Check the weather
First things first, you need to check the weather before you head to the Park. No matter what you're doing, you're going to be exposed to the elements, so you need to be prepared. You also might want to choose a specific date below based on the weather (go for a bike ride in the warm weather, play some inside games in the rain). So here is the 5-day forecast for Central Park:
Here are the dates, scroll down to find all their details:
1. Bike riding
2. Picnic in the Park
3. Rent a row boat
4. Wander the Ramble
5. Take a carriage ride
6. Take a pedi cab
7. Play games, ride the carousel
8. Visit the zoo
9. Watch Shakespeare in the Park
10. Go skating
1. Bike riding
Cost: $45
Date time: 2 hours
Planning time: 15 minutes
Plan it:
Technically, you don't need to plan anything. You can rent a bike at most of the major entrances to Central Park. Look for Bike Rent NYC. They're the official bike rental partner for all New York City Parks, and they don't have any hidden fees and surcharges like most of the other companies. The bikes at the entrances are first come first served, so there's a possibility, especially on the weekends, that there won't be any bikes available for you. I highly recommend booking your bikes online beforehand. Not only does this guarantee you'll have bikes to ride at the time you want to ride them, but you also get a discount for booking it online.
I recommend you book it for at least 2 hours. At a good pace, you can get completely around the Park in about 45 minutes, but you'll want some time to stop and enjoy it.
Do it:
Here, you'll need this:
Regardless of where you start, get yourself to the loop road (Park Drive on the map). There is one major loop that circles the Park. It's 6.1 miles and it's the main way to get around on your bike. Cars have been banned from Central Park for years, so the only vehicles you'll ever see on the roads are police cars and Central Park Conservancy/Parks dept cars. You'll really only see runners and other bikers on the loop road, and everyone has their own lanes (there are even slow and fast lanes for bikes).
There are a few cross streets you can take if you don't want to do the entire loop (I especially recommend the 102nd Street cross just above the North Meadow - those hills around the North Woods are no joke).
While you're riding the loop, definitely turn on 72nd Street and stop at Bethesda Terrace. There is no bike parking here so just put them to the side and stay nearby.
Another stop I recommend is on the West side at 76th Street. By the way, you'll know what street you're on by looking at the lampposts. They'll start with W or E for West or East side, and the first two numbers will be the street you're nearest. So if you saw this lamppost, you'll know you're on the West side at 79th Street:
Anyway, at 76th you won't see anything from the loop road - it'll just look like a bunch of bushes. You'll see a traffic light with a cross walk. Hop off your bike here and head in toward the Lake. Walk your bike along the path until you come to a rock outcropping. This is Hernshead. On the runners map, look for the Ladies Pavilion, which sits just to the side of Hernshead. Again, no bike parking, so just stash your bikes off to the side where they're not in the way.
Watch our video to see what a Central Park bike date is like:
We found a Groupon years ago and loved this date. Note that we picked up our bikes at the shop and rode through the streets to the Park. You won't have to do that part.
If you want to add an extra hour, combine this date with the "Wander the Ramble" date below. You can lock your bike at the boathouse.
2. Picnic in the Park
Probably the most quintessential date in Central Park, literally nobody says no to an invitation to a picnic in the Park (unless it's snowing, I guess).
Cost: $10+ (depends on your food/drink choices)
Date time: 1.5 hours
Planning time: 1 hour
Plan it:
You're on your own for a bunch of this planning. A lot of it will depend on the type of picnic you want to have. If you want an instagram-worthy spread with a blanket, charcuterie board, and a fancy picnic basket, that will take a lot more planning than picking up a pizza or some subs. Keep in mind that alcohol is NOT PERMITTED in any New York City parks, so the wine will have to wait until after the picnic. š
Keep in mind that you'll need to carry your picnic to the location. That means two things: make it light, and it may get cold depending on how long it takes to get to the spot. If you don't have some sort of insulated bag to keep it warm, you might want to consider things that don't need to be warm, like cheese, crackers, and PB&J.
Do it:
There are so many lawns and meadows where you can set up a picnic, but here are my five favorite picnic spots in Central Park:
Sheep Meadow
This is by far the most popular picnic choice. With its amazing views of midtown, coupled with such a vast open lawn that always has space, and fun people watching to boot, you'll always have a great experience picnicking in the Sheep Meadow.
West side at 67th Street.
Turtle Pond
With fairytale views across the pond up to the Belvedere Castle, this little meadow is usually pretty quiet and serene.
Mid-park at 80th Street.
Cherry Hill
The top of the hill is gravel with the fountain that looks like the one from Friends. The north side of the hill slopes down to the Lake with views of the Ramble and Bow Bridge. Especially great in the Springtime with all the cherry blossoms blooming.
Mid-park at 72nd Street.
Arthur Ross Pinetum
Best picnic spot for those who might have trouble sitting on the ground, this spot has the most picnic tables of any area in the Park.
West side at 85th Street.
