Best Central Park Tours You Can Take In New York City

By jhenr | Updated July 19th, 2022

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So you’re in New York City on vacation and want to see Central Park, but where do you start? Luckily, we’ve done the legwork to find some of the best Central Park tours available so that you can get out there and enjoy one of the most famous urban parks in the world. For each tour listed below, we’ve included details about what you can expect and information on tour groups that provide them. Enjoy your visit!

Central Park Walking Tour

Aerial view of Manhattan New York looking north up Central Park

Central Park is a must-see on any trip to NYC. Fortunately, guided tours like “By Manhattan and Beyond Tours” take tourists and locals to the best parts of Central Park without getting lost.

The groups are relatively small, and it’s easy to navigate the walk up and down short hills is a great way to familiarize yourself with everything there is to see.  

Some spectacular spots are Gapstow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, and Strawberry Fields, John Lennon Memorial, to name a few, including many spots where famous movies and TV shows were filmed.  

A central park walking tour can be informative and fun for active people who enjoy a good hike and learn a little history about New York City.

Departing: 2 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019, USA

Ending at: Strawberry Fields, New York, NY 10023, USA

Private Central Park Guided Tour by Pedicab

July 21 2017, Pedicab taxi carriage at Central Park in Manhattan, New York city

Pedicabs are large bicycles that have a bench seat in which passengers can sit and be pulled around by drivers. They are often seen in parks as a way to see large open spaces and monuments, such as ones you might find in New York City’s Central Park.

This tour is a great way to experience Central Park in New York, to cover more grounds so you can see more and at the same time not worry about becoming disheveled; especially great for those who might have plans later.  

The fleet is pretty small (meaning availability can be limited at times), but it is an excellent way to get an up-close look at all of Central Park’s famous landmarks. 

Departing: 870 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019, USA

Returning: CENTRAL PARK HORSE CARRIAGE, New York, NY 10019, USA

NYC Central Park Bike Rental

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 01, 2022: Thousands of cyclists of all ages ride 40 miles through every borough of New York City on streets totally free of cars during the annual Five-Borough Bike Tour.

To tour Manhattan on a bike is one of the most fun ways to see and experience it. But, where to go for bike rentals? The first place many tourists think about is Unlimited Biking. 

Just two blocks from Central Park make this an easy transaction to get the most of your time.  They provide a map with specific details on the most popular attractions.  

Safety and comfort are important as they provide you with helmets, and locks and, in addition, have several bikes to choose from so you can tour Central Park on your own in confidence and comfort.  

The best part is selecting your timed rental – choose between 1 and 12 hours of exploring time; just be sure to return the rental before your time is up, and enjoy!

45 Minutes Central Park Tour by Horse and Carriage

Central Park Carriage

New York City can be one of the most romantic, extravagant places to visit, and what better way to maintain the romance than to book a  horse and carriage ride through Central Park.  

The two-mile ride covers sights including the beautiful Lake, Strawberry Fields, Tavern on the Green, Rumsey Playfield, and Conservatory Water before returning to the starting point.  

Book in advance so you don’t miss out on this perfect opportunity to create magical moments while taking in the magnificent views of Central Park.

Departing and Returning at: 7th Avenue & West 59th Street, 7th Ave & W 59th St, New York, NY 10019, USA

Electric Bike Tour of Central Park and Waterfront Greenway

New York NY/USA-July 6, 2019 Lime-E and Jump brand e-bikes outside the Empire Outlets mall in Staten Island in New York

NYC has endless options for unique and exciting tours. One such option is an electric bike tour of Central Park provided by Bike and Roll NYC tours.  

This Tour gives you a fantastic, fulfilling time of enjoying Central Park and all its secrets, as well as the long stretch of the West side of Manhattan where you can enjoy fantastic views of the Skyline and the Hudson River.  

This E-bike activity is perfect for athletes of all skill levels, so you don’t have to exert yourself,  and it helps that they are environmentally friendly as well.  They provide the bikes and helmet; all you have to do is listen to the guide’s cues, steer and take in the sights around you.

Departing at: 111 W 110th St

111 W 110th St, New York, NY 10026, USA

Returning at: 38 Park Row

38 Park Row, New York, NY 10038, USA

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

NEW-YORK – NOV 10: Street musicians performing for the crowded entrance to the Metropolitan Museum on November 10, 2012 in New-York, USA.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has over 2 million items in its collection and offers a variety of tours. 

Book a ticket with BY Walks and skip the lines to get in, The guide takes you directly to the most popular displays such as Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet to name a couple.

Once you’ve seen your heart full of the beautiful displays, you can enjoy great views of Central Park from the rooftop garden, as you enjoy great drinks and maybe a meal.  

The idea of Central Park is breathtaking in the fall with the changing colors and a great way to appreciate the vast greeneries compared to the city buildings.

Tours : By Walks

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA

New York Lower Central Park Scavenger Hunt Adventure

Aerial view of Manhattan New York looking north up Central Park

Central Park usually serves New Yorkers as a place to enjoy leisurely activities. However, it can also provide the perfect environment for the most excellent and exciting way to tour Central Park! 

