Exploring Central Park from 72nd Street to 97th Street

Ready to continue your walking journey through the heart of Manhattan? Let’s dive in! Welcome to part two of my Central Park walking guide, a series where I take you on a tour of New York City’s largest and most iconic outdoor feature, highlighting must-see landmarks, hidden gems, and everything you’ll discover along the way. If you’d like to know more about the lower third of the park, go check out my walking guide on the South Side of Central Park!

Today, I’m covering the middle section, from 72nd Street to 97th Street. There’s a lot to cover, so I’ve divided it into three zones: the West Side, Middle, and East Side. It’s a doozy of a section, so buckle up.

What’s on the West Side?

Begin by entering the park on 72nd Street and Central Park West. The lower section of Central Park bleeds into Strawberry Fields, a path and memorial dedicated to the great John Lennon. This section begins at 72nd Street and rambles up along a trail called Bridle Path, sprinkled with vibrant foliage, secret streams, and wide paths for walkers who hate getting stuck behind slow groups (me).

If you walk along the West Drive, east of Bridle Path, you’ll find yourself walking along the Central Park Lake, one of the park’s most extraordinary features. This grand body of water provides ample photo opportunities as well as waterside benches, beautiful flowers, and shared space for swift walkers and leisurely strollers alike.

You can follow Bridle Path or the West Drive all the way up through the entire Middle West section of Central Park where you’ll get a good amount of steps in without many interruptions. These paths are great for those who walk for exercise or runners looking for a straight shot through the park. You’ll get a great taste of nature without the distractions of urban life.

Around 86th Street, you’ll find some open greenery where in the winter, children use it as a sledding hill. You can try to sled in the summer, but you won’t have much luck, so I’d stick to walking.

What’s in the middle?

Here’s where things get really juicy. The middle center of Central Park offers countless treasures, beginning with the Lake. If you wander to the north side of the Lake, you’ll find yourself immersed in wilderness. This is called the Ramble, which is a fan favorite of the Central Park woodlands. The Ramble twists and turns, ascends and dips, and submerges you in wildlife, which includes the best spots in the park for bird watching. This area was designed to model upstate New York, and I believe it does just that.

The Ramble

As you make your way through the Ramble, you’ll find great vistas along the water where you’ll get a glimpse of the grand Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, and the Boat House. The Boat House Restaurant and Cafe is a delightful yet pricey excursion I highly recommend you indulge in if you’re in the mood for something elegant. You’ll also find free public restrooms on the side of the cafe.

North of the Ramble, after you’ve hiked all the way through the woods, you’ll pass the 79th Street Transverse highway, and stumble onto Turtle Pond. This adorable little water body offers a refreshing break from wooded wildlife with lots of turtles and a quiet place to regroup.

On the West Side of the pond is the great Belvedere Castle, one of Central Park’s hidden gems, and a great lookout and photo opportunity. This Victorian-style structure adds to the mystery of the park, leaving visitors wondering what else might be hidden within the trees. And let me tell you, there’s a lot.

Above Turtle Pond and the Castle is the Great Lawn. As it says in the name, this is a really great lawn. You can do laps around the Great Lawn over and over and never run out of juice. You’ll also get a great view of the skyscrapers along Billionaire’s Row from the northern tip of the field.

Keep moving north of the Great Lawn to find a playground and some great picnicking spots to the left. To the right are the 86th Street Basketball Courts. Walk past that and now you’ve made it to one of the most impressive Central Park features: the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. This 106-acre pool will take you around a beautiful path with great views of the surrounding buildings and provide fresh, open air, perfect for summer vibes. Follow the ‘one-way’ rule and walk with pedestrian traffic to enjoy this park gem to the fullest.

*The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir*

What’s on the East Side?

To take a stroll along the Middle East section of Central Park, enter at East 72nd Street and 5th Ave. Start by walking North, across Terrace Drive, and you’ll come to the Conservatory Water. This elegant little feature was designed after Parisian parks to give you that small slice of European charm you’ve been craving. This man-made pond offers a gorgeous fun outing with remote-controlled boats for visitors to tinker with, the Le Pain Quotidien Cafe, and public restrooms. On the north end of the Conservatory Water, you’ll see the extraordinary Alice in Wonderland Statue.

After you and Alice exchange pleasantries, continue North to find a charming path underneath a bridge, surrounded by flowers and fresh grass. At 81st Street, you’ll bump into the magnificent Metropolitan Museum of Art along 5th Ave. You can leave the park momentarily to take some photos on the iconic steps of the Met and enjoy any of the unnecessary amount of hot dog carts along the sidewalk.

Along the East Side of the Great Lawn, and next to the Reservoir is the east strip of Bridle Path, perfect for those looking to get their steps in without having to navigate their own trail.

And that’s the middle section of Central Park! I hope this helped you scope out your next walk and you continue to fall in love with Central Park as I have. And lace up your shoes because we’ve got some more walks coming as we cover the third and final section of the park: the North Side.

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