Strawberry Fields
Most tourists stick to the Imagine Mosaic, so the fields and flowers next to it are usually pretty open. You can still hear the musicians playing Beattles songs from here, so that's nice.
West side at 72nd Street.
And if, for some reason, none of those spots feel right for you, look into the Great Lawn, East Meadow, Great Hill, Cedar Hill, East Green, or my other favorite spot: the little unnamed lawn to the east of the Pond at 60th Street.
3. Rent a row boat
Cost: $20 cash (plus $20 deposit)
Date time: 1 hour
Planning time: none, just show up with cash
Plan it:
You can rent a row boat and wander around the Lake from roughly April to November, weather permitting (check the link below to see if it's open now). Row boats are first come, first serve. You can't reserve them ahead of time, and if you get there when it's busy, you'll have to wait in line. Remember to bring at least $40 in cash, since you have to leave a $20 cash deposit in addition to the $20 you pay for the first hour, and the rental booth ONLY ACCEPTS CASH.
You'll find the boat rental booth just south of the Boathouse on the east side of the Lake at about 74th Street.
Do it:
It definitely helps if you know how to row (since you'll be able to see more - the Lake is really big!), but it's not necessary. A bunch of tourists are out there just floating around without going very far, and that's still a fantastic experience.
The most iconic thing to do is to row under the Bow Bridge. Other than that, my favorite view is of Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, which is literally right at the beginning. So you don't have to be an expert rower to get to the best spots.
Watch our video to see what this experience is like:
Note: The Boathouse is currently closed to dining, but you can still rent row boats. When it reopens, you can add on a nice lunch to step this date up a few notches. Plates average $30-$50 per person.
4. Wander the Ramble
Cost: $0
Date time: 30-90 minutes
Planning time: 15 minutes
The Ramble is my favorite spot in Central Park to escape the City. You completely forget you're in New York. Surrounded by rustic wooden bridges crossing over small streams, spotting tons of birds and other cute creatures, all you hear are sounds of nature. No honking horns, no sirens. It's really peaceful.
Side note: How much do I love the Ramble for a date? Before I proposed to my wife on top of Belvedere Castle, we walked through the Ramble because it's that romantic.
Plan it:
Let me start by saying that there is a 100% chance that you will get lost in the Ramble. That's ok. And that's kind of the point.
No matter where you go, it's beautiful and you'll see lots of little animals. It's the best place to just wander without a plan, holding hands and talking.
But if you want a plan, Central Park created a little 30-minute self-guided walking tour. Take 15 minutes to look over the tour and decide where you want to go.
Do it:
You can try to follow that route if you want, but if and when you go off course, just enjoy it.
Personally, two of my favorite spots are not included on the tour. First, I highly recommend walking through the Ramble Arch. You can click this place card and use the [ā”ļøGo] button to direct you there.
The other spot I particularly love is the view from the Oak Bridge. The way the trees frame midtown, and the reflection off the Lake, it's just gorgeous.
The other two spots that you absolutely can't miss, that are included on the route above, are the Belvedere Castle and Bow Bridge.
And I'll also vouch for "The Point" on the map, the tip of that peninsula sticking out into the Lake. It has incredible views of Bethesda Terrace and Fountain and the trail to it is kind of boring so you come off looking extra cool when you pop out at the end with this amazing view. Like you know all the cool hidden spots. :)
Note: The Ramble is a daytime date.
There are few lights in the Ramble, so unless you want to terrify your date, do not go in here at night.
5. Take a carriage ride
Cost: $170 (including tip)
Date time: 1 hour
Planning time: 15 minutes
Few activities in Central Park are as iconic and truly special as riding in a horse-drawn carriage. This is a truly romantic date (as in, it's not fun or exciting). The carriage goes fairly slow and if you get out at all it's only for a brief minute to take a photo.
I recommend going when it's cold.
Most of the carraiges have heated seats and they give you a blanket and you just cuddle up with your date. It's cozy and nice.
Note: Be careful who you bring.
People are very divisive when it comes to the horse-drawn carriage industry. Some believe that it's inhumane and outdated, and others feel like it's a beautiful tradition that connects horses and humans that needs to be maintained. There are enough articles to support either view, but this New York Times piece that came out after a horse fainted in midtown is pretty balanced. I recommend reading the article and then talking to your date beforehand to make sure they're on board.
Plan it:
A few things to keep in mind:
-Check the weather. For the safety of the horses, they are not allowed to operate if it's hotter than 89Ā° or colder than 19Ā° or in a blizzard. A lot of times they send the horses back to the stables at 87Ā°.
-Carriage rides start at 9am and end by 10pm. There are fewer carriages between 4pm and 7pm because that's when the drivers switch shifts.
-There are a LOT of options for tours. The one I'm recommending here is the most common one - 50 minutes round-trip to Bethesda Terrace / Cherry Hill and back. If you want to do 20 minutes and get dropped off somewhere in the Park and continue your date on foot, you can do that, too (for about $50).
