Central Park is a largest and most important public park located in the heart of Manhattan, New York City. Iconic green space designed by landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and opened in 1858. Total 843 acres of land includes many top attractions and things to do like walking paths, playgrounds, boating, and ice skating, and picnicking.
Park is home to many different bird species and trees. However, the park witnessed many films, TV shows, and works of art, making it one of the most famous parks in the world. Today, Central Park is not just a popular park in the United States, even in the whole world. Due to its significant travel history and attraction it receives more than 40 millions of visitors every year. And making it one of the most popular destinations for both tourists and locals, providing a peaceful oasis in the midst of the bustling city.
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History of Central Park, New York
Central Park’s considered as New York’s biggest and world famous public park. When we go into its history, it dates back to the mid-19th century when the city of New York decided to create a large public park in Manhattan. Its main intention was to construct such a massive park to experience the countryside in order to escape from the urban stress life.
Initially the park’s construction began in 1858 under the direction of landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. The design of Central Park was a really amazing and impressive concept at the time, because of its inclusion of naturalistic landscapes, meadows, lakes, and woodlands to provide a stark contrast to the surrounding urban environment.
Total 843 acres of land in Central Park has undergone various changes and renovations to enhance its beauty and functionality. During the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, massive changes were made. Meandering streams, broad lakes, sweeping lawns and woodlands are added. However, the park also expanded its wing in order to add baseball and soccer fields, carousel, skating rinks, zoo, formal garden, monuments and theaters.
Over a period of time the park is home to many birds and natural habitats. It contains 18 thousands of tree species and 200 species of birds. Therefore, the place welcomes more than 42 millions of visitors every year. Due to its popularity, Central Park has also played a significant role in New York City’s cultural evolution, hosting concerts, festivals, and public events that creates the most visited urban park and popular destination in New York City.
Today, Central Park remains as an iconic landmark not just in New York, but even in the U.S too. Throughout its history it suffered a lot due to earthquakes, economic declines and mismanagement. Even though the park still offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Definitely one of the most peaceful and calm places for those travelers wishing to seek a place for recreation, relaxation, and connection with nature in the heart of Manhattan.
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Things to do in Central Park
1. Visit Central Park Zoo
Central park zoo is home to more than 130 different species including snow leopards to tropical birds. Total 5 acres of land exhibits a variety of habitats in order to create recreational natural environments. Animals like Leopards, Red Panda, Penguins, Japanese Macaque are common here.
2. Ice Skating
Located in the east side of the park zoo, Ice skating in Central Park could be done either in the daytime or at night too. It is an activity which you can do with your family or friends also. There are 2 types of skating available to visitors; Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink. Here you can rent skates and a locker to enjoy ice skating for a specific charge. For adults (aged between 13 to 64 years of age) $ 15 off peak, $ 26 peak season and $ 37 in holidays and for children’s (below the age of 12 years) $ 10 anytime.
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3. Take a class in Yoga and Fitness center
Due to greenery environments and atmospheres, the park is a perfect place for outdoor yoga classes. From yoga class to running and fitness tours, Central Park will be worth visiting. Here you can do cherry blossom running tours, cherry blossom yoga walk, central park highlight tour and sunrise yoga walk are more popular. Never miss to make open air yoga classes in central park with discounted class packs.
4. Sports activities
Activities which you can do with low or free of cost in Central Park are sports activities. You will find equipment’s, basketball and handball courts, and two climbing walls at North Meadow recreation center, plus a soccer field and tennis courts are available to play. Major sports like running, baseball and softball, basketball, bicycle riding and boating are more popular here. However horseback riding, model sailboats and fishing are even more famous here.
5. Bird Watching
As we said earlier that park is home to around 300 sorts of bird collections, therefore it is a perfect place to spot birds. Here you will watch both migrated and native bird species which is an ideal location for eggs and nests too. Birds like owls, falcons, hawks, kestrels, ducks, woodpeckers and hummingbirds are very popular here. It is very important to bring a quality pair of binoculars that are available for both adults and kids too. Quality camera will help you to take nature and animal settings pictures in very fast moving objects.
Quick facts about Central Park
- Central Park is considered as the oldest public park in the United States. Park was approved in 1853 and making the first sizable urban park in the U.S.
- Country’s most visited park. Yes, Central park welcomes around 42 millions of visitors every year around the United States and other parts of the world.
