A bike itinerary for Central Park, the best activity to do in NY
Central Park, the most famous park in New York and the globe, has several attractions. This lovely park, located in the heart of Manhattan, is rectangular in shape and 4 kilometers (2.49 miles) long, making it a veritable green lung for the metropolis.
The greatest views of Central Park may be obtained by ascending to the Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center as we explained in our 5 days in New York itinerary or from the MET’s terrace. We guarantee that none of them will let you down.
Keep in mind that the finest season to visit Central Park is in spring or fall, when the colors of the leaves on the trees are at their most, however the iconic skating rink at Wollman Rink is also built up in winter, which would be another perfect time to visit Central Park. If you are wondering when to visit New york, we leave you here our post “When to visit New York” with all the pros and cons of each season for you to decide which fits you best.
We only stayed in New York for 5 days and we still spent a whole morning in Central Park, and we do not regret it at all. Regardless of what some of you may think, Central park is way more than grass and trees, there are plenty of things to visit, some with a lot of history.
Table of content:
10 imprescindibles to see in the Bike Itinerary for Central Park
1. The lake
We begin our bike itinerary for Central Park with a romantic walk along the beach of the Lake is one of the nicest things to do in Central Park in New York. In addition to being one of the most iconic sites, this gorgeous lake has numerous special corners in which the skyscrapers of the Upper West Side are mirrored.
2. Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields, located on the west side of Central Park, is another of the most gorgeous spots to visit and one of our favorite parts of the park. Maybe not for what it is, because it is “just” a little square in the middle of central park, but for its history.
This lovely memorial is devoted to John Lennon, who was killed not far from here, outside the gates of the Dakota building, where he resided.
The mosaic on the floor with the lyrics to his most famous song, Imagine, is a charming location. We recommend that you sit on one of the benches and appreciate the creativity of many street artists and spontaneous visitors who sing Beatles songs in tribute to the Beatles.
3. Sheep Meadow
One of the delightful activities in New York is grabbing takeout from a local kiosk or supermarket and settling down for a picnic in Central Park, perhaps after or before exploring a bike itinerary in Central Park.
Many New Yorkers’ top choice is Sheep Meadow, which, on clear days, is bustling with people lounging on towels or blankets with their picnic setups. From this vantage point in Central Park, the towering skyscrapers encircling it provide a dramatic backdrop. If upon arrival you find Sheep Meadow teeming with visitors, the Great Lawn stands as an excellent alternative, offering another spacious meadow perfect for relaxation and taking in the park’s ambiance.
4. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is a must stop in our bike itinerary for Central Park is a large lake with a track that surrounds it that is ideal for running. This lake, which has appeared in several films and where you could even see a famous person running if you’re lucky, was renamed in honor of Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of John F. Kennedy, since this was her favorite place in New York.
Beautiful views of the Upper West Side skyscrapers can be seen from one of the lake’s sides, with the Gold Building standing out with its two distinctive towers.
5. Bow Bridge and Gapstow Bridge
Another must stop in our bike itinerary for Central Park was Bow Bridge and Gapstow Bridge are the two most magnificent bridges to view in Central Park, as well as two gems for photographers, since they are two of the greatest spots to snap shots of New York.
Gapstow Bridge is a stunning stone bridge built in 1896 that is surrounded by vegetation and positioned at the northeast end of the park with spectacular views of the lake and the majestic buildings in the backdrop.
Bow Bridge is a beautiful cast-iron bridge on The Lake that has appeared in various films, including Woody Allen’s Manhattan and Sidney Pollack’s The Way We Were.
6. Belvedere Castle
Belvedere Castle, a charming Victorian-style edifice, stands proudly on Vista Rock, marking the pinnacle of our bike itinerary in Central Park. As the park’s highest point, it offers panoramic views that encompass landmarks such as the expansive Great Lawn, peppered with baseball fields, and the serene Turtle Pond sitting at its forefront.
Nestled below the castle, visitors will find the enchanting Shakespeare Garden. This garden boasts a diverse collection of flora, all of which are mentioned in Shakespeare’s literary works. As you wander, keep an eye out for plaques next to the plants and flowers, each bearing quotes from the Bard that reference the corresponding flora.
7. Bethesda Terrace and Bethesda Fountain
Another notable place to visit in our bike itinerary for Central Park is the Bethesda Terrace and Bethesda Fountain. The fountain on Bethesda Terrace is one of the most famous and has appeared in many films throughout the world, along with the Fontana di Trevi, which has a bronze sculpture of the Water Angel, the first to be installed in Central Park.
On the terrace, you can see the Bethesda Fountain, and on the lower level, you can see a lovely collection of arches tiles..
This source has been in a number of Hollywood films; if you’re a movie buff, don’t miss out on some tour of series and film sets.
8. Alice in Wonderland
Our favorite sculpture in Central Park is the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, which has Alice seated on a big mushroom beside the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the March Hare. It is a wonderful area, generally extremely packed with children with their parents taking photographs of them, located adjacent to the Conservatory Water lake, where it is interesting to observe people playing with little remote control boats.
