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Central Park Walking Tour

Central-Park-Private-Walking-Tour-1

Dear travelers hurry up! During busy summer & autumn months tours likely to sell out!

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  • Free Cancellation
Overview
Duration: 2 hours
Book Risk Free: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Free reschedule or full refund in case of bad weather
Tickets: Both printed and mobile tickets accepted

The walking tour covers all most beautiful sights of the southern half of Central Park. You will walk through some of the 58 miles of trails the park has to offer passing a lake, rocky outcrops, bridges, arches, sculptures and more.

This tour takes you off the beaten path to sights both the bikes and pedicabs cannot reach.

Highlights
41Conservatory_Gardens
Conservatory Gardens

One of the hidden wonders of Central Park, the Conservatory Garden, gives you the chance to experience the charms of a European gardens while in New York.

This six-acre garden has 3 sections – French, Italian and English, each offering its own plethora of flowers, fountains and neatly trimmed hedges. No wonder the place has become a favorite spot for weddings and picture taking.

 

21Belvedere_Castle
Belvedere Castle

Belvedere Castle was designed in 1865 as a way to bring fantasy and adventure to life right in the heart of Central Park. Translating from Italian as ‘beautiful view’, it is one of the most breathtaking sights in the entire park.

There are two balconies and a small promenade that offer enough of a Castle and one of kind views to make anyone feel like royalty.

 

22JKO_Reservoir
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

A marvel of engineering and a stunning facet of Central Park, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir holds a billion gallons of water.

Built in the 1860s to provide temporary water to the city, it is now arguably the most valuable waterfront real estate on the planet and a favorite jogging place for New Yorkers.

 

01Strawberry_Fields
Strawberry Fields

Probably one of the most visited spots in Central Park, Strawberry Fields is a living memorial to the world-famous singer, songwriter and peace activist, John Lennon.

The location was picked because it is directly across from the Dakota Apartments where John Lennon once lived and where he was murdered. A mosaic of stones forming a word “Imagine” lies in the center.

 

02Bethesda_Fountain
Bethesda Fountain

In 1832 thousands died in New York from a Cholera epidemic. Then Croton Aqueduct was built in 1842 and provided the New York with clean water, ending fears of another epidemic.

The Bethesda Fountain is in honor of the healing powers of that aqueduct and was unveiled in 1873. It is the only statue that was part of the original design of Central Park.

 

04The_Mall
The Mall

Perhaps the most photographed and famous spot in Central Park, The Mall was once the central promenade where people would stroll in their Sunday best.

Today it is known as one of the largest and last remaining stands of American Elms. The quadruple rows of the rare trees create a one of a kind canopy.

 

07Balto
Balto

In 1925 the city of Nome, Alaska was besieged with diphtheria. Dog sled team leading by Balto covered 674 miles over rough ice across treacherous waters through arctic blizzard to deliver antitoxin.

The statue has become a favorite place among kids who climb up on the dog hero celebrated in several books and in Steven Spielberg’s animated film, Balto.

 

06Alice_in_wonderland
Alice in Wonderland

In 1959, George Delacourte commissioned this statue as a gift to the children of New York. He choice Alice in Wonderland in memory of his late wife who often read the story to her children.

The gift has been well received as thousands of children have climbed, played and hidden among Alice, the MadHatter, the White Rabbit and the little dormouse.

 

05Bow_Bridge
Bow Bridge

Named for its curved shape, reminiscent of an archer’s bow, Bow Bridge is the second oldest iron bridge in the United States and the oldest one in Central Park.

It was built in 1862 and is considered one of the most romantic spots in the park. Several movies have taken advantage of the romantic setting including Manhattan, The Way We Were and Keeping the Faith.

 

12Carousel
Carousel

The Central Park Carousel is one of the most well-known features of the park since 1871. While three Carousels have been destroyed by fire, a new one always took its place.

Today the Carousel is one of the largest in the United States and is over 100 years old. It services over 250,000 people a year and features 57 hand carved horses.

 

23Shakespeare_Garden
Shakespeare Garden

Created in 1913, this 4 acres garden features the plants and flowers of the English countryside that inspired many of Shakespeare’s writings.

You will see rosemary and pansies referenced by Hamlet’s Ophelia, thistles from Much Ado About Nothing and even a white mulberry tree which is believed to be inculcated from a tree planted by the Shakespeare himself in 1602!

 

24Turtle_Pond
Turtle Pond

Turtle Pond rests at the foot of the famed Belvedere Castle and gets its name from a flourishing turtle population. The first turtles were released here by their owners in the 1980s and since then the population has exploded.

The pond is actually the last remnant of the Croton Water System which was the first steady source of clean water for the city.

 

26Great_Lawn
Great Lawn

Spanning over 55 acres, the Great Lawn lives up to its name. It has become a favorite spot for baseball games, picnics and sunbathing.

Lots of concerts have been held here drawing thousands of people. Biggest crowds were recorded during Elton John (300,000 attendees), Simon and Garfunkel (500,000 attendees) and Diana Ross concerts (800,000 attendees).

