Central Park is one of the best places for families to enjoy in NYC. In every season, the park is endlessly entertaining for kids of all ages, from itty bitty babies who are content to sit in their strollers and look at leaves, to busy preschoolers who can’t sit still, and tweens and teens who are beginning to take an interest in history.
Tips on making the most of your day in Central Park:
- Bring a picnic lunch or lots of snacks. There aren’t many places to buy food in the park apart from hot dog vendors. If you’re entering from the south end of the park, you can pick up a delicious picnic lunch from Whole Foods at Columbus Circle. For reasonably priced food within the park, Pain de Quotidien on 69th street has light lunch and snacks. If you’re after a bit of a nicer meal, drop by Tavern On The Green at 67th street or the Loeb Boathouse.
- Pack plenty of water for the same reason.
- Pick up a physical map or download one to your phone. Even if you have internet on your phone, it’s hard to get in the park, making it easy to get lost.
- Note bathroom locations before entering the park – they are also few and far between.
- In summer, pack water shoes and swim suits as many of the playgrounds have water features.
- Wear comfortable shoes and pack sunscreen and a hat.
- Don’t take a carriage ride around the park without reading up on the animal welfare concerns surrounding these horses.
- Bring a picnic blanket – like one of these Skip Hop blankets that zip all the way around.
- Remember small and light toys like a ball or frisbee.
What to see and do
Wander the bridges.
Spot wildlife (go looking for turtles at Bethesda Terrace and Belvedere Castle).
Playgrounds! There are 16 to discover.
Climb rocks. This alone can keep your child busy most of a day.
Visit Alice and climb her like many generations of New York kids.
Ride the carousel. It’s super fast, so hold on!
Pat animals at the Tisch Children’s Zoo.
Listen to buskers at the Bethesda Terrace.
Row a boat around the lake.
Throw a frisbee in the Sheep Meadow.
Visit the angel on the Bethesda Fountain that has featured in too many movies to mention.
Snap selfies with cherry blossoms around the Obelisk and the Reservoir.
Looking for more things to do in NYC with kids?
