New York with kids

Central Park with Kids: a Route from the Zoo to the Castle

Central Park is too big to see in a day, and you don't need to. This route covers the southern half, roughly 60th to 80th Streets, and strings together the places kids love most. It's about 3 kilometres (2 miles) of walking, with playgrounds along the way to break it up.

By Play Your Trip · Updated · 3 min read

A pixel-art page of a family's Central Park day

A morning-to-afternoon walk through the park

Start at Fifth Avenue and 60th Street, end at Belvedere Castle near 79th Street.

  1. Morning

    Central Park Zoo (opens Google Maps)

    Penguins, sea lions and snow leopards, plus the Tisch Children's Zoo. Just outside, the Delacorte Musical Clock plays on the hour and half hour.

    Official site

  2. Late morning

    Balto the sled dog (opens Google Maps)

    A statue of the husky who helped carry medicine to Nome, Alaska, in 1925. Generations of kids have climbed on him; his ears shine from all the petting.

  3. Late morning

    The Carousel (opens Google Maps)

    A grand old carousel, mid-park around 65th Street.

  4. Midday · Lunch

    Picnic on Sheep Meadow (opens Google Maps)

    A huge lawn with the skyline on the horizon. Bring lunch in.

  5. Afternoon

    Bethesda Terrace and Fountain (opens Google Maps)

    Musicians under the arcade and the Angel of the Waters. Rowboats rent at the Loeb Boathouse in season.

  6. Afternoon

    Alice in Wonderland and the sailboats (opens Google Maps)

    Kids climb all over Alice, the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit. Next to her, model sailboats race on Conservatory Water (rentals in season), the pond from Stuart Little.

  7. Late afternoon

    Belvedere Castle (opens Google Maps)

    A little castle on a rock with views over Turtle Pond. Count the turtles basking on the rocks below.

Best Central Park playgrounds

  • Heckscher Playground (around 62nd Street): the biggest, with water features in summer.
  • Ancient Playground (Fifth Avenue at 85th): pyramids and an obelisk, next to the Met.
  • Billy Johnson Playground (Fifth Avenue at 67th): a long granite slide.
  • Adventure Playground (Central Park West at 67th): tunnels, bridges and sand.

By season

  • Winter: ice skating at Wollman Rink.
  • Spring: blossoms and the first rowboats on the lake.
  • Summer: sprinklers in the playgrounds and shade under the elms of the Mall.
  • Autumn: the best colours, usually late October to mid-November.

Questions

How long do you need in Central Park with kids?

Half a day covers the southern highlights: the zoo, the carousel, Bethesda Fountain and a playground. A full day lets you add Belvedere Castle, the boats and a picnic.

Are there restrooms in Central Park?

Yes, at several playgrounds, the zoo, the Loeb Boathouse and other comfort stations. Check the park map before you go.