10 Best Summer Activities in Central Park

Central Park in New York City is the green heart of Manhattan. With an estimated attendance of 42 million visitors annually, Central Park offers plenty of activities year-round for all people. And if you’re visiting New York in the warmer months, your options for things to do expands exponentially. Here are the ten best warm activities in Central Park.

If you’re looking for activities in Central Park involving fitness, look no further than the Central Park running club, known as the New York Road Runners. This large club comprises athletes who meet every Tuesday and Thursday in Central Park around 6:30 a.m. The New York Road Runners’ sole mission is to inspire people through running, and the club welcomes all runners, from newbies to old pros. The best part is that all workouts are free. Simply show up at the boathouse on the aforementioned day and time to begin your running adventure.

Looking for a bit of history in Central Park? Head on over to Belvedere Castle. Built in 1869, Belvedere Castle embodies Gothic and Roman architecture. Climb the castle’s staircase to find sweeping views of the park and its many landmarks. Entrance to the castle is completely free; donations are always welcome. The castle is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays, and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the American Museum of Natural History comprises 45 permanent exhibition halls. The museum contains over 34 million specimens of animals, plants, minerals, fossils, rocks, and cultural artifacts. Founded in 1869, the AMNH averages around 5 million visitors annually. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; ticket prices are around $28 for non-residents.

Out of all the activities in Central Park, the Central Park Zoo is, without a doubt, the favorite stop for many kids. This 6.5-acre zoo houses all types of animals, from penguins to grizzly bears. Managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the zoo also offers children’s educational programs and summer camps to teach children the importance of conservation. Admission to the Central Park Zoo is $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children under 12.

Set sail on Conservatory Water in Central Park in your model yacht. Inspired by the model boat pond in Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, Conservatory Water was designed as a place for children and adults to experience the pleasure of boating. If you’re looking for competition, every year from March to November, the Central Park Model Yacht Club holds races at the pond on Saturday mornings. You don’t need to bring a boat to participate in this activity. Model boat rentals cost around $11 for 30 minutes and are available from March to November.

Every summer, Central Park hosts an outdoor cinema featuring movies with a New York theme. The Central Park Conservancy Film Festival began 16 years ago when it screened Annie Hall to a crowd of 200 people. Since then, the festival has only grown in size each year. The festival typically runs for a few days in August every year, with each movie starting around 6:30 p.m. Best of all? Admission is completely free.

The Central Park carousel is one of the most famous attractions in the park and is an absolute must-do for both children and adults alike. Climb aboard one of the carousel’s 57 colorful horses for a three-and-a-half-minute ride. The carousel is open daily (weather permitting) and costs only $3.25 per person per ride.

Noplace else in the world will you find such a high concentration of wealth and culture in a public park. Wedged between E. 79th and E. 84th Streets, the expansive MET is New York City’’s largest and most-visited museum. Its permanent exhibits span 5,000 years and comprise more than enough art to view in a day. Art aficionados revere the MET for its Egyptian collection — anyone can appreciate the reconstructed tomb of Perneb. You can find pieces particular to world religions, musical art, and rotating exhibits of iconic fashion at the Costume Institute. As a New York resident, you can gain admission to the MET on a pay-what-you-wish basis.

Tennis is a favorite pastime in New York City; Manhattan is dotted with clubs, the most accessible of which is Central Park Tennis Center. Located toward the north end of the park, this club offers lessons, programs, and summer camps, keeping its 30 courts busy from April through November (weather permitting). Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome, though lesson spots fill up quickly.

On the other side of the reservoir, The Great Lawn is divided into six softball fields; Central Park contains 26 total baseball and softball fields (the others are in North Meadow and the Heckscher Ballfields). Each spring, you can register as a team or free agent in the coed or men’s leagues at Central Park — leagues usually run from April to September.

For an urban park, Central Park contains many trees and woodland areas. You can explore 58 miles of hiking trails throughout the park. They have a surprising topographical variance — some rigorous inclines and unpaved terrain. The North Woods is probably the most peaceful area of Central Park, offering pedestrian paths, trails, and birdwatching. You can also find playgrounds and leashless areas for children and dogs.

Central Park is a beautiful place for New Yorkers and tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. During the warmer months, the park reaches its peak attendance and potential for activities. Whether relocating to New York City or just visiting, you can spend days exploring everything Central Park offers.

If you’re looking for more activities in Central Park, your local real estate agent would happily offer recommendations. The Asset Advisory Team is a surpassing group of Realtors who can help you learn the best ways to spend the day in Central Park. And if you love the park, why not move close by? Contact The Asset Advisory Team today.