Central Park Walking Tour: The 10 Best Spots

The Pond

Explore one of the best parks in NYC.

For those unfamiliar, Central Park can feel like a labyrinth of mazes and mysteries that swallow visitors and never let them go. Embarking on a quest through these massive grounds can feel like a confusing—albeit picturesque—adventure until you know which landmarks to visit and which paths to follow.

The best way to see Central Park in New York is on foot. The park provides the best walks in NYC, and none of them seem to get old. The question is, where do you start? I’ve narrowed down what I believe are the 10 best places to walk in Central Park.

1. The Mall and Literary Walk

Location: The bottom center of Central Park from 66th to 72nd Streets. Enter via the 64th Street entrance along Central Park West and walk deeper east into the park past the Heckscher Ballfields and Carousel, and past Sheep Meadow until you see the really tall trees.

This iconic Central Park walkway takes you through a passage of elm trees and releases you at the grand Bethesda Fountain. For bookworms and history buffs alike, The Literary Walk at the southern end of the Mall offers several historic statues honoring famous literary icons such as William Shakespeare. The walk puts an emphasis on women’s history with statues of significant female pioneers such as Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

The Mall and Literary Walk

The Women’s Rights Pioneers Statue

At the northern tip of the Mall is the Bethesda Terrace, which overlooks the Fountain, a most impressive Central Park feature. The best time to visit this area is in the late spring and summer when the water is turned on, and the surrounding lake reflects the trees’ green glow.

Less extravagant than the Terrace, though just as significant, are public restrooms located as you journey down the big white steps to the Bethesda Fountain. These are not the most reliable bathrooms as they seem to be somehow always closed for maintenance. But if you’re lucky, you’ll catch them at the right time.

Underneath the Terrace is the Arcade, often occupied by an acoustic guitar player whose lovely ballads echo throughout the chamber. This area of the park accurately displays New York’s split personalities—you may see wedding photos being taken under the arches of the Arcade feet away from a street performer blowing bubbles the size of horses with a gigantic bubble wand.

The Bethesda Fountain

2. The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

Location: The heart of Central Park between 86th and 96th Streets.

On this elegant walk around a glistening body of water, you’ll find yourself in disbelief that a place like Times Square is only two miles away. The Central Park Reservoir is a 106-acre landmark sequestered between 86th and 96th Streets, waiting to blow the minds of unknowing visitors.

I recommend coming to the Reservoir during a dry day, as I have spent far too much time jumping over piles of mud and large puddles after a rainstorm. I always recommend walking in the park during the spring and summer but I must say this particular area reaches its yearly peak in October when the trees have transitioned into their coats of red, orange, and yellow.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

3. The Central Park Lake

Location: The center of Central Park (enter through the West 72nd Street entrance along Central Park West and keep walking deeper into the park until you find the Lake).

If you found the Bethesda Fountain, you also saw the Central Park Lake, which runs from the Boat House all the way under the Bow Bridge, and over to the west side. On a nice day, my favorite thing to do is walk west around the lake, past the Cherry Hill Fountain, and around the corner. I follow the path north along the water where there’s plenty of vibrant flowers and waterside seating to keep me interested. And if you venture over to the east side of the Lake, you’ll find the Boat House Cafe and Restaurant, with free public restrooms and delicious food.

The Central Park Lake featuring Bow Bridge

Beware of how romantic this walk can feel. Between the handsome Victorian architecture of Bow Bridge and boaters rowing their way across the water, the Central Park Lake creates an enchanting ambiance to reel in even the most cynical of walkers. I was once asked by an anxious photographer to help facilitate a proposal along this walk, right on the edge of the Lake. I spent a reasonable amount of time politely asking New Yorkers to move from their spot—which is a courageous thing to do—to make room for the couple on their way down from the Bridge. She said yes, probably because she was under the spell of the Lake.

The Central Park Lake (west side)

4. The Conservatory Water

Location: East 74th Street and 5th Ave.

This is one of my favorite NYC gems that often gets overlooked by more spectacular water bodies like the Reservoir. But if you’re looking for a more quaint and compact area, this place might be for you.

The Conservatory Water

An Alice in Wonderland statue sits at the north end, which is just one of the Conservatory Water’s exquisite attractions. Come in the late spring and summer to witness visitors—and yourself, if you’d like—sail small, remote-controlled boats across the water after grabbing a coffee and a bombolone from Le Pain Quotidien. Public restrooms are located on the side of the cafe and are free for any visitor to use.

Le Pain Quotidien Cafe at the Conservatory Water

South of the Conservatory Water is a lovely stroll down the east side of the park that’ll take you as far as you’d like to go. Many of the flowers nearby and scattered throughout the park are daffodils given to New York from Holland after the 9/11 attacks. This gesture was meant to restore some of the city's lost beauty.

For a pit stop-loving crew, this is the perfect trail to follow, with a hot dog cart usually stationed right on the corner of East 72nd Street and many benches for resting.