- Park made by humans. Entirely artificial oriented park from its lakes, forested areas to hills in the park.
- Park has only one single straight line. One straight line to the entire park curves from one location to another.
- Well known for filming locations around the world. There are many films from the 20 to 21st century that have been filmed here, like Home Alone 2, Enchanted, The Avengers and Stuart little.
- Park contains 58 miles of pedestrian routes in Central park. This pedestrian route covers famous sights like Cherry Hill, strawberry field and Bethesda fountains.
- Park total area is bigger than some countries. Its total area coverage of 843 acres of land is much bigger than countries like Monaco and some European nations.
- Frederick Law Olmsted designed Central Park. He was once a writer and farmer who made a design of today’s Central Park structure.
- Park is home to many diverse wildlife. Park includes coyotes, red tail boa snake, white Bengal tiger, and red tailed hawk, pale male and other 300 sorts of bird species.
- Contains a total 18,000 trees under the Central Park. Under that some trees are planted during the construction of the park and some of the native of North American and Japanese cherry blossoms.
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Central Park Tours
1. Horse and Carriage Tours
Central park is initially built according to travel. If you see clearly there are a number of ways where you can see sites connecting to each other. Horse and Carriage Tours are most popular here in Central Park, which will help you to central park ride. Like wollman rink, belvedere castle, strawberry fields and others. Under that, marriage proposals, private carriage tours, special occasions and large groups are available.
2. Bike rentals Tours
Bike rentals will exhibits you to enjoy the real beauty of the park and environments. Exploring the beauty of nature along with watching birds and animals is more possible through bike riding. Bike rentals are available daily from April to August at 8 am to 8 pm and during September to March 9 am to 6 pm. Take a bike for rent; if you are an adult you should pay rent starting from $15 for hybrids and mountain bikes and for $12 kid’s bikes including kids of all ages.
3. E- Scooter Tours
E – Scooter will feel the breeze on your checks as you sail along tree lined pathways and also take pathways in magnificent twists and turns. Visit iconic Bethesda Mountains and angel of water sculptures marvel at the impressive architecture of the historic buildings, photos with scenic backdrops as you make your way. There is some guidelines you should follow under E- Scooter if you want to ride it;
- You must attain 16 years of age.
- Tour departs at 11.00 am daily.
- Be there 15 minutes before your tour starts.
4. Pedicab Tours
Pedicab tour of Central Park is a great way to see the sights without doing a lot of work. Here your driver will explain about the place where you are going and attractions and landmarks through all parts of Central Park. Pedicab tours offer 60% discounts for those who booked online.
5. Walking Tours
Total hours of walking tours including more personalized feelings and experiences. Walking tours here allow a maximum of 15 people in one tour, which exhibits the history, architecture of the park by the guides. Tour covers wollman rink, Bethesda Mountains, strawberry fields and gaps tow bridge. If you want to book private tours you have to pay $49 per person or you can book a normal tour with $ 35 for adults and for $ 19 for children’s (below the age of 14).
Central Park, New York Size
Total size of the Central Park is around 843 acres or 341 hectares of land. Considered as the 6th largest park in the city and most visited urban park in the United States.
Central Park Length
Total length of the park is 2.5 miles. It starts from Harlem to the north, Midtown Manhattan to the south. It measures 2.5 miles (4 km) from north to south and 0.5 miles from (0.80 km) from west to east.
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Q: How big is Central Park?
A: Total size of the Central Park is around 843 acres or 341 hectares of land. Considered as the 6th largest park in the city and most visited urban park in the United States.
Q: How long is Central Park?
A: Central Park is around 2.5 miles of long. It starts from Harlem to the north, Midtown Manhattan to the south. It measures 2.5 miles (4 km) from north to south and 0.5 miles from (0.80 km) from west to east.
Q: How many acres is Central Park?
A: Central Park is around 843 acres or 341 hectares of land areas.
Q: Is Central Park in Manhattan?
A: Yes, Central Park is located between Upper west side and Upper East side neighborhoods of Manhattan, New York.
Q: Who designed Central Park?
A: Frederick Law Olmsted designed Central Park. He was once a writer and farmer who made a design of today’s Central Park structure. But some people believed that Central Park designed by the both Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.
Q: When was Central Park built?
A: Central Park built in 1858.