 

32Azalea_Pond
Azalea Pond

Azalea Pond is a favorite spot among bird watchers because birds flock there for the gentle stream and tall trees. The Pond is so named because of the 100-year-old Azalea plants that offer a gorgeous pop of color amongst all the greenery.

This area was designed to be reminiscent of the rugged and beautiful Adirondacks.

 

34Wagner_Cove
Wagner Cove

This beautiful and often forgotten part of the park offers a quiet retreat from the bustle of the city and is an ideal place for a date, a relaxed lunch, or quiet contemplation.

The Cove has become a desirable wedding location and is not to be missed, especially in Fall when the leaves of the surrounding trees turn to brilliant shades of red and yellow.

 

43Harlem_Meer
Harlem Meer

Harlem Meer was created as a memorial for the old village of Harlem that was settled by European settlers in the 17th century.

It is a thriving wildlife habitat and is a great spot for catch and release fishing, exploring, skating and swimming.

 

44Untermyer_Fountain
Untermyer Fountain

The Untermyer Fountain was donated to Central Park after the death of Samuel Untermyer in 1947. The fountain is a cast of the original fountain in Berlin and it remained at Untermyer’s residence until his death.

No one knows how Samuel Untermyer was able to get the cast made, but it has become a favorite addition to the Conservatory Garden.

 

51Burnett_Fountain
Burnett Fountain

The Burnett Fountain is seen as a memorial to the famed writer Frances Hodgson Burnett. It is placed in the English part of the Conservatory Garden is depicts characters from her novel, The Secret Garden.

Mary and Dickon look perfectly happy just enjoying their time in their own secret garden in Central Park as Dickon plays his flute and Mary watches the birds.

 

We can customize the tour route to focus on sites that will be most relevant to your interests. Some of the most popular sites:

  • Conservatory Gardens
  • Belvedere Castle
  • JKO Reservoir
  • Strawberry Fields
  • Bethesda Fountain
  • Cherry Hill
  • The Mall
  • Balto
  • Alice in wonderland
  • Bow Bridge
  • Wollman Rink
  • The Literary Walk
  • Summer Stage
  • Dairy
  • Carousel
  • Conservatory Waters
  • Bandshell
  • Loeb Boathouse
  • Shakespeare Garden
  • Turtle Pond
  • Swedish Cottage
  • Great Lawn
  • Delacorte Theater
  • Ladies Pavilion
  • The San Remo
  • Romeo and Juliet Statue
  • Seneca Village Site
  • Azalea Pond
  • Oak Bridge
  • Wagner Cove
  • Natural History Museum
  • Harlem Meer
  • Untermyer Fountain
  • Vanderbilt Gate
  • The Great Hill
  • Northern Woods
  • The Ravine
  • The Loch
  • Carnegie Mansion
  • Burnett Fountain
  • North Meadow
  • Blockhouse
  • Lasker Pool & Rink
  • Fort Fish
  • and many others!
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Why Choose Us?
Small Groups Small tour groups with maximum of 15 people for a personal experience
Amazing Guides Experienced and DCA licensed tour guides. A professional guide makes all the difference. Our guides rock! dca_license
Visual Aids Not just listen to commentary – see it! Our guides are equipped with rare historical pictures, movie slides and famous event photos! visual_aids
Optimized Route The tour runs optimized route providing lots of stops for the pictures & several 5-10 minutes stops at main sights.
Quality Equipment Quality 21 speed hybrid bike with comfort seat, basket, helmet and lock are included in the price. Tandems, kids bikes, trailers and baby seats are also available. equipment
Convenient Location Our tours start just one block away from Central Park, you won’t have to ride through city traffic to reach the park.

 

Meeting Point

57th St & 6th Ave, 2 blocks away from Central Park
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)

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Questions
How big is Central Park?

The area of Central Park is 843 acres or 6% of the total area of Manhattan Island.

Do i have to make reservation or can i buy ticket on the spot?

Reservations are required. They help us determine the number of guides we need to ensure that our groups remain manageable and enjoyable.

How far in advance can I book?

To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please buy your tickets well in advance.

What’s your cancellation policy?

We have 24 hours notice cancellation policy for public tours, and 48 hours notice cancellation policy for private tours.

What happens if it rains on the day of the tour?

If the weather is bad on the day/time of the tour you will be offered reschedule or full refund.

What forms of payment are accepted?

You can pay using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express credit and debit cards, or using Paypal.

Is my credit card safe?

Booking on CentralParkDiscovery.com is 100% safe! All information is encrypted and transmitted without risk using a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. SSL encrypts your personal information such as your password, address and telephone number, and your credit card is available only to you and the credit card companies. We do not save any of your credit card information in our database They are directly sent to the payment gateway for the transaction.

Do you offer group discounts?

Yes, we offer discounts for groups 12+ people. Use this group rates form to get a quote for your group.

Do you offer a school/student discounts?

We do not offer discounted student tickets to individuals. However we do for school groups of 12+ people, use this group rates form to get a quote for your school/student group.

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