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Central Park Walking Tour

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Group Size

Max 12

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Tour Duration

2.5 Hours

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100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

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Free Cancellation up to 24 hrs

Highlights of the tour

Highlights generally include: 

• Bethesda Terrace & Fountain— marvel at one of Central Park's most iconic landmarks, where the grand staircase and Angel of the Waters statue create a breathtaking setting by the lake. 

• Bow Bridge— admire this elegant cast-iron bridge, a favorite filming location and one of the most romantic spots in the park. 

• The Mall & Literary Walk — stroll beneath a canopy of towering elm trees and pass statues honoring literary greats like Shakespeare, Robert Burns, and Hans Christian Andersen. 

• Belvedere Castle — take in panoramic views from this whimsical 19th-century stone castle, overlooking Turtle Pond and the Great Lawn. 

• Sheep Meadow— relax in one of Central Park's most beloved open spaces, once home to a flock of grazing sheep and now a favorite spot for sunbathers and picnickers.


Details

No movie set in New York is complete without at least one scene shot in Central Park. On this 2.5-hour guided walking tour, you'll stroll through the world's most famous urban green space, uncovering its hidden gems, iconic landmarks, and surprising history.

Created in the 19th century, Central Park was designed to give New Yorkers a breath of fresh air and has since become a beloved retreat in the heart of Manhattan. Walk past tranquil lakes and under grand bridges as you admire landmarks like the Bethesda Fountain, the Mall's towering elm trees, and the elegant Bow Bridge. Visit the literary statues along Literary Walk, see the famous Central Park Carousel, and take in the sweeping views from Belvedere Castle. Along the way, your expert guide will share the park's fascinating history— from its ambitious construction to its role as a gathering place for artists, musicians, and everyday New Yorkers. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a longtime fan, this tour offers a deeper appreciation of Central Park's charm, beauty, and enduring legacy.


Itinerary

  • Stops generally include but are not limited to:
  • Simon Bolivar Monument— begin your journey at this striking equestrian statue honoring the Venezuelan military leader, located at the southern entrance of Central Park. (10 minutes)
  • The Pond— step into a tranquil retreat near the city's edge, where native wildlife and seasonal foliage create a serene oasis. (10 minutes)
  • Gapstow Bridge— capture stunning views of the New York City skyline from this charming stone bridge, a favorite among photographers and filmmakers. (10 minutes)
  • Central Park Zoo (Exterior Only) —pass by the Central Park Zoo, home to exotic wildlife and the inspiration behind the animated film Madagascar. (10 minutes)
  • Balto Statue— pay tribute to Balto, the heroic sled dog who led a life-saving serum delivery through the Alaskan wilderness in 1925. (10 minutes)
  • Children's Area - The Dairy, Chess & Checkers House— explore this historic section of the park, featuring a whimsical Victorian-era visitor center and a beloved area for family-friendly games. (10 minutes)
  • Central Park Carousel — see one of the country's largest and most famous carousels, a beloved park attraction with hand-carved horses dating back to 1908. (10 minutes)
  • Sheep Meadow— once home to a grazing flock, this expansive green lawn now serves as a favorite spot for picnics, sunbathing, and relaxation. (10 minutes)
  • The Mall & Literary Walk— walk beneath a cathedral-like canopy of American elms, lined with statues honoring great literary figures. (10 minutes)
  • Bethesda Terrace & Fountain— admire the breathtaking Angel of the Waters sculpture and the grand staircase overlooking the Central Park Lake. (10 minutes)
  • The Lake— enjoy scenic waterfront views and spot rowboats gliding across this picturesque body of water. (10 minutes)
  • Bow Bridge— cross one of the most photographed bridges in the world, known for its graceful ironwork and romantic setting. (10 minutes)
  • Belvedere Castle— take in sweeping views from this fairytale-like observation deck, offering a stunning vantage point of Turtle Pond and the Great Lawn. (10 minutes)
  • End at Central Park West & 80th Street (by AMNH)— conclude your tour near the American Museum of Natural History, perfectly positioned for further exploration of New York's cultural treasures. (10 minutes)

Inclusion

• GUIDED WALKING TOUR

• PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE

• DURATION 2.5 HOURS

• TOUR WILL RUN, RAIN OR SHINE

 

Not Included

 

• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE FOOD AND DRINKS

• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE HOTEL PICKUP OR DROP-OFF (we recommend UBER or Taxi)

• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE GRATUITIES (optional)

• TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE LUGGAGE OR COAT STORAGE


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What Our Customers Say

Central Park New York Guided Walking Tour
Pam Y 2 contributions

Central Park New York Guided Walking Tour

Great job by Jeff. Tour just the right length. Jeff gave us the history of the park along with photos of what the area looked like before, during, and after construction. Very interesting.

17 June 2019

Highly recommend the semi private tour
Karen L 1 contributions

Highly recommend the semi private tour

Tour director Mark was amazing! Very knowledgeable, very excited to tell and show us parts of the museum and art that we wouldn’t have seen on our own. So enjoyable that we spent more time after the tour exploring on our own.

19 September 2023

Wonderful tour of Central Park with Mark
Sarah B 2 contributions

Wonderful tour of Central Park with Mark

My husband and I had a wonderful tour of Central Park with Mark of Babylon Tours. Mark is a superb guide who made every aspect of Central Park come alive. He included history of the park and the streets and buildings around it, natural history, local lore, and even music, as we stopped to listen to a soprano busker in the Bethesda Arcade. It has amazing acoustics and brought tears to my eyes. The tour with Mark was the high point of our NYC vacation.