-You can book it online in advance, but there are almost always carriages ready and waiting, unless you're there during Christmas. Prices are fairly regulated, so there won't be much difference between companies or where you purchase.
-Prices are per carriage, not per person, and you can have up to four adults in the carriage. So if you're looking to save money, go on a double date and split the cost.
Planning time includes either pre-booking your ride from the link below, or planning where you want to start/end your ride and what you want to see along the way.
Do it:
If you want to pre-book your trip, I recommend NYC Horse Carriage Rides. It's a family-run operation, they have the highest rating of any carriage ride in the City, and I've been on the tour and can vouch for them as well.
If you just want to walk up and take a ride, there are two places you'll always find carriages: the north side of Grand Army Plaza (about 60th Street and 5th Ave) and 7th Ave at 59th Street. Either starting place is fine (although I slightly prefer 7th Ave because the beginning part is slightly prettier).
When you find a horse and carriage that you like, approach the driver and tell them you'd like the 50-minute tour with 2 photos. That's the pretty standard package for everyone. It should be about $150. You'll board the carriage and get comfy. Tell the driver if you want to hear about the Park or not - they're all certified tour guides, so they can tell you anything you want to know about everything you see. But if you just want to cuddle and enjoy the scenery in peace, they'll be quiet. Just let them know what kind of experience you're looking for.
The tour route is identical for all carriage companies. Regardless of where you start, the carriage will make its way to the loop road and follow it counter clockwise up the East side, cut across 72nd to Bethesda Terrace where you'll stop for a picture, then over to Cherry Hill where you'll get another picture, then down the west side and around the bottom, back to where you started.
The 20-minute tour just goes around the southeastern loop from 7th Ave, up around the Dairy, back down East Drive, and then back to where you started.
Or you can ask the driver to drop you somewhere. They'll tell you how long it will take to get there and based on that time, you'll get a price.
Remember to tip your driver.
The standard tip is 15-20%. You can pay with cash or card after the tour.
6. Join a walking tour
Cost: $50 or PWYW
Date time: 1.5 to 2+ hours
Planning time: 10 minutes
Several groups offer walking tours in different areas of the Park. They're always interesting and you get some exercise in as you walk around so win-win!
Plan it:
Check out the links below and see what tours are available for the dates you're looking at. The two I recommend are: Central Park Conservancy and Free Tours by Foot.
Central Park Conservancy Tours
The Conservancy maintains the Park and they are the trusted authorities on all things Central Park. The guides are friendly and exremely knowledgeable.
Keep in mind that the "Weekly Walks" are zoom calls, so not a great date. Make sure the tour you choose is not virtual.
Personally, I recommend the Iconic Views tour, the Heart of the Park tour, and the Ramble tour.
Conservancy Tours are $25 per person ($20 if you're a Conservancy member), they go for 90 minutes, and space is limited.
A few things you'll see on these tours:
Free Tours by Foot
Free Tours by Foot is a globally recognized tour company with a 5-star rating on Trip Advisor with 7,700+ reviews. They offer tons of tours in Central Park throughout all seasons. Some tours are fee based, but many are PWYW (Pay-What-You-Wish). You can join the tours for free and then you decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it's done.
They offer some tours that go up to 4 hours, but I recommend the Central Park (Lower Section) tour, which is 2 hours and covers many of the highlights of the Park.
A few things you might see, depending on which tour you choose:
Do it:
Reservations are required for both companies above, so once you have your reservation, just show up and walk hand-in-hand with your date as you learn about and experience Central Park.
7. Play games, ride the carousel
Cost: $6
Date time: 1-2 hours
Planning time: none
Plan it:
No planning required here. Just show up at the Chess and Checkers house, which is mid-Park at about 64th Street. You can use the [ā”ļøGo] button in the place card below to walk straight there.
Do it:
More than just chess and checkers, the Chess & Checkers house is packed with tons of board games and other fun activities. Take your date here and pick a new game you've never heard of, or ask the worker what their favorites are (they've played them all). Play a few games and have fun!
When you're done playing games, walk down the hill to the Carousel. Currently, it's $3 per person. It's always fun and memorable.
8. Visit the zoo
Cost: $40 total
Date time: 90 minutes
Planning time: 15 minutes
Most people walk through the center of the zoo and only see the sea lions because this part is free, but for $20 per person, you can go in and see so much more. There's also a children's zoo that is very interactive and fun.
Plan it:
Every guest needs a time-and date-specific ticket. You cannot buy tickets at the zoo. You MUST reserve them online in advance. All ticket sales are final.
Plan to spend 1 to 2 hours at the zoo, and if possible, make sure one of the sea lion feedings happens while you're there (and the penguin feeding, too, if possible). You can see the schedule by scrolling down on the page in this link:
Here's a map of the zoo that you can download.
Do it:
Enter from the south side of the zoo, next to the cafe and gift shop. Plan your route around the feeding schedules, because those are the most fun to watch.