Use your smartphone to trace a two-mile route through the park and solve a series of challenges and puzzles that are New York-based, as provided by  Urban Adventure Quest.   The activity is Three hours long and can be booked as teams.  

This is a perfect tour for team-building practices or if you have a large family gathering.  Enjoy the walk at your own pace; pause for food and drink as often as you want and take in the beautiful views of Central Park.

Start Point: Columbus Circle, Columbus Cir, New York, NY, USA

Return Details:  Belvedere Castle

NYC Central Park Rollerblade Rental

New York City, USA – October 28, 2017: Midtown Manhattan Columbus Circle and Broadway street road with panning shot of one single young man, guy rollerblading roller skating in motion

NYC Central Park Rollerblade Rental provides 24-hour rentals of Roller blades complete with Helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads.   

Take your time, enjoy every corner of Central Park, enjoy a nice lunch or dinner out and return for more exploration; with this option of touring Central Park, you have nothing but time on your side.  Bring your curiosity for adventure and enjoy at your own pace.  

56 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019, USA

Central Park Picnic Experience for 2

New York City, USA, – May. 17. 2014: Bike rider at Central Park, Manhattan. New York, USA

This Central Park Tour allows you and your partner to enjoy a romantic picnic in one of New York City’s best parks. Built on 750 acres of lush greenery, Central Park is an idyllic retreat that offers visitors tranquility within Manhattan.

Enjoy an intimate tour with Central Park Picnic Experience for two and walk hand-in-hand through some of the city’s most beautiful spots. This tour is perfect for any couple looking to get away from it all and also serves as the ideal backdrop for a delightful surprise.

Perfect Picnic provides Blankets and comfortable pillows in a picture-perfect setting with two picnic options for this intimate gathering.

Choose a full-service picnic experience featuring the best meats, cheeses, fresh fruit, and crudites New York City offers, or a brunch for two that features pastries, smoked fish, bagels, fresh fruit a complimentary sparkling beverage.  Both options include clean-up as well.

Contact: 405 Central Park W, New York City, NY 10025-4820 Phone Number:1 212-228-2884

Central Park Picnic with Full Day Bike Rental

New York City, USA, – May. 17. 2014: Bike rider at Central Park, Manhattan. New York, USA

If you are looking for a perfect way to spend an entire day in Central Park, look no further than  Central Park Sightseeing tours offering a Central Park Picnic with Full Day Bike Rental.  

This option provides transportation for the whole day so you can enjoy the sightseeing at your leisure without having to look at the time constantly.  

Included is a Full Day Bike Rental, Helmet, Basket, Chain/Lock, and Map of Central Park so you can do your exploring.  

They provide a delightful picnic box with choices such as Signature (meat choices), Vegetarian, or Healthy with dessert snacks and bottled water.  

Departure point: 56 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019, USA

Private Custom NYC Photo Tour with Personal Photographer

female photographer taking photos with digital camera

Here’s a unique option for touring Central Park and beyond.  Hire a Private Custom NYC Photo Tour with Personal Photographer provided by By NYC Photo Journeys.

Start your journey at the Theater district or arrange to pick you up at your hotel, whatever works best for you.  

The guide will advise and take you to all the hot spots of New York City (including the central park oasis and all its beauty), where he takes professional pictures to capture and preserve your best moments!  This is a half-day tour, and over 80 photos are taken.  

Enjoy fascinating stories and tidbits from this local, and feel free to ask questions to customize your remaining days in New York City.  

Times Square, Hell’s Kitchen Food Tour, and Central Park Stroll

Good food from nice resturants

With a focus on human-interest stories and historical nuggets, tours run by 

By Manhattan Walking Tours is a City favorite. This tour guides you through The ever-bright Times Square, where the New Years’ Eve Celebrations are held, then to Hell’s Kitchen, where you can find food that will whet any appetite, then toward the most appreciated Central Park to explore all its hidden gems.

By Manhattan Walking Tour

Departing: Father Duffy Square, 7th Ave &, W 47th St, New York, NY 10036, USA

Returning at: 1 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023, USA

Nostalgic Tour Stop at Strawberry Fields and John Lennon’s House

NEW YORK CITY, NY – December 28, 2021: A view from the Dakota, a cooperative apartment building on the northwest corner of 72nd Street and Central Park West completed in 1884.

If you only have an hour to enjoy Central Park, then a tour By Central Park Horses is your best option.  This Tour centers around the Strawberry Fields, which were planted in memory of John Lennon, and with a sharp view of John Lennon’s House. 

 Other locations on the south end that you can expect to see are BALTO’S STATUE, Ramsey Playfield (Summer Stage), Conservatory Water, the Bandshell, Bethesda Terrace, And Fountain, Cherry Hill, the Lake, Tavern on the Green, Sheep Meadow, and Columbus Circle.  

By Central Park Horses

Starting at: West 59th Street & 7th Avenue

Conclusion

Central Park is a popular park in Manhattan, New York City. The park initially opened in 1857 on 778 acres of city-owned land (843 acres if you include nearby parks) and is located between West 59th Street and 110th Street. It stretches from Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue. Try one of these 13 ways to Tour Central Park and take in all its rich history and sweet spots, including the Strawberry Fields John Lennon  Memorial Park, and the famous Bethesda Terrace, to name a few.