Top 10 Central Park Sightseeing Locations

Central Park is one of the Big Apple’s biggest attractions. Its unspoiled beauty makes it a great place to get away from hustle and bustle of the city and it’s loaded with exciting “hot spots” which are very popular with tourists and residents alike!

If you want to make the most of your time in New York City, we definitely recommend spending time in Central Park. It’s a wonderful place to people-watch and it’s also full of interesting and historical things to see and do.

Central Park is unique, as it offers so many attractions which take visitors on a trip back through time. As well, it offers plenty of soothing green space, which allows visitors to relax and forget about the cares of the day. It’s also a great place to get exercise if you want to. This park is famous for good reason. It’s like an oasis in the middle of a hectic and vibrant metropolis. Since there is so much territory to explore, it’s helpful to have a plan before you venture into the park. This is why we want to discuss the top ten Central Park sightseeing locations.

Visit one, a few or all of them in order to learn more about the park’s history and New York City’s history. Once you’ve discovered these attractions, they may become places that you love to visit whenever you’re in New York. Before you drop by, be sure to put on comfortable shoes and bring your camera, as well as a bottle of water.

10. Central Park Sightseeing is Alice in Wonderland

This Central Park landmark is situated near the Conservatory Water, along E. 74th. The statue rises to a height of eleven feet and it is cast in bronze. Alice is accompanied by the Mad Hatter, as well as a few other buddies. This sculpture was created by an artist named Jose de Creeft back in the late 1950s. It’s a statue that kids are encouraged to play on, so you may find some little ones touching it and crawling on it when you visit. In fact, certain sections of the statue have been rubbed smooth by the hands and feet of kids! You may want to touch it yourself, as it’s just so charming and so well-made. It’s really one of the premier examples of sculpture in the Park, although there are plenty more!

9. Central Park Sightseeing is The Ramble

Central Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and part of his handiwork is The Ramble. This is a wild garden which stretches a staggering thirty-six acres. The Ramble was designed to provide visitors with access to tranquility. It’s a great place to wander and collect your thoughts, surrounded by all of the glory of nature. This part of the park was built early on. It is completely man-made, except for its bedrock platform area. If you love to walk and look at plants and flowers, you’ll find that The Ramble offers you a perfect place to stroll and drink in beauty out of doors.

8. Central Park Sightseeing is Strawberry Fields

This section of the park is dedicated to the memory of Beatles’ singer, John Lennon. Lennon believed in peace and love and this serene part of Central Park is designed to be a beautiful homage to his legacy and values. Names for one of his most famous compositions, Strawberry Fields Forever, which was penned in the mid-1960s, Strawberry Fields opened in 1985 and its signature mosaic was the work of Italian artisans. It was a present from the Italian city of Naples. Strawberry Fields is so soothing and its meaning is very powerful. This landmark attracts tons of Beatles fans every year.

7. Central Park Sightseeing is Bow Bridge

This gorgeous bridge is crafted from cast iron and it’s the first bridge to be erected within Central Park. It’s actually the second-oldest bridge in America. Constructed between 1859 and 1862, it connects The Ramble’s wild garden territory with Cherry Hill. The bridge lies low and has a unique silhouette and a delicate appearance. It’s really a romantic place and people love to photograph it and to be photographed while they are on it (or in front of it). It’s ornate enough to be really special and it’s unique enough to be unforgettable!

6. Central Park Sightseeing is Waterfall and Arch

Central Park has its fair share of waterfalls, many of which are situated in its Ravine. To find the waterfalls, enter the park via Glen Span Arch, which is located near 102nd Street. At this point, just wander along where the moving water is. This moving water is known as “the Loch”. While the waterfalls are man-made, they look so real and they are very scenic and soothing. The Waterfall and Arch are great places to chill out and enjoy the soothing rush of water. They are also great places to take some stunning pictures!