If you want to have even more fun, I recommend going into the Tisch Children's zoo. You can feed baby animals, crawl through caves, and act like animals. Let your inner kid out and have a blast.
9. Watch Shakespeare in the Park
Cost: Free (or $600 for two seats)
Date time: 3 hours
Planning time: 2-6 hours, or a lot of luck
This is one of the most coveted experiences for any New Yorker. Notoriously difficult to get tickets, if you can bring a date to Shakespeare in the Park, it will leave a lasting impression.
Plan it:
The show is free. All tickets, no matter how or where you get them, are free. Not even a service charge. The problem is the Delacorte Theater only seats 1,800 people, and at least a hundred thousand people want to see the show. It gets even more difficult when the show is popular (Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet, etc.) or it features a well-known star. Past performances have incluced James Earl Jones, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Al Pacino, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington, just to name a few. Understandably, a lot of people jump at the opportunity to see an A-list star perform for free in a rather intimate setting.
Before we get into how to get tickets, in order to see a show, you need to register for a Public Theater Patron ID. It's free and only takes a minute, so do that now:
How to get your FREE tickets
There are a few ways to get tickets: stand in line at the Delecorte Theater in Central Park, win one of the ticket lotteries, or get lucky in the standby line.
Stand in line at the Delacorte Theater
Enter the Park at 81st Street on the West side.
Two tickets are handed out to every person in line at noon until seats run out. Central Park opens at 6am, and some people camp outside the Park to be first in line. For your best chance of getting tickets, go toward the beginning of the show's run, and get in line by 8am. Bring a chair and something to keep you busy for 4 hours. Tickets are handed out randomly, so being first in line does not equal front row seats.
You can also try your luck by showing up at 12:30pm. Sometimes they still have a few tickets left after they've given them to everyone in line, and you can just walk right up and get some. I've done this a few times when I just ran over during my lunch break.
Win a lottery
If you're a theater fan, you should have the TodayTix app downloaded already. This is where we get a lot of our discounted Broadway tickets. Just like many of the other digital lotteries that are hosted on the app, you can enter to win one or two free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park. Enter the lottery between midnight and noon on the day of the performance. If you're selected, you'll need to claim your tickets at the Delacorte Theater between 5:30 and 7:30pm.
Another lottery happens at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette St. at Astor Place). Be there in person between 11am and noon. The drawing is at noon. Again, you'll need to claim your actual tickets at the Delacorte Theater between 5:30 and 7:30pm.
Any unclaimed tickets by 7:30pm are distributed to the standby line.
Get standby tickets
Any tickets that haven't been claimed by 7:30pm get distributed to people waiting in a standby line. Some people stay in this line all the way from noon, when they didn't get a seat from this morning (for very popular shows). For a normal show at the beginning of the run, plan on being in the standby line by 4pm if you want to have a shot.
Make a hefty donation
The Public Theater is a nonprofit theater that really is an incredible organization. I highly recommend supporting them if you can. If you decide to support with a gift of $500 or more, you'll receive two reserved seats to Shakespeare in the Park, among other benefits and perks.
Do it:
Once you have tickets, the date is pretty straightforward. Enjoy the show!
10. Go skating in Wollman Rink
Cost: $15-$35 per person (depends on date), plus $10 per skate rental if necessary
Date time: 1 hour
Planning time: 10 minutes
I can't think of a more iconic and memorable experience in Central Park than ice skating in Wollman Rink. And if you or your date has seen the movie Serendipity, this is also one of the most romantic spots in the Park. š„°
I won't spoil the ending (that also happens here in Wollman Rink), but watch this scene from the beginning of the movie for reference:
Plan it:
You can either buy tickets online in advance or at the rink, but tickets do sell out, especially on holidays and weekends. Also keep in mind that everything in person is CASH ONLY. So I recommend booking it online ahead of time. Bring cash for snacks and hot chocolate if you want it. You can wear your own skates if you have some, or you can rent them online or at the rink. Prices vary by day, and they do have some discount dates:
Ice skating is available from the end of October through the beginning of March. If you're planning a date here in the summer, you can still go skating, but it'll be a vastly different experience. During the summer, the rink is a "DiscOasis" and you roller skate under disco balls to 70's tunes with a live DJ.
Do it:
Wollman Rink is located right about where 6th Ave and 63rd Street would intersect. I recommend entering at 5th Ave and 59th Street and taking a romantic walk up alongside the Pond, past the Gapstow Bridge. That will lead you straight into the rink.
There are no lockers at the rink (outside of the lockers people can rent for the whole season), so don't bring a lot of stuff. However, they do have a bag check for $5. No backpacks or large bags allowed on the ice. You can leave your shoes with the attendant - you'll get them back when you bring back your skates.
I hope you have fun on your dates!
If you want to plan a bunch of your own dates in Central Park, I recommend looking through my Ultimate Guide to Central Park for lots more ideas, activities, and things to see in Central Park:
Or go eat some cookies!
