Central Park with Kids: Things to Do
Central Park is one of the best attractions for kids in NYC. They will definitely love it. Check out the best places to visit in Central Park with kids and all the info you need to know.
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Download a map on your phone (Google Maps offer this option) so you don’t get lost! The park is pretty big.
List of top things to do in Central Park with kids
| Carousel | Zoo | Ice Skating |
| Summer Amusement Park | Playgrounds | Bethesda Terrace |
| Boating | Model Boat Sailing | Marionette Theatre |
| Sheep Meadow | Storytelling | Belvedere Castle |
| Strawberry Fields | Biking | Frisbee / Fly a kite |
Central Park Carousel
Location: Mid-Park at 65th St. View in Map.
Fee: $3 per person per ride. Cash only.
Hours (weather permitting):
April to October: 10am – 6pm daily.
November to March: 10am – 4:30pm only on weekends.
Central Park Zoo
Location: 64th St. & 5th Ave. View in Map.
A small and nice zoo. Keep in mind that it’s a zoo inside the park, so it can’t be so big.
| TICKETS | Adults | Child* | Senior |
| General Admission | $12 | $7 | $9 |
|
Total Experience: Main Zoo, Tisch Children’s Zoo & 4D Theater |
$18 | $13 | $15 |
* Free for 2 & under.
Fall / Winter Hours: 10am-4:30pm (4pm last entry).
Spring / Summer Hours: 10am-5pm (4:30pm last entry).
Zoo Tips:
- Don’t go with high expectations.
- Bring food with you (the food there is expensive).
- Weekdays are less crowded than weekends.
- Bring some food (bread, some crackers) to feed some of the animals.
Victorian Gardens Amusement Park
Season: End of May / June to September. 2018: Opening on Memorial Day Weeekend (May 26!).
Location: at Wollman Rink in Central Park. View in Map.
The ice skating rink is closed in the summer, leaving the space to this amusement park for families with various games, interactive shows and more.
Ages: 2-7.
| DAYS | HOURS |
| Monday – Thursday | 11am – 7pm |
| Friday | 11am – 8pm |
| Saturday | 10am – 9pm |
| Sunday | 10am – 8pm |
| TICKETS | Pay As You Go | Unlimited Rides |
| Weekdays |
Park Admission $8.50 Tickets: $1 Rides: 4 tickets; Games: 4 tickets |
$24.50 (Park Admission $8.50 + Unlimited Ride Wristband* $16) |
| Weekends & Holidays |
Park Admission $9.50 Tickets: $1 Rides: 4 tickets; Games: 4 tickets |
$26 (Park Admission $9.50 + Unlimited Ride Wristband* $18) |
*Wristbands do not include game play.
Sometimes, there are ticket discounts through Groupon!
Check here if there are any entertainment shows (magic, circus, etc.) the day you’re going.
Sheep Meadow
Location: west side of the park between 65th & 69th Streets. View in Map.
Season: May to mid-October (closed in winter).
Hours: daily at 11am.
Large open grassy field with nice views of some of the New York skyline.
- Perfect spot for a picnic when the weather is nice.
- Great spot to go with kids.
- Things that your kids can do here: run, fly a kite, play different games (frisbee, soccer, etc).
Tips: bring a blanket, sunscreen, you can buy food at the Whole Foods located in Columbus Circle, you’ll find a Le Pain Quotidien at the north side of this field, where you’ll also find the restrooms.
Central Park with Kids: Playgrounds
There are 21 playgrounds in Central Park. You can check them all here.
The favorite ones for most people:
Heckscher Playground:
- The largest, oldest and most popular playground in the park.
- Located at 7th Avenue, between 59th & 65th Streets. Close to the carousel.
Ancient Playground:
- Located on the east side of the park, on 85th St. right off of 5th Ave.
Billy Johnson Playground:
- Adventure-style playground.
- Located at 67th St. & 5th Ave.
East 110 Playground:
- Aimed at school-age children.
- Located across from the Harlem Meer on 110th St. between Lenox & 5th Ave.
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre: Puppet Shows
Location: west side at 79th St. View in Map.
Enjoy with your kids the marionette shows based on children’s classics, such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and others.
Tickets: $7-20 (varies per show).
Click here to view schedule and buy tickets.
Boating on the Lake
Location: Loeb Boathouse on the east side. Easily located walking from East 72nd St. & 5th Ave. View in Map.
Great family activity during Spring and Summer in Central Park with kids. You can spot swans and ducks.