As an aside, Alice in Wonderland was funded by a New York millionaire in honor of his wife, who was a fan of Lewis Carroll and his most famous work.
9. The Mall
The Mall is one of the best places we saw in our bike itinerary for Central Park, it is an attraction that has been in the most films and is also one of the most lovely. This path amongst giant elms begins at the southern end, at the Literary Walk, and concludes with the Bethesda Fountain, which features different statues of writers including one of Christopher Columbus.
It is a must-see in autumn with the fall of the leaves and in spring with its green colors, as well as one of the top things to do in Central Park. You can’t help but appreciate the ambience when sitting on one of The Mall’s many seats with a tasty ice cream.
10. MET
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the greatest museums in New York and one of the most significant in the world, with special exhibits on Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. This museum, located on one of Central Park’s edges, is especially notable for its spectacular rooftop, which is accessible from April to October and offers one of the greatest views of New York.
One of the nicest things to see and do in Central Park is to go up to its terrace and view them while sipping a beverage. The views with the skyline of skyscrapers with the sea of green forests and meadows of the park in the foreground, we are sure, will leave you speechless.
Central Park Rules
Central park has its own rules and must be followed. It is funny because the police that patrol Central Park do so by horse, so it is quite spectacular to see them. Hopefully, they will pass through you without any fine.
You must be aware of the rules for your bike itinerary for Central Park, we will sum them up here but if you want to learn more about them, Central Park has its own page (https://www.centralpark.com/things-to-do/attractions) where you can read a lot about this amazing park in New York.
Biking in Central Park
However if you are planning to go biking in the Park, you should follow the bike rules and guidelines to ensure the safety of all Park visitors. Remember to slow down at crosswalks, yield to pedestrians, and proceed with caution.
The main rules you must follow in Central Park when biking are:
- Cycling on landscapes or pedestrian paths is prohibited, except the marked shared paths at 96th Street and West 106th–108th Streets.
If you want to enter a pedestrian path you just have to get off the bike and walk with the bike on your side. If you are going to follow the bike itinerary we have prepared below, you will have to do so almost for each stop because the most beautiful areas of Central Park do not allow bikes.
- Drives that circle the Park are one-way (counterclockwise only)
- Pedestrians have the right of way at all times
- Obey all traffic laws such as traffic signals, stop signs, and the 20-mph speed limit
- Travel at a slower speed in response to crowds, weather conditions, or emergencies
- Obey all ONE-WAY signs and arrows
- Children under age 14 must wear a helmet (recommended for every cyclist, regardless of age)
General rules for the bike itinerary for Central Park
However if you are planning to go biking in the Park, you should follow the bike rules and guidelines to ensure the safety of all Park visitors. Remember to slow down at crosswalks, yield to pedestrians, and proceed with caution. In this bike itinerary for central park, we made sure not to upset now one, as New Yorkers are known for their fiery temper.
The main rules you must follow in Central Park when biking are:
- Cycling on landscapes or pedestrian paths is prohibited, except the marked shared paths at 96th Street and West 106th–108th Streets.
If you want to enter a pedestrian path you just have to get off the bike and walk with the bike on your side. If you are going to follow the bike itinerary we have prepared below, you will have to do so almost for each stop because the most beautiful areas of Central Park do not allow bikes.
- Drives that circle the Park are one-way (counterclockwise only)
- Pedestrians have the right of way at all times
- Obey all traffic laws such as traffic signals, stop signs, and the 20-mph speed limit
- Travel at a slower speed in response to crowds, weather conditions, or emergencies
- Obey all ONE-WAY signs and arrows
- Children under age 14 must wear a helmet (recommended for every cyclist, regardless of age)
Bike Itinerary for Central Park
Central Park is a cyclist’s dream, whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely ride or an adrenaline-pumping journey. In this bike itinerary for Central Park, we guide you on paths that allow you to absorb the picturesque surroundings, tackle challenging terrains, or blend the two for an unforgettable experience. Given that Central Park’s lanes are frequented by joggers, walkers, skaters, horse carriages, and others, we urge you to exercise caution, particularly during weekends or pleasant weather when the park becomes bustling.
For most tourists, having a personal bike in New York isn’t typical, and we didn’t have one either. Fortunately, our NY Pass (NY Pass, why it’s worth-it) offered a 4-hour bike itinerary for Central Park. Various rental services surround Central Park, but we opted for Unlimited Biking, conveniently located just a street away from the park’s entrance.
If you’ve grasped the guidelines we’ve mentioned, you’ll recognize that charting a bike itinerary in Central Park isn’t as straightforward as it seems, especially if you want to explore all its nooks and crannies. Yet, with a solid plan in hand, cycling around becomes a delightful pursuit. We’ve curated two itineraries for you. Initially, we aimed for the shorter route but eventually completed the longer bike itinerary for Central Park. With multiple stops to enjoy, it doesn’t feel as exhaustive as one might anticipate.
