Embark on a self-guided tour of Central Park, NYC’s green oasis. Explore iconic spots like Bethesda Terrace and the Central Park Zoo while learning the park’s fascinating history.
Embark on a self-guided tour of Central Park, NYC’s green oasis. Explore iconic spots like Bethesda Terrace and the Central Park Zoo while learning the park’s fascinating history.
-
Grand Army Plaza - Begin your Central Park tour at the Grand Army Plaza, located at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 59th Street. From this starting point, you’ll journey to the reservoir and back, pausing at all the park’s major attractions along the way.
NOTE: The tour covers over 4 miles, includes more than 40 audio stories, and takes…
- Grand Army Plaza - Begin your Central Park tour at the Grand Army Plaza, located at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 59th Street. From this starting point, you’ll journey to the reservoir and back, pausing at all the park’s major attractions along the way.
NOTE: The tour covers over 4 miles, includes more than 40 audio stories, and takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete.
New, Lifetime access, no expiration. Use it anytime, on any trip, as often as you like.
- Central Park Zoo - The Central Park Zoo sets a high standard for urban zoos. Spanning 6.5 acres, it houses a variety of rare and endangered species, including Antarctic penguins and a snow leopard!
- Delacorte Clock - This clock is more than just a timepiece! It features charming depictions of animals playing various instruments, such as a bear with a tambourine and a kangaroo with a horn!
- Balto Statue - This statue honors the beloved husky, Balto, who became famous for delivering lifesaving medicine to a remote Alaskan town through severe blizzards and freezing temperatures. Balto himself attended the statue’s unveiling!
- The Mall and Literary Walk - One of Central Park’s most scenic areas, the Mall is lined with lush greenery and adorned with statues of historical figures. Among them are the esteemed playwright Shakespeare and the controversial explorer Christopher Columbus. As you stroll, you’ll discover more about these statues and their significance.
- Naumburg Bandshell - This impressive bandshell, built in 1923, has hosted numerous renowned speakers. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cuban leader Fidel Castro have both delivered speeches here! It remains in use today, often featuring free classical and jazz concerts.
- Bethesda Terrace - This stunning Italian-style terrace is the heart of Central Park. Integral to the park’s original design, it remains one of New York City’s most beautiful locations. It features both an upper and lower section, each breathtaking in its own right.
- Bethesda Fountain - Standing 26 feet tall and nearly 100 feet wide, this fountain is a must-see. It is crowned by the Angel of the Waters sculpture, the only statue included in Central Park’s original design. Here, you’ll also glimpse Central Park’s rich cinematic history.
- Loeb Boathouse - The Loeb Boathouse offers fine dining and operates a functional boathouse for those wishing to enjoy a leisurely time on the water. It has also served as a backdrop for scenes in “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Manchurian Candidate.”
- Hans Christian Andersen Monument - This bronze statue pays tribute to Hans Christian Andersen, the cherished Danish children’s author known for tales like “The Little Mermaid” and “The Ugly Duckling.” From this spot, you might also see model sailboats on the water, weather permitting.
- Alice in Wonderland Statue - This large statue of Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the White Rabbit from Lewis Carroll’s classic story is a favorite among children. It was designed for climbing, and the shiny, polished bronze attests to its success.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Commonly referred to as the Met, this is one of the world’s most renowned museums. It showcases 5,000 years of art from around the globe, featuring European masters like Monet and artifacts from ancient Egypt and beyond. Art and history enthusiasts will find this a must-visit location.
- The Obelisk - This massive Egyptian obelisk was relocated here in 1881, and it’s authentic! Weighing 220 tons, the monument is estimated to be around 3,500 years old, originally commissioned by a pharaoh to celebrate his reign.
- Alexander Hamilton Monument - While Alexander Hamilton gained popularity through the Broadway play, this monument predates the stage production. Hamilton was a Founding Father of the United States and served as George Washington’s right-hand man during the American Revolution.
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir - This vast reservoir holds about a billion gallons of water and serves as a stunning centerpiece to the park. It was initially intended to supply the entire city with clean water. Today, it’s a wonderful spot to pause and admire the city’s skyline.
- Arthur Ross Pinetum - The Arthur Ross Pinetum was created with a specific purpose: to add a touch of green to the park during the long, dreary winter months. If visiting after the leaves have fallen from other trees, it offers a delightful change of scenery.
- The Great Lawn - This 55-acre green space once hosted massive concerts featuring stars like Elton John. Unfortunately, the large crowds turned it into what was called “The Great Dustbowl.” Today, however, it’s been restored to its former glory and is perfect for a picnic.
- Delacorte Theater - This open-air theater is home to the Public Theater, which regularly stages performances of Shakespeare and other classic plays. One of its best features? Productions here are completely free! Visitors just need to queue for entry.
- Belvedere Castle - Belvedere Castle provides stunning views of the park and the surrounding city. It also adds a charming touch of fairytale whimsy that visitors are sure to appreciate.
- Shakespeare Garden - The plants in this beautiful garden are exclusively those mentioned in William Shakespeare’s plays and poems. The goal was to recreate, in spirit, the English countryside where the Bard of Avon lived.
- Strawberry Fields, John Lennon Memorial - This memorial honors musician John Lennon. Yoko Ono, his widow, opted against another statue in Central Park, so the sculptor created a unique mosaic unlike anything else in the park.
- Sheep Meadow - Sheep Meadow is a lovely green area that perfectly captures the original vision for Central Park: a place where locals and visitors can relax and enjoy nature away from the hustle and bustle of New York City.
- Umpire Rock - Umpire Rock is the oldest feature you’ll encounter in Central Park, dating back over 500 million years! It’s a piece of bedrock that workers couldn’t remove during the park’s construction, and it stands today as a landmark in its own right.
- Columbus Circle - Columbus Circle, located at the corner of 8th Avenue and 59th Street, marks the conclusion of your tour. It also signifies the boundary of a vibrant, lively neighborhood waiting to be explored!

- 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!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive…
- 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!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Welcome to Central Park, a lush haven nestled in the heart of New York City! This self-guided walking tour takes you through the park’s most iconic spots, from the ever-popular Bethesda Terrace (a favorite in numerous films and TV shows) to the picturesque Mall walkway, Central Park Zoo, and much more! As you stroll, discover the fascinating stories…
Welcome to Central Park, a lush haven nestled in the heart of New York City! This self-guided walking tour takes you through the park’s most iconic spots, from the ever-popular Bethesda Terrace (a favorite in numerous films and TV shows) to the picturesque Mall walkway, Central Park Zoo, and much more! As you stroll, discover the fascinating stories behind the park, its attractions, and the early history of New York City.
After booking, be sure to check your email or text messages to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.
Enjoy new, lifetime access with no expiration. Use it anytime, on any trip, as often as you like.
Please note, this is not an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- 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
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- For the best experience, bring headphones/earbuds for your walking tour.
- For the best experience, please use an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, an Android device running version 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular connectivity, as these are recommended for navigation.
- Your password can be used on the same number of devices as travelers booked. Enter the same password on each device.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.