NYC Central Park Self-Guided Walking Tour

At a glance

NYC Central Park Self-Guided Walking Tour is a 1h – 2h private experience in New York City, United States, operated by Drive with Action. Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 27 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $14.99 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help., Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included., Just bring your phone and headphones; the app guides your walk..

Quick facts

Duration

1h – 2h

Group

Private tour — only your group

Languages

English

Pickup

Meet at the start point

Confirmation

Instant confirmation

Ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Cancellation

Free cancellation (see policy)

Overview

Itinerary

1. Stop 1 · 5m

   Your tour of Central Park begins in the Grand Army Plaza on the corner of 5th and 59th. From here, you'll walk all the way to the reservoir and back, stopping at all the park's top spots along the way.
   
   NOTE: The tour is over 4 miles long, with more than 40 audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete.
   
   New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

2. Stop 2 · 5m

   The Central Park Zoo sets the standard for all urban zoos to follow. This 6.5-acre zoo features all kinds of rare and endangered animals, including Antarctic penguins and a snow leopard!

3. Stop 3 · 5m

   This clock isn't just for telling time! It's decorated with whimsical depictions of animals playing all manner of instruments, like a bear with a tambourine and a kangaroo with a horn!

4. Stop 4 · 5m

   This statue commemorates everyone's favorite husky, who became famous when he brought lifesaving medicine to a remote Alaskan town through blinding blizzards and subzero temperatures. The dog himself was actually in attendance for the unveiling of this statue!

5. Stop 5 · 5m

   One of the most picturesque spots in Central Park, the Mall is surrounded by lush greenery and dotted with statues of famous figures from history. Among them: the revered playwright Shakespeare and the controversial explorer Christopher Columbus. As you walk, you'll learn more about the various statues and why they ended up here.

6. Stop 6 · 5m

   This striking bandshell was built in 1923 and has since been host to countless famous speakers. Martin Luther King, Jr. once delivered a speech here, as did Cuban leader Fidel Castro! It's still in use today, and frequently features free classical and jazz concerts.

7. Stop 7 · 5m

   This gorgeous Italian-style terrace is the heart of Central Park. It was crucial to the original design for the park and remains one of the most beautiful places in New York City to this day. It has an upper and a lower section, both of which are simply breathtaking.

8. Stop 8 · 5m

   At 26 feet tall and almost 100 feet across, this fountain is impossible to miss. It's topped by a sculpture known as the Angel of the Waters, which was the only statue included in the original design for Central Park. Here, you'll also get a glimpse at Central Park's long cinematic history.

9. Stop 9 · 5m

   The Loeb Boathouse is a fine dining establishment which also operates a functioning boathouse for folks who are looking to relax on the water for a while. It has also been the setpiece for scenes in When Harry Met Sally and Manchurian Candidate.

10. Stop 10 · 5m

    This bronze statue honors Hans Christian Andersen, the beloved Danish children’s author responsible for works such as "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling." From here, you might also see model sailboats on the water, as long as the weather is warm enough.

11. Stop 11 · 5m

    This large statue of Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the White Rabbit from Lewis Carroll's classic book is a favorite among kids. It was actually designed to be climbed on, and the polished, shiny bronze stands as a testament to how successful this design ended up being.

12. Stop 12 · 5m

    Colloquially known as the Met, this is one of the most famous museums in the world. It boasts 5,000 years of art from all over the world, from European masters like Monet to artifacts from ancient Egypt and beyond. If you're a lover of art or history, this is a must-see spot.

13. Stop 13 · 5m

    This huge Egyptian obelisk was moved here in 1881, and it's not a replica! The 220-ton monument is estimated to be around 3,500 years old, originally commissioned by a pharoah to celebrate his reign.

14. Stop 14 · 5m

    Alexander Hamilton may have been popularized by the Broadway play, but this monument has been here well before anyone thought to put the man on stage. And for good reason! Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and served as George Washington's right hand man during the American Revolution.

15. Stop 15 · 5m

    This enormous reservoir holds about a billion gallons of water and makes for a beautiful centerpiece to the park. It was once intended to supply the entire city with clean water. Today, it's a fabulous spot to take a break and admire the city's skyline.

16. Stop 16 · 5m

    The Arthur Ross Pinetum was designed with one specific purpose in mind: Add a splash of green to the park during the long, bleak winter months. If you're visiting after the leaves have fallen from the other trees, it makes for a lovely change of scenery.

17. Stop 17 · 5m

    This 55-acre green space once hosted huge concerts featuring headliners like Elton John. Unfortunately, all those crowds turned it into what some called "The Great Dustbowl." Today, however, it's back to its old self, and is an ideal spot for a picnic.

18. Stop 18 · 5m

    This open-air theater is home to the Public Theater, which puts on regular performances of Shakespeare and other classic plays. One of the coolest things about it? Productions here are totally free! Visitors need only stand in line to get in.

19. Stop 19 · 5m

    Belvedere Castle offers unbeatable views of the park and the surrounding city. It also adds a pleasant touch of fairytale whimsy visitors are sure to love.

20. Stop 20 · 5m

    The flora on display in this beautiful garden are only those mentioned in William Shakespeare’s many plays and poems. The aim was to recreate, in spirit, the English countryside where the Bard of Avon lived.

21. Stop 21 · 5m

    This memorial honors the musician John Lennon. Yoko Ono, his widow, didn't want another statue in Central Park, so instead the sculptor created a striking mosaic unlike anything else in the park.

22. Stop 22 · 5m

    Sheep Meadow is a lovely green expanse that perfectly embodies the original vision for Central Park: A place where locals and visitors alike can relax and enjoy nature away from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.

23. Stop 23 · 5m

    Umpire Rock is by far the oldest thing you'll see in Central Park, clocking in at over 500 million years old! It's a hunk of bedrock that workers weren't able to remove when clearing the land for the park's construction, and stands today as a landmark in its own right.

24. Stop 24 · 5m

    Columbus Circle, at the corner of 8th and 59th, marks the end of your tour. It also marks the boundary of a vibrant, thriving neighborhood just waiting to be explored!

Meeting point

Good to know

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
• Private tour: Follow the route on your phone without an in-person guide or crowded group.
• At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
• Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
• Multi-device access: Use the same password on one device for each traveler included in your booking.
• More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
• Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
• Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
• Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
• Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
• Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share a tour by using separate earbuds. We recommend using headphones or earbuds for clearer audio and to avoid disturbing nearby guests.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Frequently asked questions