Check the weather
First things first, you need to check the weather before you head to the Park. No matter what you're doing, you're going to be exposed to the elements, so you need to be prepared. You also might want to choose a specific date below based on the weather (go for a bike ride in the warm weather, play some inside games in the rain). So here is the 5-day forecast for Central Park:
Here are the dates, scroll down to find all their details:
1. Bike riding
2. Picnic in the Park
3. Rent a row boat
4. Wander the Ramble
5. Take a carriage ride
6. Take a pedi cab
7. Play games, ride the carousel
8. Visit the zoo
9. Watch Shakespeare in the Park
10. Go skating
1. Bike riding
Cost: $45
Date time: 2 hours
Planning time: 15 minutes
Plan it:
Technically, you don't need to plan anything. You can rent a bike at most of the major entrances to Central Park. Look for Bike Rent NYC. They're the official bike rental partner for all New York City Parks, and they don't have any hidden fees and surcharges like most of the other companies. The bikes at the entrances are first come first served, so there's a possibility, especially on the weekends, that there won't be any bikes available for you. I highly recommend booking your bikes online beforehand. Not only does this guarantee you'll have bikes to ride at the time you want to ride them, but you also get a discount for booking it online.
I recommend you book it for at least 2 hours. At a good pace, you can get completely around the Park in about 45 minutes, but you'll want some time to stop and enjoy it.
Do it:
Here, you'll need this:
Regardless of where you start, get yourself to the loop road (Park Drive on the map). There is one major loop that circles the Park. It's 6.1 miles and it's the main way to get around on your bike. Cars have been banned from Central Park for years, so the only vehicles you'll ever see on the roads are police cars and Central Park Conservancy/Parks dept cars. You'll really only see runners and other bikers on the loop road, and everyone has their own lanes (there are even slow and fast lanes for bikes).
There are a few cross streets you can take if you don't want to do the entire loop (I especially recommend the 102nd Street cross just above the North Meadow - those hills around the North Woods are no joke).
While you're riding the loop, definitely turn on 72nd Street and stop at Bethesda Terrace. There is no bike parking here so just put them to the side and stay nearby.
Another stop I recommend is on the West side at 76th Street. By the way, you'll know what street you're on by looking at the lampposts. They'll start with W or E for West or East side, and the first two numbers will be the street you're nearest. So if you saw this lamppost, you'll know you're on the West side at 79th Street:
Anyway, at 76th you won't see anything from the loop road - it'll just look like a bunch of bushes. You'll see a traffic light with a cross walk. Hop off your bike here and head in toward the Lake. Walk your bike along the path until you come to a rock outcropping. This is Hernshead. On the runners map, look for the Ladies Pavilion, which sits just to the side of Hernshead. Again, no bike parking, so just stash your bikes off to the side where they're not in the way.
Watch our video to see what a Central Park bike date is like:
We found a Groupon years ago and loved this date. Note that we picked up our bikes at the shop and rode through the streets to the Park. You won't have to do that part.
If you want to add an extra hour, combine this date with the "Wander the Ramble" date below. You can lock your bike at the boathouse.
2. Picnic in the Park
Probably the most quintessential date in Central Park, literally nobody says no to an invitation to a picnic in the Park (unless it's snowing, I guess).
Cost: $10+ (depends on your food/drink choices)
Date time: 1.5 hours
Planning time: 1 hour
Plan it:
You're on your own for a bunch of this planning. A lot of it will depend on the type of picnic you want to have. If you want an instagram-worthy spread with a blanket, charcuterie board, and a fancy picnic basket, that will take a lot more planning than picking up a pizza or some subs. Keep in mind that alcohol is NOT PERMITTED in any New York City parks, so the wine will have to wait until after the picnic. š
Keep in mind that you'll need to carry your picnic to the location. That means two things: make it light, and it may get cold depending on how long it takes to get to the spot. If you don't have some sort of insulated bag to keep it warm, you might want to consider things that don't need to be warm, like cheese, crackers, and PB&J.
Do it:
There are so many lawns and meadows where you can set up a picnic, but here are my five favorite picnic spots in Central Park:
Sheep Meadow
This is by far the most popular picnic choice. With its amazing views of midtown, coupled with such a vast open lawn that always has space, and fun people watching to boot, you'll always have a great experience picnicking in the Sheep Meadow.
West side at 67th Street.
Turtle Pond
With fairytale views across the pond up to the Belvedere Castle, this little meadow is usually pretty quiet and serene.
Mid-park at 80th Street.
Cherry Hill
The top of the hill is gravel with the fountain that looks like the one from Friends. The north side of the hill slopes down to the Lake with views of the Ramble and Bow Bridge. Especially great in the Springtime with all the cherry blossoms blooming.
Mid-park at 72nd Street.
Arthur Ross Pinetum
Best picnic spot for those who might have trouble sitting on the ground, this spot has the most picnic tables of any area in the Park.
West side at 85th Street.