5. Central Park Sightseeing is Reservoir

This Reservoir’s full name is the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. However, the reservoir was re-named in the late First Lady’s honour in 1994, so the name change is relatively new. Jackie used to run along this part of the park, as did former American President, Bill Clinton. The reservoir features a water quantity of over one billion gallons and it is close to 86th Street. It’s definitely a popular place for joggers and it’s also a great place to look for birds. Jackie O fans definitely seek out this part of the park, for its historical value alone. However, it’s also popular with bird-watchers, who spot loons and other birds while they are there.

4. Central Park Sightseeing is Obelisk

This historical artifact may also be called, “Cleopatra’s Needle” and it is ancient indeed! In fact, it was created in ancient Egypt way back in 1450 BC, in order to honour the third jubilee of a Pharaoh named Thutmosis III. Getting the obelisk to the Big Apple was no easy feat and it took several months just to get it from the Hudson River to the Park! The shaft of this structure rises seventy-one feet in height and the shaft alone weighs in at two hundred tons! Stunning and dramatic, this obelisk is well worth a look.

3. Central Park Sightseeing is Belvedere Castle

This castle is beautiful and it’s a wonderful place to enjoy exhibits with a distinct historical flavour! The castle features an array of exhibits, as well as a deck for observation. The castle is also the location of the park’s own weather station. You’ll find this picturesque castle on 79th Street. Its name means “beautiful view” in Italian and a beautiful view will definitely be yours to enjoy when you drop by. From its terraces, you may check out some stunning vistas and enjoy great views of Turtle Pond, the Delacorte Theatre and a range of other attractions.

2. Central Park Sightseeing is Conservatory Garden

This lovely garden is formal and style and it covers six acres of space. Within the garden, you’ll find a trio of small gardens, each of which has its own style. One garden is English, while another is French and the third is Italian. The main entrance to the Conservatory Garden is situated along Fifth Avenue, around 104 and 105 streets. The entrance features a stunning gate which is crafted from iron, which was constructed in Paris and used to guard the front of a famous 5th Avenue mansion known as the Vanderbilt Mansion. The Vanderbilts were very wealthy and part of the city’s social elite – TV reporter, Anderson Cooper, is a part of the Vanderbilt clan.

1. Central Park Sightseeing is Bethesda Terrace and Fountain

This famous Central Park terrace features a couple of levels which are connected by a pair of stunning staircases. There is also a third staircase beneath Terrace Drive, which takes pedestrians closer to the band shell, as well as The Mall. The Bethesda Terrace and Fountain provide optimal spots for checking out the scenic Lake. This Central Park landmark is crafted from a trio of stone types, which are Roman brick, New Brunswick sandstone and granite.

Central Park is Not-to-be-Missed

As you can see, Central Park is a wonderful place to spend time. There are few parks worldwide which offer the same blend of features and attractions. Since it’s possible to see so much in the park, from old-school mansions to ornate terraces to waterfalls and ancient Egyptian artifacts, as well as a lovely Alice in Wonderland sculpture, no trip to the Big Apple is complete without a jaunt in Central Park!

The history of New York City comes alive in this gorgeous place. Some people explore the vast park on foot, while others sign on for Central Park pedicab rides which allow them to see the highlights without tiring out their legs. Others explore the area while jogging or cycling. However you choose to explore, you’ll find that you never forget Central Park.

Hopefully, our guide to the top ten central park sightseeing locations will help you to create the perfect itinerary. There are other attractions in the park. However, our ten picks are probably the most popular and worthwhile. Now that you know more, why not plan a trip to Central Park today?

Useful link about New York City Sightseeing is New York City Bucket List about things to do and see in The Big Apple.

The Conservatory Garden

History and Where it is Today

Smack in the middle of a bustling Central Park is the hidden oasis known as the Conservatory Garden. This six-acre garden offers much needed quiet and change of scenery–a serenity in stark contrast with the city’s noise and numerous activities.

The Conservatory Garden took its name from the previous glass conservatory which stood in the same area during the period 1989 to 1934. The original garden in the area was maintained by head gardener Ignax Pilate. His efforts of planting the first plants and shrubs paved way to the development of the very garden every tourist and New Yorkers enjoy up to this day.