5. Strawberry Fields and Bridle Path

Location: Central Park via West 72nd Street and Central Park West.

It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter, and a good walk could be all you need to take a load off. Strawberry Fields is a special section of the park dedicated to the great John Lennon. You’ll pass the Dakota Building across the street from the park’s West 72nd Street entrance, where Lennon once lived and was, as we know, murdered. No matter when you walk through this area of the park you’ll see visitors circling the ‘Imagine’ mosaic, leaving flowers, and swaying to the melodies of street performers paying tribute with Beatles classics.

The John Lennon Memorial

After you’ve seen the mosaic, turn back around to the park entrance and make a left for a delightful trail up the west side of the park, surrounded by streams, trees, and flowers. This is Bridle Path, which sounds as luscious as it looks. You can follow this trail all the way up through most of the west side.

Bridle Path

6. The Belvedere Castle and Great Lawn

Location: Heart of Central Park between 81st and 84th Streets.

One of the hidden gems NYC has to offer is the Belvedere Castle in Central Park, which will scoop you out of the city and politely drop you into Victorian-era Europe. This small but sophisticated feature sits proudly in the heart of the park, with a vista ready to greet travelers who unexpectedly stumble upon its humble quarters.

The Belvedere Castle

The Great Lawn and Turtle Pond

After you’ve gawked at the view of Turtle Pond from the Castle, the Central Park Great Lawn will be waiting for you to the north, beckoning you to frolic. On a sunny day, this field provides one of the many picnic spots NYC has to offer, and a built-in Central Park walking path around the perimeter. From the northern tip, you’ll see a stop-you-in-your-tracks view of Billionaire’s Row, already in position for that Instagram photo. Up and to the west of the Great Lawn is a classic NYC playground for the kids and another small ball field. Down and to the east is 81st Street and 5th Avenue, the Metropolitan Museum of Art location.

7. The Hallett Nature Sanctuary

Location: Southern strip of Central Park. Enter at 59th Street at Columbus Circle (west side) or 5th Ave (east side)

The southern strip of Central Park is sprinkled with bits of wilderness, including the Hallett Nature Sanctuary. Open from 10 am to sundown, this four-acre nature preserve will scratch your wildlife itch with birds and foliage galore. Be prepared for an uphill climb through this wooded trail, and many secret vistas within the trees.

The Hallett Nature Sanctuary Gate

Hallet Nature Walk

8. The Pond

Location: Southeast corner of Central Park at 59th Street and 5th Ave.

After conquering the nature sanctuary, you can continue southeast where you’ll stumble upon an adorable little pond, appropriately named The Pond, with turtles, ducks, and painting-worthy greenery. At the northwest corner of the Pond, you’ll see the Gapstow Bridge, a perfect lookout and photo opportunity. You’ll also have a glimpse of the iconic Plaza Hotel, an extraordinary luxury stay, but more importantly, Kevin McCallister’s place of residence in Home Alone 2.

The Pond

Continue east past the parking lot to find the Central Park Zoo. While admission into the Zoo is not free, walking through the main strip won’t cost you anything. They’ve made the happy mistake of placing the coolest animals, the sea lions, in a pool where anyone walking by can see without having to buy a ticket. So, if you want to stop and peer at our aquatic cousins, it’s more than within your right to do so.

The Central Park Zoo is also home to the rotating animal clock. Over the arches at the northern entrance of the Zoo is a clock with statues of animals underneath. Every hour, the animals rotate clockwise, which is always fun to witness.

The Central Park Zoo

9. The Ravine and Loch

Location: Upper Central Park. Enter around West 101st Street and walk past the Pool. There will be signs to guide you.

For those who want to feel removed from the city and hide away in one of the greenest, most tranquil sections of the park, the Ravine and Loch is where you should head. I stumbled upon this upper Central Park gem by accident and consider it to be one of the park’s hidden mysteries. This area of Central Park feels less inhabited, beginning around W 101st Street, and taking you through secret waterfalls and fairytale-like scenery. I half expected a troll to pop out from underneath one of the wooden bridges and start reading me riddles.

The Ravine and Loch

10. The Ramble

Location: Center of Central Park on the north side of the Lake.

For a change of pace from delicate strolls through beautiful meadows, strap on your hiking shoes and venture into the Ramble. With twisting hills and luxurious views of the Lake, the Ramble will take you on a journey through the center of Central Park. The most popular of all the Central Park woodlands, the Ramble was designed to resemble that of upstate New York, leaving you with a sense of boundlessness as you trek through the forest.

Tell a friend to tell a bird lover that the Ramble is one of the best places in the park for birdwatching. Grab those binoculars, assemble your trail mix, and head straight to the center of the park.

The Ramble

Honorable Mention*

The Conservatory Gardens

Location: East 104th and 106th Streets

As the only formal garden in Central Park, you’ll be whisked off your feet by the sophisticated beauty of the Conservatory Gardens. Take a stroll through this area of the park to experience French-style design and lively floral displays without having to leave the country.

The Conservatory Gardens’ North Garden