Central Park stretches across 169 hectares of woodlands, green areas and sports grounds between the Upper East Side and Upper West Side. The park was designed by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted for the enjoyment of New Yorkers, and completed in 1873 – the pair were also responsible for renowned Stanford University campus and Niagara Reservation at Niagara Falls.

The city’s people flock to the park to make the most of the 93 kilometres of paths for walking, jogging and roller-blading, while younger visitors are sure to enjoy themselves in one or two of the 21 different playgrounds. Climb aboard a horse-and-carriage for a different view as you trot around the park. You can also enjoy a classic merry-go-round during the summer, or hire a boat and get out on the water for a placid hour; the Boathouse is open from April to October. Later on in the year, all of the family will enjoy skating serenely around one of the two ice rinks installed each year, while Central Park Zoo offers exotic exhibits all year round.

There are numerous landmarks and monuments spread around the grounds, from the delightful Bethesda Fountain to the top-class Loeb Boathouse Restaurant. Fans of the Beatles will be sure to check out the memorial to John Lennon in Strawberry Fields.

Admire the Arsenal, a former ammunition supply depot for the New York State National Guard, which takes a form very similar to that of a castle from medieval times. Bronze statues are scattered throughout the park, paying homage to a diverse range of personalities, all the way from Hans Christian Andersen to Romeo and Juliet.

Modern-day Hollywood films have often used the famous setting of the park as a backdrop for scenes. Some examples include the most typical of New York films, “Annie Hall”, as well as “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”, “Sex and the City: The Movie” and “When Harry Met Sally”.

The friendly staff at the park’s information kiosks will be happy to provide maps and guide books, and help with whatever queries you may have. Bring a picnic and spread yourself out on the Great Lawn, or pick up a hot dog or a pretzel from one of the many stalls selling tasty street food.

Central Park is easily accessible by bus and subway.

Accommodation in Central Park

Central Park is known as an excellent destination, with as many as 743 Central Park accommodation options to choose from on Expedia.

Why not begin your quest for the ultimate Central Park hotel by looking into the latest deals of the high-rating The St. Regis New York, located at Two East 55th St, and the Mandarin Oriental, New York, at 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street. Alternatively, the Chelsea Savoy Hotel, at 204 W 23rd Street, and the Off Soho Suites Hotel, at 11 Rivington St, are two thriftier options worth looking into.

While you are vacationing in Central Park of course you will want to visit Chrysler Building, so another option is to stay in the vicinity of this renowned attraction. The Langham Place, New York, Fifth Avenue is about 0.4 miles away. You might also like to check out The Towers at Lotte New York Palace, which is 0.4 miles away.

The world is full of adventure, and there are plenty of sensational experiences to be had when we dig out our passports and go on vacation.

Your trip to Central Park is just about to get a lot more exciting. There are loads of activities on offer, such as:

• Central Park Photography Lesson
• Self-Guided Bike Tour
• Central Park Pedicab Tour
• Central Park Guided Tour & All-Day Bike Rental
• Bike Ride & Picnic in Central Park
• Sunset Tour of Central Park

If you want to view a complete list of activities, jump onto our Central Park things to do page.

You won't believe how many activities there are at Central Park. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Central Park Photography Lesson
• Self-Guided Bike Tour
• Central Park Pedicab Tour
• Central Park Guided Tour & All-Day Bike Rental
• Bike Ride & Picnic in Central Park
• Sunset Tour of Central Park

If you're seeking even more options, examine our New York things to do page.

*Savings based on all vacation package bookings with Flight + Hotel on Expedia.ca from January through December 2019, as compared to price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.