However, the apparent deteriorating condition of the conservatory proved it too difficult to push through with the initial plan. Restoration expenses and maintenance efforts became too costly and soon enough the structure was torn down.

It was then that the idea of cultivating a formal garden was born.

Through the joint efforts and expertise of designer Gilmore D. Clarke, landscape architect Robert Moses, and M. Betty Sprout, the Conservatory Garden was completed and finally opened to the public on the year 1937.

A Quick Tour Inside the Conservatory Garden

To find your way inside the garden, you must enter through the Vanderbilt Gate, originally known as the passageway to Vanderbilt Mansion at Fifth Avenue and 58th Street before its demolition on 1927. The impressive iron gate with intricate design and repoussé details was made in an iron foundry France by George B. Post, a renowned American architect.

Designer Gilmore Clarke made sure that the Conservatory Garden is unlike any other. The Garden is divided into three parts of distinct styles: English, French, and Italian. A small part of the garden for each style represents the lavish and rich plant life one will definitely appreciate while inside the area.

The Central Garden is notably of Italian origin. Its walkways lined with prominent crabapple trees provides borders for both sides of the garden. During spring, the crabapples will be in its full bloom making the garden all the more aesthetically pleasing to onlookers.

Upon reaching the west side of the garden, a wisteria pergola made of wrought-iron can be seen ornamenting an immaculate geyser fountain–a divine view made more special when violet flowers are in bloom around the pergola.

The meticulously kept green lawn promises relief and relaxation with its understated platform where a full view of the myriad of flowers around the area can be more appreciated. The Italian Garden is ideal for celebration of weddings and is a favorite spot for couples wanting to have precious photos as souvenirs.

France in New York

At the northern part of the area lies the French garden. What differentiates this classic garden from the other sections is its Three Dancing Maidens, a beautiful fountain made by German Sculptor Walter Schott in 1910.

This central attraction within the garden is lavishly surrounded by beds of well-kept array of flowers which change with each season. Indeed, the wonders of plant life inside the garden might very well be the ultimate reason why anyone should at least visit the garden in their lifetime.

You can just imagine how a thousands of tulips signaling the end of winder will suddenly change into numerous Korean chrysanthemums to proclaim the coming of fall–each dance of season an opportunity for a wild and mesmerizing floral display.

And to fully appreciate the significance of the changing seasons, four entryways are connected to the center of the garden where each pergola is adorned with Silver Moon roses famous for their attractive pink and white hues.

English and Blooms

Finally, you’ll step into the south garden patterned in English style. What makes this part different from the first two is its lack of extreme formality–making it more laid back and closer to the heart of anyone who just want some time off the busy streets of New York.

What makes it even better is that you don’t have to wait for the season to change to see that much-awaited blooms you can admire as you can see it almost every week.

If you’re a reader and a fan of Frances Hodgson Burnett, you’ll immediately take note of the Burnett Fountain, a bronze sculpture of the young boy and girl characters in the book The Secret Garden. The fountain was designed by Bessie Potter Vonnoh in 1936.

Hundreds of floating water lilies can be found in the surrounding pool where a number of sophisticated goldfishes are freely swimming as well. The planting beds, collection shrubs and perennial trees are found in the southern part of the area and completes the whole mesmerizing aura that the English garden offers.

It’s safe to say that the English garden is a true favorite of many due to its dependable seasonal blooms and beautiful walkways. It is the place favored by strollers, gardeners, sight-seers and even readers who are looking for tranquil and open space.

Rich in History and Beauty

The beauty of the Conservatory Garden does not only lie in its rich background and history–it is found in the marvelous cycle of life seen with each bloom and season, heard in the very rippling sound of the fountain and the whistle of the wind, and felt in the hearts of every visitor.

Indeed, a glimpse inside the Conservatory Garden will transport you into a world you’ve never imagined can be found in the midst of the ever-busy New York City.

To take guided tour of Conservatory Garden please reserve 3-Hours Central Park Rickshaw Tour.