wordsmith1

We are taking a teen to NYC. What part of Central Park would be the most investing to see and where would we enter to go there? He is 13.

SusieQQ

Not knowing his interests make it hard for suggestions. Here is a very good site with maps, etc. for you to search:

Central Park - The Official Website of Central Park NYC

HappyTrvlr

Does he have any interest in The Beatles? “Strawberry Fields”, a memorial to John Lennon, is near West 72nd St entrance.

wordsmith1

Not sure he would like that but have seen it myself. What is the best entrance : around 65th or 59th?

nycguy10002

65 St & Central Park West is better as it is closer to Strawberry Fields which is at W72nd St (there is an entrance at W72nd & Central Park West).

sf7307

I personally love the entrance at 65th St. and 5th Avenue, but really, I don't think it matters where you enter the park - it's all good.

tuscanlifeedit

What about the lovely Botanical Garden, the charming zoo, or the Boat House? Those are all places where we've had family outings.

ellenem

For first-time visitors to the park, I usually concentrate on the southern end, especially because it features many areas that appear in movies. I love features at the north end, too--it's difficult to pick. Check the website to see if my suggestions miss something that might be of interest to you. It really pays to study the map of the park--it is 2.5 miles long by .75 miles wide, so there is a lot to do and see.

Enter the park at 59th St and Fifth Avenue and walk along the Pond, which is often shown in movies because it has a picturesque bridge. You can photograph the pond with the city building rising behind.

Then walk through the Zoo. You can see what it is like walking along the path and decide if you want to pay to go in. It is a small zoo and might take about an hour to visit. Walk north out of the zoo and visit the statue of Balto. There are some nice rock formation here, always with kids scrambling up them.

Swing west past the Dairy (one of the first buildings renovated during the 1980s) and take a ride on the Carousel. This carousel really moves and is worth it for children and adults.

Walk north along the edge of the Sheep Meadow and then along the Mall, one of the most famous walks that is often featured in movies. This ends at the Bethesda Terrace and fountain, which might be THE most famous place in Central Park shown in movies.

Walk east along the lake, watching the rowboats, to the Conservatory Water to watch the sailboats. The fictional character Stuart Little sailed here. You can also see the statue of Hans Christian Anderson (west side of water) and Alice in Wonderland (north side of water).

Walk north and west through wooded areas to the Belvedere Castle and a view across the Turtle Pond and Great Lawn. Continue west downhill through the Shakespeare Garden.

You could exit the park here (81st Street and Central Park West) and visit the American Museum of Natural History, or walk south along the lake to visit Strawberry Fields.

This is about 2.6 miles of walking, about an hour of walking without any stops along the way.

Here's my approximate route overlaid of the Central Park official map.

denisea

If you are arriving or leaving by subway, check the station closings. The W72 station was closed while I was there a little over a week ago. It's not a big problem, we just got off at W81st station and entered the park there. You could leave via W59th or W81st if you decide to follow the route ellenem suggested, if you want to exit close to a subway station. Enjoy your trip.

wordsmith1

Thanks so much---very valuable!!!!!

maitaitom

Here was our little walk in Central Park back in 2015.

https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/21205-2/