Both itineraries kick off at the Grand Army Plaza, primarily because our chosen bike rental was in close proximity. However, feel free to tweak the journey to match your starting point. We believe that beginning here is optimal, as it aligns with the commencement of the biking path, ensuring a smoother experience.
Bike Itinerary for Central Park: Long Itinerary
We entered Central park by Bike and the first thing we encountered was the Grand Army Plaza, it was full of horses. We headed up north and here you have to be very careful because there is only one path you can take with your bike and that goes up to the north of the park, it is easy to see but take it into account.
Our first stop was The Mall, it is the typical park street that you are tired of seeing in movies and films and obviously, we had to stop to take some photos. Remember that to go out of the main road you must get off of your bike and walk. Here we saw our first squirrel.
We continued our Central Park itinerary by Bike to the next stop which was the Belvedere Castle. It was raining a little bit but it was still precious. We highly recommend going up to the hill to see the views.
After that, we saw that we were already at the height of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the MET, so we got off of our bikes and we went to visit it. We didn’t get inside but we did sit on the famous stairs, we took advantage of the good weather and we ate some typical NY hot dogs as you can read in our post about “what to eat in NY”.
After this little break, we continued our itinerary of Central park by Bike and we arrived at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. Here we get off of our bikes again to get to see the views, it is amazing how nature and Manhattan collide, it is a very poetic stop.
We continued a little bit more and we enjoyed the views for a while until we reached The Great Hill. We did not get up there because we were quite tired by this point since this last tram of the itinerary is all uphill but we enjoyed a lot of birds and squirrels passing by.
Embarking on our bike itinerary in Central Park, we began our descent, making our way to the other side of the Park. Our subsequent destination was Strawberry Fields and The Dakota, situated directly opposite John Lennon’s final residence – the tragic site where he was fatally shot. A touching “IMAGINE” inscribed memorial marks the location, creating a serene ambiance.
Navigating this part of our bike itinerary in Central Park requires some attention. Be sure to take a left, ushering you into Cherry Hill. This detour rewards you with a view of the renowned Bethesda Terrace and its iconic Fountain. We took a moment here, simply to soak in the sights and the vibrant atmosphere.
Prior to venturing to our next landmark, we detoured to The Lake. Although it’s situated slightly uphill from the Bethesda Fountain, the journey is undoubtedly worth it. Naturally, the Bow Bridge was a focal point of our visit. Our intended pit-stop was the Sheep Meadow where we hoped to relax; however, due to some earlier rainfall, we chose to keep moving.
While it might appear to be a brief journey on paper, this bike itinerary in Central Park spanned a surprising 3 hours, brimming with enjoyment. If time isn’t a constraint for you, we wholeheartedly endorse this extended route for anyone planning to explore Central Park on two wheels.
Bike Itinerary for Central Park: Short Itinerary
In this case, the itinerary is shorter but you see almost the same things. Most of the things are in the south of Central Park so if you see yourself incapable of doing the full route or you do not have time enough, this one will not disappoint you.
You want to enter Central park by Bike so the first thing you will encounter will be the Grand Army Plaza. Then you will head up north and here you have to be very careful because there is only one path you can take with your bike and that goes up to the north of the park, it is easy to see but take it into account.
The first stop was The Mall, it is the typical park street that you are tired of seeing in movies and films and obviously, you have to stop to take some photos. Remember that to go out of the main road you must get off of your bike and walk. Here you may see your first squirrel.
After the Mall, you will not follow the main route but will turn left to the Cherry Hill. Here you will find the Bethesda Terrace and its famous Fountain. We recommend you to stop here to enjoy the views and the atmosphere.
Before going to the next stop you should also visit The Lake, which is a little bit uphill from the Bethesda Fountain but is worth it. Here you cannot miss the Bow Bridge.
If you want to add a little stop, when you follow the path to the south, do not go directly left to the south but get off of your bike and go up a little to the Strawberry Fields and The Dakota, just in front of the last home of John Lenon and where he was murdered, there is a memorial with “IMAGINE” written down. It is a very beautiful space.
After this little additional stop you can continue south on the main route to your next and last stop will be the Sheep Meadow where, if the weather is nice, you can sit or eat something like a real New Yorker.
Conclusion of our bike itinerary of Central Park
The charm of Central Park is unparalleled, and what better way to delve deep into its beauty than through the Bike Itinerary for Central Park: Long Itinerary. This route, meticulously crafted for those with a passion for cycling and exploration, provides a comprehensive journey through the park’s iconic landmarks, serene lakes, and winding trails.
As you pedal through, the Bike Itinerary for Central Park: Long Itinerary ensures you don’t miss out on any of the park’s captivating corners, while also giving you the thrill of an extended ride. Having completed this adventure, or even as you plan to embark on it, we’re eager to hear your stories. Did you have a favorite spot? Was there a particular moment that took your breath away? Drop your experiences in the comment section below. Your personal insights might inspire fellow cyclists to gear up and experience the allure of Central Park’s longest bike route.
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