NYC Central Park Self-Guided Walking Tour in New York City booking from $7.99

NYC Central Park Self-Guided Walking Tour

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.

Here's how it works: Within 30 mins, we'll send you two things: a unique password and an app. Download the app onto your phone and enter the password. Then download the tour inside. When you arrive, head over to the first stop. Once there, launch the app and simply follow the instructions from there! Stick to our recommended route for the best experience.

No expiration — The tour comes with lifetime validity!

This tour does not include entrance to attractions along the route. Check pandemic rules and opening hours before your visit.

City: New York City

Sun 22 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $7.99

Make a reservation

Sun 22 Dec

Starting at $7.99

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Flexible Planning

Family-friendly

Works Offline

Live GPS Map

Email, Chat, Call Support

Audios, Images, and Text

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it works: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions. Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. To begin touring, go to the Starting Point and launch the app. The audio starts automatically. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience. Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Good value: Purchase one tour per person. If you are a couple and prefer to share, purchase one tour and remember to bring headphones you can split.
Flexible Schedule: Once the app/tour is on your phone, you can use it any day and at any time. You can use it over multiple days. And, also use it on your next trip here. This tour never expires.
Preview the tour: You can use it before the trip at home (highly recommended), use it during the trip, and use it after you come back.
Don't miss a thing: You will get everything with the app - a complete itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated audio stories, story script, images, videos, deep dives, hidden gems, exciting locations, recommendations for hikes, adventure, activities, treks, and stop-by-stop direction.
Private tour: You can use it in your car or rental car. No worries about groups or crowds. Start the tour app on your phone. And it will direct you step by step. You can stop for as many breaks as you like. Take a break for Instagram photos, and take a break for lunch/snacks. Go on a hike. The tour will wait for you and start when you start again. You can even do the tour over multiple days. Go at your own pace.
Easy to use: The stories play themselves as soon as the GPS is activated. It requires no use of your hands at all. You can get HELP by calling, chatting, or emailing any time of the day.
Offline: There is no need for a cell signal or Wi-Fi while touring. App’s GPS map works offline.
Expiration/go again: The tour will last for the rest of your life on your phone. It is available for use on any day of your next trip.
Use pictures for a photo book: Create a photo book using clean (no crowd) app images of each spot to make a memorable trip. All the photos and the correct sequence is ready in the app for you to use.
Social media: Share clean (no crowd) images with friends/family.
Devices supported include iPhones with iOS 13 & above, Android phones with version 9 & above and all cellular-enabled tablets & iPads.
Face masks required for travellers in public areas

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Show 10 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (3)

V2600MEkimw

Oct 2022

This was a great experience! Be prepared to spend more than an hour so you can learn more and take lots of pictures!

Response from Host

Oct 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback! I’m thrilled that my tour of NYC Central Park added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Cristy_M

Jul 2022

Great walking tour! Note--we tried to do this on bikes, and the trails for bikes and walking are separate, so stick to walking to get the most out of this tour.

Response from Host

Jul 2022

Thanks for your feedback and the helpful information to the future travellers Cristy! I’m glad that you had a great time on my tour. I hope to see you on one of my other self-guided tours in the future.

Discover570243

Nov 2021

I have an iPhone 8 and it ran out of battery life about half way through the tour. I did start at full power.

Response from Host

Nov 2021

I’m so glad you enjoyed the tour! And this is a great tip for everyone else — please bring a battery pack and headphones. Newer phones won’t need an extra battery pack but it never hurts. (By the way — Apple offers free battery upgrades for older iPhones since they lost a lawsuit over battery life. You may be eligible!)

NYC Central Park Self-Guided Walking Tour

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