Strawberry Fields
Most tourists stick to the Imagine Mosaic, so the fields and flowers next to it are usually pretty open. You can still hear the musicians playing Beattles songs from here, so that's nice.
West side at 72nd Street.
And if, for some reason, none of those spots feel right for you, look into the Great Lawn, East Meadow, Great Hill, Cedar Hill, East Green, or my other favorite spot: the little unnamed lawn to the east of the Pond at 60th Street.
3. Rent a row boat
Cost: $20 cash (plus $20 deposit)
Date time: 1 hour
Planning time: none, just show up with cash
Plan it:
You can rent a row boat and wander around the Lake from roughly April to November, weather permitting (check the link below to see if it's open now). Row boats are first come, first serve. You can't reserve them ahead of time, and if you get there when it's busy, you'll have to wait in line. Remember to bring at least $40 in cash, since you have to leave a $20 cash deposit in addition to the $20 you pay for the first hour, and the rental booth ONLY ACCEPTS CASH.
You'll find the boat rental booth just south of the Boathouse on the east side of the Lake at about 74th Street.
Do it:
It definitely helps if you know how to row (since you'll be able to see more - the Lake is really big!), but it's not necessary. A bunch of tourists are out there just floating around without going very far, and that's still a fantastic experience.
The most iconic thing to do is to row under the Bow Bridge. Other than that, my favorite view is of Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, which is literally right at the beginning. So you don't have to be an expert rower to get to the best spots.
Watch our video to see what this experience is like:
Note: The Boathouse is currently closed to dining, but you can still rent row boats. When it reopens, you can add on a nice lunch to step this date up a few notches. Plates average $30-$50 per person.
4. Wander the Ramble
Cost: $0
Date time: 30-90 minutes
Planning time: 15 minutes
The Ramble is my favorite spot in Central Park to escape the City. You completely forget you're in New York. Surrounded by rustic wooden bridges crossing over small streams, spotting tons of birds and other cute creatures, all you hear are sounds of nature. No honking horns, no sirens. It's really peaceful.
Side note: How much do I love the Ramble for a date? Before I proposed to my wife on top of Belvedere Castle, we walked through the Ramble because it's that romantic.
Plan it:
Let me start by saying that there is a 100% chance that you will get lost in the Ramble. That's ok. And that's kind of the point.
No matter where you go, it's beautiful and you'll see lots of little animals. It's the best place to just wander without a plan, holding hands and talking.
But if you want a plan, Central Park created a little 30-minute self-guided walking tour. Take 15 minutes to look over the tour and decide where you want to go.
Do it:
You can try to follow that route if you want, but if and when you go off course, just enjoy it.
Personally, two of my favorite spots are not included on the tour. First, I highly recommend walking through the Ramble Arch. You can click this place card and use the [ā”ļøGo] button to direct you there.
The other spot I particularly love is the view from the Oak Bridge. The way the trees frame midtown, and the reflection off the Lake, it's just gorgeous.
The other two spots that you absolutely can't miss, that are included on the route above, are the Belvedere Castle and Bow Bridge.
And I'll also vouch for "The Point" on the map, the tip of that peninsula sticking out into the Lake. It has incredible views of Bethesda Terrace and Fountain and the trail to it is kind of boring so you come off looking extra cool when you pop out at the end with this amazing view. Like you know all the cool hidden spots. :)
Note: The Ramble is a daytime date.
There are few lights in the Ramble, so unless you want to terrify your date, do not go in here at night.
5. Take a carriage ride
Cost: $170 (including tip)
Date time: 1 hour
Planning time: 15 minutes
Few activities in Central Park are as iconic and truly special as riding in a horse-drawn carriage. This is a truly romantic date (as in, it's not fun or exciting). The carriage goes fairly slow and if you get out at all it's only for a brief minute to take a photo.
I recommend going when it's cold.
Most of the carraiges have heated seats and they give you a blanket and you just cuddle up with your date. It's cozy and nice.
Note: Be careful who you bring.
People are very divisive when it comes to the horse-drawn carriage industry. Some believe that it's inhumane and outdated, and others feel like it's a beautiful tradition that connects horses and humans that needs to be maintained. There are enough articles to support either view, but this New York Times piece that came out after a horse fainted in midtown is pretty balanced. I recommend reading the article and then talking to your date beforehand to make sure they're on board.
Plan it:
A few things to keep in mind:
-Check the weather. For the safety of the horses, they are not allowed to operate if it's hotter than 89Ā° or colder than 19Ā° or in a blizzard. A lot of times they send the horses back to the stables at 87Ā°.
-Carriage rides start at 9am and end by 10pm. There are fewer carriages between 4pm and 7pm because that's when the drivers switch shifts.
-There are a LOT of options for tours. The one I'm recommending here is the most common one - 50 minutes round-trip to Bethesda Terrace / Cherry Hill and back. If you want to do 20 minutes and get dropped off somewhere in the Park and continue your date on foot, you can do that, too (for about $50).