Season: April to November.
Hours: 10am-6:30pm daily (last boat rentals at 5:30pm). Weather permitting.
Types of Boats: Rowboats (up to 4 people), nine-foot Kayaks.
Fees: $15 first hour, additional $4 for every extra 15 minutes. CASH ONLY!
$20 cash deposit required per boat that will be refunded after you return the boat.
Bethesda Terrace & Fountain
Location: middle of the park on 72nd St. Very popular spot. View in Map.
- Beautiful especially in the spring and fall, as seen in many movies!
- The area to rent boats or canoes is nearby.
- You’ll usually see street performers and giant bubbles that will entertain your kids.
- Some kids like to sit close to the lake (in a safe spot) to see all the boats.
Model Boat Racing at Conservatory Water
Location: east side of the park near 72nd St. & 5th Ave. View in Map.
The model boats (whether you have a radio powered sailboat or a wind-powered sloop) are raced and displayed at Conservatory Water. Might be a fun activity to do in Central Park with kids.
Season: April to October (can be extended to November depending on the weather).
Racing: every Saturday from 10am-1pm, April – October.
- This pond is a favorite choice of filmmakers. This event has appeared in popular tv shows and movies such as Sex and the City, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Mirror Has Two Faces, and Stuart Little.
- You don’t need a boat to enjoy the event. You can just sit there and watch.
- Snacks and Drinks: there’s a Le Pain Quotidien nearby!
Rentals: $11 for 30 minutes.
Hours for rentals:
- Monday to Thursday 11am – 5pm
- Friday 11am – 7pm
- Saturday 1pm – 7pm
- Sunday 10am – 6pm
Residents of the city who wish to race their own boat frequently may apply for a permit to store their boat in the park’s secure Kerbs Boathouse during the week.
The Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Center
Location: at the Hans Christian Andersen Statue, on the west side of Conservatory Water.
Near 72nd St. & 5th Ave. View in Map.
Season: June-September – Hours: 11am-12pm on Saturdays – Cost: Free!
Your kids might enjoy the storytelling that takes place every summer at the Conservatory Pond by a fine ensemble of storytellers. Celebrity performers like Victor Borge, Eva la Gallienne, Fanny Hurst and Celeste Holm have visited and told their favorite stories.
Ice Skating at Wollman Rink
Season: end of October until beginning of April. A very fun activity to do with kids!
Location: east side of the park between 62nd & 63rd St. View in Map.
| DAYS | HOURS |
| Monday – Tuesday | 10am – 2:30pm |
| Wednesday – Thursday | 10am – 10pm |
| Friday – Saturday | 10am – 11pm |
| Sunday | 10am – 9pm |
Check the website the day you wanna go because they may close earlier a few days (mainly on weekdays).
| RATES (CASH ONLY) | Adults | Youth (11 & under) | Seniors |
| Monday – Thursday | $12 | $6 | $5 |
| Friday – Sunday & Holidays | $19 | $6 | $9 |
Skate Rentals: $9 (tax incl.) – Spectator: $5
New Yorker Tip: Bring your own lock so you don’t have to pay $5 for lock rental!
Check out: top Ice Skating Rinks in NY.
Other Spots you may want to visit in Central Park with kids
Strawberry Fields
Location: close to the Dakota Building (where John Lennon lived and was shot) on the west side of the park on 72nd St. View in Map.
- Busy tourist spot.
- Most of the times you’ll see musicians playing songs from The Beatles, there’s a nice atmosphere and sometimes people sing the songs too. It may be fun for your kids.
Belvedere Castle
Location: mid-park at 79th St. View in Map.
Hours: 10am-5pm daily.
The Italian word “Belvedere” means “beautiful view”. The castle provides great views of the park and NYC skyline.
Free but donation is recommended.
Tip for Little Kids: if you have little kids and/or strollers I don’t recommend you to go there because there are stairs and it’s in the middle of the park. You’ll have to walk a bit until you find the place.
Bike Rentals in Central Park
You can use the Citi Bike: click here for more info. You can purchase a day pass for $12 and have unlimited 30 minutes rides for 24 hours.
Rental Bike Kiosks in Central Park:
- At the entrance of Central Park in Columbus Circle (Broadway & 59th St.).
- Entrance of 5th Ave & 59th St.
- Close to the boat rentals in Mid-Park between 75th & 76th Streets.
You might also want to check out: General Guide to Central Park.
Hope you enjoy Central Park with kids! Please, recommend and share 🙂
@NewYorkerTips
