Central Park New York self-guided walking tour

Free cancellation

Place: New York

Duration: 1 hour

Language: English

Mobile voucher accepted

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Do this because

Stroll through the verdant oasis in the heart of Manhattan to escape the buzz and bustle of the big city
Visit the park’s most famous statues, from Shakespeare to Balto, and learn the stories behind all of them
Take it easy at Bethesda Terrace, an architectural marvel that’s been a favorite Hollywood filming location for years
Hear how this sprawling park came to be--including facts you definitely didn’t learn in school

What to expect

This self-guided audio and GPS tour begins at the corner of 5th and 59th. Your first stop in the park will be the famous Central Park Zoo, home to everything from monkeys to pythons to penguins. You’ll also get a chance to see the whimsical Delacourte Clock.

Then, continue on to the statue of Balto, and hear about why the heck a dog from Alaska has a statue in New York! After that, it’s on to the beautiful, tree-lined Mall and Literary Walk. This verdant stretch of walkway isn’t just beautiful--it’s full of statues honoring famous literary and historical figures. Get the stories (and the controversies) behind all of them.

Ever wanted to see one of the spots where Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke? Then you’re in luck! The Naumburg Bandshell is ahead, and has seen all sorts of famous speakers and musicians over the years, from MLK to Fidel Castro!

Up next, we’ll step onto the gorgeous Bethesda Terrace, a wonder of Italianate architecture offering stupendous views of the park. It’s also been the filming site for plenty of major hits through the years, from Home Alone 2 to The Avengers.

You’ll follow the route to the Hans Christian Andersen monument next, author of children’s classics like “The Little Mermaid.” The tour through the fantastical side of the park continues at the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, burnished to a shine from years of kids clambering all over it. But don’t worry, that’s by design!

Art lovers will adore the next stop: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. There’s no bigger name in classic art in the US than The Met, and visitors soon discover why. The museum even features an entire ancient temple inside!

Next, pay a visit to the Jacky Kennedy Reservoir at the park’s heart. Stroll around this picturesque pool and learn to identify iconic buildings in New York’s skyline.

Then, stop by the Great Lawn, which has featured superstars like Elton John and Bon Jovi and continues to be a major gathering place for folks looking to enjoy a little natural serenity.

Later, see an actual castle and a Shakespearean garden before moving on to the Strawberry Fields memorial commemorating music legend John Lennon. And you can’t come to Central Park without visiting the famous Carousel, so you’ll stop there and hear about its history.

Finally, you’ll exit the park at Columbus Circle, a major hub of the city not too far from where your tour began. The tour will conclude here.

This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. The Action Tour Guide app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions immediately to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do not wait until you are onsite
Works perfectly without cellular or Wi-Fi with offline maps
This tour has been developed by local guides, curated by creative writers, and narrated by professional voice artists
The audio stories play on their own based on your location. You can start anytime and pause anywhere
Most stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms
This tour is valid for an entire year - from the moment of booking. You can use it multiple times over multiple trips
This tour is an audio tour guide and not an attraction entrance ticket