. Free and open every day of the year.