10 Things to See in Central Park, New York

During your stay in New York, spend half a day or a full day exploring Central Park, Manhattan’s most iconic and largest park. With an area of 3.41 km² (1.3 sq mi), it’s massive—so what should you see? Here are 10 must-visit spots.

1/ The Mall

• The Mall is a tree-lined pedestrian avenue and one of Central Park’s most recognizable spots. New Yorkers call it “the promenade.” Take time to read the benches—each has a personalized plaque, and some feature quotes worth discovering.

2/ Bethesda Fountain

• North of the Mall stands Bethesda Fountain, the park’s most impressive fountain. Built between 1859 and 1864, this plaza overlooks The Lake, one of Central Park’s main bodies of water. On weekends, the area buzzes with activity—and the lake fills with rowboats. If you’d like to join them, you can rent a rowboat in Central Park.

3/ Bow Bridge

• A short walk west from Bethesda Fountain along the lake, you’ll find the Bow Bridge, Central Park’s most iconic bridge. Built in 1862 and spanning 26.5 m (87 ft), this bridge is one of the park’s most romantic spots. You might even witness a marriage proposal.

4/ Strawberry Fields

• Continue west along the lake to reach Strawberry Fields, a peaceful wooded area. Since 1985, it has housed a memorial to John Lennon, the former Beatles member who was killed in 1980 outside the Dakota building, just steps away.
• The memorial is simple: a mosaic with the word “Imagine,” referencing one of Lennon’s most famous songs.

5/ Alice in Wonderland

• On the park’s east side near 75th Street, you’ll find one of Central Park’s most striking sculptures: Alice in Wonderland. Unveiled in 1959, this sculpture is a favorite with children. Just across from it lies Conservatory Water, a small pond reserved for model sailboats.
• Also worth seeing as you head south: the small statue of Balto the dog near 67th Street. For more family-friendly activities, visit our guide to things to do with children in New York.

6/ Belvedere Castle

• This is one of my favorite spots in Central Park. A medieval castle replica in the middle of New York feels completely surreal. From the terrace, you get sweeping views of Turtle Pond below, the park itself, and the buildings of the Upper East Side. Visit in the afternoon so the sun is behind you for better photos.
• For more details, see our dedicated page on Belvedere Castle.

7/ The Ramble

• Between Bethesda Fountain and Belvedere Castle, take time to wander through The Ramble. This wooded area with its rolling terrain feels like a forest hike—yet you’re in the heart of Manhattan. It’s one of the park’s wildest sections.

8/ Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

• North of Belvedere Castle, the Reservoir is Central Park’s largest body of water. Unlike the Lake near Bethesda Fountain, you won’t see rowboats here—the reservoir supplies water to two other park lakes, The Pool and Harlem Meer in the park’s far north. Photographers will love the views of water and skyline.
• Film fans will recognize the Reservoir from many movies, including Marathon Man.

9/ Sheep Meadow

• Sheep Meadow is another favorite of mine. On sunny weekends, crowds of New Yorkers spread out on these lawns to sunbathe. It’s also an excellent spot for photos—you have enough distance to capture the park and skyline in the background.

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10/ Central Park Zoo

• If you’re traveling with children, take them to the Central Park Zoo. While not large, it offers a good variety of animals, including snow leopards, sea lions, and penguins. The zoo gained fame as the setting for the animated film Madagascar.

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Tip: Rent a bike to explore Central Park.

Renting a bike is the most efficient way to see the park without spending hours on foot. Learn more on our page about bike rentals in Central Park.