-You can book it online in advance, but there are almost always carriages ready and waiting, unless you're there during Christmas. Prices are fairly regulated, so there won't be much difference between companies or where you purchase.
-Prices are per carriage, not per person, and you can have up to four adults in the carriage. So if you're looking to save money, go on a double date and split the cost.
Planning time includes either pre-booking your ride from the link below, or planning where you want to start/end your ride and what you want to see along the way.
Do it:
If you want to pre-book your trip, I recommend NYC Horse Carriage Rides. It's a family-run operation, they have the highest rating of any carriage ride in the City, and I've been on the tour and can vouch for them as well.
If you just want to walk up and take a ride, there are two places you'll always find carriages: the north side of Grand Army Plaza (about 60th Street and 5th Ave) and 7th Ave at 59th Street. Either starting place is fine (although I slightly prefer 7th Ave because the beginning part is slightly prettier).
When you find a horse and carriage that you like, approach the driver and tell them you'd like the 50-minute tour with 2 photos. That's the pretty standard package for everyone. It should be about $150. You'll board the carriage and get comfy. Tell the driver if you want to hear about the Park or not - they're all certified tour guides, so they can tell you anything you want to know about everything you see. But if you just want to cuddle and enjoy the scenery in peace, they'll be quiet. Just let them know what kind of experience you're looking for.
The tour route is identical for all carriage companies. Regardless of where you start, the carriage will make its way to the loop road and follow it counter clockwise up the East side, cut across 72nd to Bethesda Terrace where you'll stop for a picture, then over to Cherry Hill where you'll get another picture, then down the west side and around the bottom, back to where you started.
The 20-minute tour just goes around the southeastern loop from 7th Ave, up around the Dairy, back down East Drive, and then back to where you started.
Or you can ask the driver to drop you somewhere. They'll tell you how long it will take to get there and based on that time, you'll get a price.
Remember to tip your driver.
The standard tip is 15-20%. You can pay with cash or card after the tour.
6. Join a walking tour
Cost: $50 or PWYW
Date time: 1.5 to 2+ hours
Planning time: 10 minutes
Several groups offer walking tours in different areas of the Park. They're always interesting and you get some exercise in as you walk around so win-win!
Plan it:
Check out the links below and see what tours are available for the dates you're looking at. The two I recommend are: Central Park Conservancy and Free Tours by Foot.
Central Park Conservancy Tours
The Conservancy maintains the Park and they are the trusted authorities on all things Central Park. The guides are friendly and exremely knowledgeable.
Keep in mind that the "Weekly Walks" are zoom calls, so not a great date. Make sure the tour you choose is not virtual.
Personally, I recommend the Iconic Views tour, the Heart of the Park tour, and the Ramble tour.
Conservancy Tours are $25 per person ($20 if you're a Conservancy member), they go for 90 minutes, and space is limited.
A few things you'll see on these tours:
Free Tours by Foot
Free Tours by Foot is a globally recognized tour company with a 5-star rating on Trip Advisor with 7,700+ reviews. They offer tons of tours in Central Park throughout all seasons. Some tours are fee based, but many are PWYW (Pay-What-You-Wish). You can join the tours for free and then you decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it's done.
They offer some tours that go up to 4 hours, but I recommend the Central Park (Lower Section) tour, which is 2 hours and covers many of the highlights of the Park.
A few things you might see, depending on which tour you choose:
Do it:
Reservations are required for both companies above, so once you have your reservation, just show up and walk hand-in-hand with your date as you learn about and experience Central Park.
7. Play games, ride the carousel
Cost: $6
Date time: 1-2 hours
Planning time: none
Plan it:
No planning required here. Just show up at the Chess and Checkers house, which is mid-Park at about 64th Street. You can use the [ā”ļøGo] button in the place card below to walk straight there.
Do it:
More than just chess and checkers, the Chess & Checkers house is packed with tons of board games and other fun activities. Take your date here and pick a new game you've never heard of, or ask the worker what their favorites are (they've played them all). Play a few games and have fun!
When you're done playing games, walk down the hill to the Carousel. Currently, it's $3 per person. It's always fun and memorable.
8. Visit the zoo
Cost: $40 total
Date time: 90 minutes
Planning time: 15 minutes
Most people walk through the center of the zoo and only see the sea lions because this part is free, but for $20 per person, you can go in and see so much more. There's also a children's zoo that is very interactive and fun.
Plan it:
Every guest needs a time-and date-specific ticket. You cannot buy tickets at the zoo. You MUST reserve them online in advance. All ticket sales are final.
Plan to spend 1 to 2 hours at the zoo, and if possible, make sure one of the sea lion feedings happens while you're there (and the penguin feeding, too, if possible). You can see the schedule by scrolling down on the page in this link:
Here's a map of the zoo that you can download.
Do it:
Enter from the south side of the zoo, next to the cafe and gift shop. Plan your route around the feeding schedules, because those are the most fun to watch.
