Central Park Guide: Where to Relax on a Non-Matchday

After days of navigating the crowded subways, dodging tourists in Times Square, and screaming in the stands at MetLife Stadium, you will inevitably hit a wall of exhaustion. When you need a break from the concrete grid of Manhattan, there is only one place to go: Central Park. It is the greatest urban park in the world, an 843-acre masterpiece of landscape architecture that serves as the lungs of the city.

Navigating the Scale

Central Park is shockingly huge. It stretches for 51 blocks (over 2.5 miles) from 59th Street to 110th Street. You cannot see the entire park in a single afternoon on foot. The southern half of the park (below 72nd Street) is the most heavily manicured and tourist-dense, featuring the famous Bethesda Terrace, the Mall, and the Central Park Zoo. The northern half is more wild, rugged, and heavily utilized by local residents.

Best Ways to Experience the Park

• Rent a CitiBike:

  The main loop drive inside the park is entirely car-free. Renting a CitiBike (the city's public bike-share system) for an hour is the most efficient and enjoyable way to see the entire perimeter. Just be mindful of the steep hills in the northern section.

• The Great Lawn and Sheep Meadow:

  If you just want to rest, grab sandwiches from a local deli and head to Sheep Meadow. It is a massive, pristine expanse of grass offering jaw-dropping views of the Midtown skyscraper skyline. It is the perfect place for a summer picnic.

• The Ramble:

  Located right in the middle of the park, The Ramble is a dense, 38-acre woodland designed to look completely wild and natural. It is filled with twisting, confusing paths and beautiful streams. You will genuinely forget you are in the middle of the loudest city on earth.

Be careful of the pedicab drivers operating around the southern entrances of the park. They often charge exorbitant, predatory rates by the minute. Walking or biking is always the better option.