Exploring Central Park's Icons

Have you ever wondered if you can explore the entire Central Park in a day? We have!

Have you ever wondered how much of Central Park you can visit in a day? We have! We have always loved nature and been planning a trip all summer but the weather didn’t cooperate. So we made it a fall trip. Looking at the weather the week in advance we were supposed to have sunny skies and a crisp 65F degrees but to our dismay, we woke up to gloom and drizzle. Nevertheless, Central Park was high on our list of places to explore, plus we had brunch reservations and a day out with colleagues we did not want to miss.

I started looking for a wheelchair path online and after a few hours of performing searches and playing around with the interactive map on Central Park’s website, as well as Google searches, I realized it was futile. In the FAQs section, I read it was best to ask the information staff at the kiosks about accessibility. So the best thing to do was to start our journey from Columbus Circle on 60th Street (not that we wanted extra wheeling on a misty day) and get the accessible information we needed. We wanted to visit the iconic Bethesda Fountain & Terrace, Strawberry Fields, The Lake & Bow Bridge, Cherry Hill and The Mall & Literary Walk which we explained to the staff and requested an Accessible Map to which she replied was online. Obviously several of us searched and did not find it. Much to our disappointment, she explained to us Bow Bridge, Bethesda Fountain & Terrace as well as Literary Walks were not accessible because of stairs. She told the best way to get around the park with Annie’s wheelchair was on the main road and the accessible bathroom was at 66th Street at Tavern on the Green. We asked for a map to draw the pathway ourselves and found out the maps at her station were $2 (smaller map at kiosks in the park is for free) which a lovely tourist paid on our behalf.

And so our adventure continued… We leisurely started strolling the park around noon making our way to Tavern on the Green where we stopped to listen to their lively band and use the restroom. Continuing onto Strawberry Fields, we realized the incline was steep for Annie’s wheelchair, so I took a quick walk up to check it out. It was too crowded with tourists therefore decided not to wheel the chair up.

We moseyed on the main road to Cherry Hill which is named after blooming cherry trees during the springtime, an area which is lovely picnicking. Odd enough many tourists were in the same spot as us yet asking where is Cherry Hill, mentioning the sitcom Friends. This is not the actual fountain from the sitcom but gained it’s fame from pedicab staffs marketing it as such.

We lingered in the area a bit, watching the row boaters and appreciating the hints of fall foliage. We were able to see The Lake and Bow Bridge, but thought the slope was too steep based on what the staff told us. So we made our way over to Bethesda Fountain & Terrace which we were only able to view from the top as there were no ramps to get closer. It’s a great area for people watching, two wedding parties added color to the cloudy day, a painter was diligent at work capturing the rust foliage and street performers were charming the crowd. While we did not see everything we wanted to, we were glad to spend a few hours in the park with the rustling trees, the fall air and the rhythmic sounds of the horses carrying guests in their the colorfully decorated carriages. And FYI - you can spend a few days exploring the park because there is so much to see and do.

Important: A couple of weeks after our visit, I found this extremely helpful Accessible Map, click here to view or download it.

Please use it to plan your trip. I went back to capture some photographs since pictures are not top of mind most times for us. I used the map to walk along the path we initially wanted. Much to my chagrin, some of it is actually accessible. You can start off along Central Park West, cutting in at 72nd Street to see Strawberry Fields, then take the slope down on the left which has a lesser incline. Then continue onto Cherry Hill, from there you can get down and walk right by The Lake. This pathway leads you over to Bow Bridge for iconic photos and what do you know? You can actually get over to the base of Bethesda Fountain and Terrace. I was very disappointed all of us did not get this experience the iconic spots but are happy to share it with you.

Suggested Duration: 2 hours minimum

Accessibility:
Click here to download Central Park's Accessible Map
Accessible restrooms are scattered and noted on the map linked, we suggest you plan accordingly. We highly suggest using the accessibility map to plan your trip, it depicts accessible trails and pathways. It does not state if the Restaurants and all Points of Interest are accessible and would be best to call the Restaurants ahead of time and email support@centralpark.com regarding the Points of Interests.  Dining information within the park can be found by clicking this link. Central Park Conservancy physical address is 717 Fifth Avenue, 10022.

Location:
West 59 Street at Central Park West
Phone: 212-310-6600
 Website: www.centralparknyc.org
Email: support@centralpark.com

Schedule for Visitor Center Hours:
Summer (Memorial Day - Labor Day) 9:00 am - 7:30 pm
Fall | Winter | Spring 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day
 

General Admissions: Free

Public Transportation
- M10: On the West side, this bus runs north and south along Central Park West.
- M1, M2, M3, M4: On the East side, buses run south along Fifth Avenue, and north along Madison Avenue.
- M57, M66, M72, M79, M86, M96, M106, M116: These crosstown buses run West to East and East to West along 57th, 66th, 72nd, 79th, 86th, 96th, 106th & 110th Streets
- From Penn Station: Take the M20 Bus from W 34th Street station heading towards Lincoln Center. Get off at Central Park South near Columbus Circle
- From Grand Central Station: Take the Q32 Bus from Madison Ave and E 42nd Street station heading towards Jackson Heights, Queens. Go west on E 59th Street until you come to 5th Ave and Central Park South.

Important: Information is subject to change, please visit https://www.centralparknyc.org/ for the most up to date details.
Sep 2024