If you want to have even more fun, I recommend going into the Tisch Children's zoo. You can feed baby animals, crawl through caves, and act like animals. Let your inner kid out and have a blast.
9. Watch Shakespeare in the Park
Cost: Free (or $600 for two seats)
Date time: 3 hours
Planning time: 2-6 hours, or a lot of luck
This is one of the most coveted experiences for any New Yorker. Notoriously difficult to get tickets, if you can bring a date to Shakespeare in the Park, it will leave a lasting impression.
Plan it:
The show is free. All tickets, no matter how or where you get them, are free. Not even a service charge. The problem is the Delacorte Theater only seats 1,800 people, and at least a hundred thousand people want to see the show. It gets even more difficult when the show is popular (Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet, etc.) or it features a well-known star. Past performances have incluced James Earl Jones, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Al Pacino, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington, just to name a few. Understandably, a lot of people jump at the opportunity to see an A-list star perform for free in a rather intimate setting.
Before we get into how to get tickets, in order to see a show, you need to register for a Public Theater Patron ID. It's free and only takes a minute, so do that now:
How to get your FREE tickets
There are a few ways to get tickets: stand in line at the Delecorte Theater in Central Park, win one of the ticket lotteries, or get lucky in the standby line.
Stand in line at the Delacorte Theater
Enter the Park at 81st Street on the West side.
Two tickets are handed out to every person in line at noon until seats run out. Central Park opens at 6am, and some people camp outside the Park to be first in line. For your best chance of getting tickets, go toward the beginning of the show's run, and get in line by 8am. Bring a chair and something to keep you busy for 4 hours. Tickets are handed out randomly, so being first in line does not equal front row seats.
You can also try your luck by showing up at 12:30pm. Sometimes they still have a few tickets left after they've given them to everyone in line, and you can just walk right up and get some. I've done this a few times when I just ran over during my lunch break.
Win a lottery
If you're a theater fan, you should have the TodayTix app downloaded already. This is where we get a lot of our discounted Broadway tickets. Just like many of the other digital lotteries that are hosted on the app, you can enter to win one or two free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park. Enter the lottery between midnight and noon on the day of the performance. If you're selected, you'll need to claim your tickets at the Delacorte Theater between 5:30 and 7:30pm.
Another lottery happens at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette St. at Astor Place). Be there in person between 11am and noon. The drawing is at noon. Again, you'll need to claim your actual tickets at the Delacorte Theater between 5:30 and 7:30pm.
Any unclaimed tickets by 7:30pm are distributed to the standby line.
Get standby tickets
Any tickets that haven't been claimed by 7:30pm get distributed to people waiting in a standby line. Some people stay in this line all the way from noon, when they didn't get a seat from this morning (for very popular shows). For a normal show at the beginning of the run, plan on being in the standby line by 4pm if you want to have a shot.
Make a hefty donation
The Public Theater is a nonprofit theater that really is an incredible organization. I highly recommend supporting them if you can. If you decide to support with a gift of $500 or more, you'll receive two reserved seats to Shakespeare in the Park, among other benefits and perks.
Do it:
Once you have tickets, the date is pretty straightforward. Enjoy the show!
10. Go skating in Wollman Rink
Cost: $15-$35 per person (depends on date), plus $10 per skate rental if necessary
Date time: 1 hour
Planning time: 10 minutes
I can't think of a more iconic and memorable experience in Central Park than ice skating in Wollman Rink. And if you or your date has seen the movie Serendipity, this is also one of the most romantic spots in the Park. š„°
I won't spoil the ending (that also happens here in Wollman Rink), but watch this scene from the beginning of the movie for reference:
Plan it:
You can either buy tickets online in advance or at the rink, but tickets do sell out, especially on holidays and weekends. Also keep in mind that everything in person is CASH ONLY. So I recommend booking it online ahead of time. Bring cash for snacks and hot chocolate if you want it. You can wear your own skates if you have some, or you can rent them online or at the rink. Prices vary by day, and they do have some discount dates:
Ice skating is available from the end of October through the beginning of March. If you're planning a date here in the summer, you can still go skating, but it'll be a vastly different experience. During the summer, the rink is a "DiscOasis" and you roller skate under disco balls to 70's tunes with a live DJ.
Do it:
Wollman Rink is located right about where 6th Ave and 63rd Street would intersect. I recommend entering at 5th Ave and 59th Street and taking a romantic walk up alongside the Pond, past the Gapstow Bridge. That will lead you straight into the rink.
There are no lockers at the rink (outside of the lockers people can rent for the whole season), so don't bring a lot of stuff. However, they do have a bag check for $5. No backpacks or large bags allowed on the ice. You can leave your shoes with the attendant - you'll get them back when you bring back your skates.
I hope you have fun on your dates!
If you want to plan a bunch of your own dates in Central Park, I recommend looking through my Ultimate Guide to Central Park for lots more ideas, activities, and things to see in Central Park:
Or go eat some cookies!