Central Park is the lungs of New York City. The beautiful places to visit in Central Park are a refuge for the city’s residents and visitors alike.
Here are some photos of NYC’s oasis in late summer along with a map to help you find them and a list of 6 things to do in Central Park.
Peek through the thick foliage and discover hidden treasures in Central Park.
Bethesda Fountain located mid-park at 72nd street is one of the largest fountains in New York.
The angel atop the fountain, known as the Angel of the Waters, was dedicated in 1868 and was the first major work of art in New York City commissioned by a woman, Emma Stebbins.
The new buildings going up around Millionaire’s Row are clearly visible from Sheep Meadow in Central Park.
It’s called Sheep Meadow because back in the day, the area was used for grazing sheep, and the name stuck.
The Mall in Central Park runs from 66th to 72nd street and leads into Bethesda Fountain.
Part of the Mall is Literary Walk with statues commemorating writers like Shakespeare and Robert Burns.
Plan your trip to Central Park by coordinating your visit with a trip to one of the many museums that ring the park.
Belvedere Castle, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who designed Central Park itself, is a hybrid of Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles.
For many years the castle was home to the New York Meteorological Observatory until they moved their offices to Rockefeller Center in the 1960s.
Today it is a beautiful tourist site offering expansive views of the park.
The Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is perfect for a morning jog or a leisurely stroll.
The New York City skyline has changed and changed Manhattan neighborhoods.
The views from just about everywhere are spectacular.
The John Lennon Memorial, Imagine, lies near The Dakota, the apartment building where John and Yoko Ono lived and where Lennon was shot. The monument is almost always filled with flowers and other mementos to the singer.
The Dakota was one of the first apartment buildings on the Upper West side of Manhattan.
One of the most charming places to visit in Central Park is the Delacorte Clock just outside the Central Park Zoo. H
ere mystical animals revolve around the clock and “dance” to nursery rhymes every 30 minutes.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is right outside the east side of Central Park in the mid 80s.
It is the largest art museum in the United States and it is awesome.
When you visit, make sure to plan your trip ahead of time and focus on what interests you.
Otherwise, you will be totally distracted by everything the museum offers. You would need days or weeks to see it all.
The Met is actually two spectacular museums in different locations around Manhattan; the Met and the Cloisters in Upper Manhattan, one of New York City’s most underrated attractions.
Right outside the museum on Fifth Avenue is a lovely walk leading to Grand Army Plaza on 59th Street. The walk is usually lined with stalls of artists selling their works.
Grand Army Plaza on Central Park’s northern edge.
The Plaza Hotel, gilded statues and an explosion of skyscrapers leading to NYC’s luxury shopping street, 5th Avenue.
Often overlooked, the upper reaches of Central Park are also lovely.
The area abuts Harlem, one of New York City’s most interesting neighborhoods, and offers lakes, stunning architecture and bucolic walks.
Upper Manhattan has some of the most beautiful places to visit in Central Park.
Where to stay near Central Park
We recommend the Le Meridien New York and the Carnegie Hotel.
Central Park has its charm in all four seasons, not just summer. Make sure to visit New York City during the holidays too!
Can’t get enough of New York City? Check out these posts designed to help you maximize your visit to the Big Apple.
21 Unique things to do in NYC you just can’t do anywhere else.
26 authentic ethnic restaurants in New York City: From A to Z.
10 Coolest neighborhoods in Manhattan.
18 famous places to eat in New York City without going broke.
11 most underrated places to visit in New York City.
Why Times Square is the crossroads of the world.
Coolest things to do in Harlem.
What to do and where to go after a Broadway show.
What to do in NYC for the winter holidays.
Where to stay in New York City based on what you want to see and do.
What is YOUR favorite beautiful place to visit in Central Park? Let us know in the comments.
Want to learn more about Central Park? Check out these collections.
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