NYC Central Park Self-Guided Walking Tour

18 Reviews4.89 out of 5 stars Based on 18 reviews collected by Cool New York City and TripAdvisor |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
New York City, USA

Loading Options

1 to 2 hours (Approx.)
Mobile Ticket
Instant Confirmation

Overview

Welcome to Central Park, a leafy oasis in the heart of the Big Apple! This self-guided walking tour explores all the best spots in the park, from the super-popular Bethesda Terrace (featured in countless movies and shows) to the scenic Mall walkway, Central Park Zoo, and so much more! As you walk, hear the unexpected stories behind the park, its many attractions, and the early days of New York City.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

What's Included

  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
See 5 moreSee 3 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Grand Army Plaza, New York, NY 10019, USA

Open in Google Maps

After booking, search your email for "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow instructions NOW with Wi-Fi/data. Don't wait until onsite. What to bring: Charged smartphone, Power Bank, Headphones, & downloaded tour app.

End point

Columbus Circle, 848 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019, USA

Start Time

Opening Hours

  • 6/26/2020 - 3/3/2026

    Monday - Sunday | 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM

What To Expect

Grand Army Plaza

Your tour of Central Park begins in the Grand Army Plaza on the corner of 5th and 59th. From here, you'll walk all the way to the reservoir and back, stopping at all the park's top spots along the way.NOTE: This 6-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Central Park in 1 hours.Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Central Park Zoo

The Central Park Zoo sets the standard for all urban zoos to follow. This 6.5-acre zoo features all kinds of rare and endangered animals, including Antarctic penguins and a snow leopard!
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Delacorte Clock

This clock isn't just for telling time! It's decorated with whimsical depictions of animals playing all manner of instruments, like a bear with a tambourine and a kangaroo with a horn!
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Balto Statue

This statue commemorates everyone's favorite husky, who became famous when he brought lifesaving medicine to a remote Alaskan town through blinding blizzards and subzero temperatures. The dog himself was actually in attendance for the unveiling of this statue!
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Mall and Literary Walk

One of the most picturesque spots in Central Park, the Mall is surrounded by lush greenery and dotted with statues of famous figures from history. Among them: the revered playwright Shakespeare and the controversial explorer Christopher Columbus. As you walk, you'll learn more about the various statues and why they ended up here.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Naumburg Bandshell

This striking bandshell was built in 1923 and has since been host to countless famous speakers. Martin Luther King, Jr. once delivered a speech here, as did Cuban leader Fidel Castro! It's still in use today, and frequently features free classical and jazz concerts.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bethesda Terrace

This gorgeous Italian-style terrace is the heart of Central Park. It was crucial to the original design for the park and remains one of the most beautiful places in New York City to this day. It has an upper and a lower section, both of which are simply breathtaking.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bethesda Fountain

At 26 feet tall and almost 100 feet across, this fountain is impossible to miss. It's topped by a sculpture known as the Angel of the Waters, which was the only statue included in the original design for Central Park. Here, you'll also get a glimpse at Central Park's long cinematic history.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Loeb Boathouse

The Loeb Boathouse is a fine dining establishment which also operates a functioning boathouse for folks who are looking to relax on the water for a while. It has also been the setpiece for scenes in When Harry Met Sally and Manchurian Candidate.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hans Christian Andersen Monument

This bronze statue honors Hans Christian Andersen, the beloved Danish children’s author responsible for works such as "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling." From here, you might also see model sailboats on the water, as long as the weather is warm enough.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Alice in Wonderland Statue

This large statue of Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the White Rabbit from Lewis Carroll's classic book is a favorite among kids. It was actually designed to be climbed on, and the polished, shiny bronze stands as a testament to how successful this design ended up being.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Colloquially known as the Met, this is one of the most famous museums in the world. It boasts 5,000 years of art from all over the world, from European masters like Monet to artifacts from ancient Egypt and beyond. If you're a lover of art or history, this is a must-see spot.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Obelisk

This huge Egyptian obelisk was moved here in 1881, and it's not a replica! The 220-ton monument is estimated to be around 3,500 years old, originally commissioned by a pharoah to celebrate his reign.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Alexander Hamilton Monument

Alexander Hamilton may have been popularized by the Broadway play, but this monument has been here well before anyone thought to put the man on stage. And for good reason! Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and served as George Washington's right hand man during the American Revolution.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

This enormous reservoir holds about a billion gallons of water and makes for a beautiful centerpiece to the park. It was once intended to supply the entire city with clean water. Today, it's a fabulous spot to take a break and admire the city's skyline.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Arthur Ross Pinetum

The Arthur Ross Pinetum was designed with one specific purpose in mind: Add a splash of green to the park during the long, bleak winter months. If you're visiting after the leaves have fallen from the other trees, it makes for a lovely change of scenery.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Great Lawn

This 55-acre green space once hosted huge concerts featuring headliners like Elton John. Unfortunately, all those crowds turned it into what some called "The Great Dustbowl." Today, however, it's back to its old self, and is an ideal spot for a picnic.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Delacorte Theater

This open-air theater is home to the Public Theater, which puts on regular performances of Shakespeare and other classic plays. One of the coolest things about it? Productions here are totally free! Visitors need only stand in line to get in.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Belvedere Castle

Belvedere Castle offers unbeatable views of the park and the surrounding city. It also adds a pleasant touch of fairytale whimsy visitors are sure to love.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Shakespeare Garden

The flora on display in this beautiful garden are only those mentioned in William Shakespeare’s many plays and poems. The aim was to recreate, in spirit, the English countryside where the Bard of Avon lived.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Strawberry Fields, John Lennon Memorial

This memorial honors the musician John Lennon. Yoko Ono, his widow, didn't want another statue in Central Park, so instead the sculptor created a striking mosaic unlike anything else in the park.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sheep Meadow

Sheep Meadow is a lovely green expanse that perfectly embodies the original vision for Central Park: A place where locals and visitors alike can relax and enjoy nature away from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Umpire Rock

Umpire Rock is by far the oldest thing you'll see in Central Park, clocking in at over 500 million years old! It's a hunk of bedrock that workers weren't able to remove when clearing the land for the park's construction, and stands today as a landmark in its own right.
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Columbus Circle

Columbus Circle, at the corner of 8th and 59th, marks the end of your tour. It also marks the boundary of a vibrant, thriving neighborhood just waiting to be explored!
Read more

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Show 22 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
  • Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share one tour by splitting headphones

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We’re here to help.
Live Chat, Text, Call, or Email our friendly customer support with your questions.

Activity code: C-259428P11

Reviews

4.89
18 reviews

Average 4.89 out of 5 stars based on 18 traveler reviews collected by Cool New York City and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
16
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Similar Tours & Activities

NYC: Statue of Liberty and Skyline Sightseeing Cruise
Likely to Sell Out

NYC: Statue of Liberty and Skyline Sightseeing Cruise

3
 60 to 90 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$49.99

Secrets of Greenwich Village, New York Walking Tour

Secrets of Greenwich Village, New York Walking Tour

2
 2 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$20

Met Museum & Central Park - Skip-the-Line Exclusive Guided Combo Tour

Met Museum & Central Park - Skip-the-Line Exclusive Guided Combo Tour

 5 hours 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$196.73

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

 3 to 4 hours  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$30

American Dream Nickelodeon Universe Indoor Theme Park Ticket
Likely to Sell Out

American Dream Nickelodeon Universe Indoor Theme Park Ticket

 1 day  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$62.91