02 March 2024

I would go again!
Chris H 5 contributions

I would go again!

Our guide was extremely well informed and told us so many things about the area and the history. It felt as if we were no longer in a city! She was great.

23 September 2024

Central Park
L6648NLlisat 5 contributions

Central Park

Mark Venaglia, our tour guide was fantastic. So informative and we had so many laughs along the way. High recommend this tour.

09 August 2022

Central Park private tour
Thomas M 30 contributions

Central Park private tour

Very knowledgeable. Just the guide and my wife with me on the tour. My wife and I are seniors and we really enjoyed the leasurly stroll in the southern end of Central Park. Our guide was able to give a great deal of information.

17 September 2022

Central Park in Autumn
Freida 10 contributions

Central Park in Autumn

A must see destination when visiting NYC is Central Park. Filled with all the iconic scenes featured in movies and the like. The views are spectacular. To experience a private walking tour with my amazing guide Katherine, left me filled with wisdom concerning the formation and history of the park. She was a true delight.

16 November 2022

Great experience thanks to our tour guide
Andrea K 6 contributions

Great experience thanks to our tour guide

We had a walking tour through Central Park and Mark, our tour guide, made it a very special experience for with his knowledge, his engagement with us and the efforts he made to inform us about the history of the park.It was very lively and we had a great time and also gained new insights into the park as well as NYC.

12 May 2023

Great tour
jakandjk 43 contributions

Great tour

Cherie was a great guide and we had a wonderful stroll through the southern half of the park. The tour was informative and interesting and a great way to learn about the parks history.

24 May 2024

Great Tour with Local Insights
KasChris1962 19 contributions

Great Tour with Local Insights

After another guide canceled due to rain and parade staging, we were able to rebook on Thanksgiving afternoon. Mark, an accomplished artist and NYC local, was an excellent guide. We moved the starting point from the southern end to the Met and my wife, teenage daughter and I were treated to a 2-hour 15-minute tour of some of the Park’s most treasured highlights, including Belvedere Castle, the Whispering Bench, Strawberry Fields, the Lake and the Literary Walk. Mark clearly treasures NYC and CP and provided the great insight, some inside info and just the right amount of snark. Highly recommend!

29 November 2024

Our Day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Kate B 2 contributions

Our Day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Our day at the Met with Mark was truly unforgettable. The sheer size of the museum had always felt intimidating to my husband and me, but Mark made it approachable, intimate, and engaging. He masterfully broke down the museum’s layout and shared fascinating insights into specific pieces we might have otherwise overlooked. Mark's humor, intelligence, and passion for art made the entire day both educational and incredibly enjoyable. It was worth every penny, and we will cherish the memories of our time at the Met with him. Highly, highly recommended!

28 January 2025

One of the best things you can do in New York City
Boris_Ladwig 22 contributions

One of the best things you can do in New York City

Fantastic tour. We loved our guide, Mark V, who was knowledgeable about the park’s origins, highlights and architecture but also made the park’s history come to life with great stories about some of the park’s protagonists and nearby residents. He also provided a good dose of humor and a bit of a New York attitude. Highly recommended.

26 May 2025

Fun in the park
Kristen H 4 contributions

Fun in the park

We had a great time with Mark as our tour guide in Central Park. He shared interesting stories about the area and the buildings and statues in the park. His friendly and energetic personality adds a lot of fun. He also gives great advice about other things to see in NYC, so book your tour with Mark early in your trip.

05 July 2025

Very good experience!
Lucy P 1 contributions

Very good experience!

We had a very good experience! We were running a bit late, and our guide patiently waited for us! She was friendly and very knowledgeable about the history of the park too.

07 August 2025

FAQ's

Your guide will be wearing a Babylon badge on a Babylon lanyard. They will also reach out to you on the morning of the tour to confirm the meeting point.

Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

Yes! All tickets for the permanent collection are included and organized by Babylon Tours.

Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour by text and email. Please ensure you have provided your correct telephone number (including country code) and email beforehand. Please be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don't see the email in your inbox.

No, Viator is a booking platform and Online Travel Agent. They sell our tours, but we are Babylon Tours, a Tour Operator currently offering tours in 12 major cities worldwide!

Yes! You can reschedule free of charge if you notify us at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. For rescheduling within 24 hours, a fee applies to cover guide payments, unused tickets, and company costs (no profit is made on this fee). If you booked through a booking platform like Viator or GetYourGuide, you must reschedule directly with them.

Please inform your guide as soon as possible. As this is a semi-private tour, it must start on time. If your tour is ticketed, the guide will reply to your message with the tickets so you can enter the museum or monument on your own and try to join the guide inside if possible. Please note that once the tour begins, the guide will not be able to regularly check their phone.

Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380. Our refund policy does not cover medical issues that arise within 24 hours of the tour's start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380 . Our refund policy does not cover transportation issues within 24 hours of the tour's start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

No, as the museum is large, locating the guide inside is challenging. The guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and accompany the group inside. However, you are welcome to stay in the museum after the tour ends!

Yes, you are welcome to stay in the museum until it closes.

Your guide will have your tickets. As long as you bring proof of ID, the guide's name and number, and arrive at the meeting point on time, the guide will assist you with entry.

Yes, our tours run rain or shine. Please check the forecast and dress appropriately. Tours will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous weather alert from local authorities.