Free things to do in Central Park
Central Park on Budget – six free things to do in the warm months
We all love Central Park, but we’re also aware that it, like New York in general, can be a bit expensive. That is why we at Central Park Tours have decided to give you a guide for Central Park on a budget. We believe that this will be an excellent tool for your free time in summer when, hopefully, the current situation will be long forgotten. Check out our six of the best picks for free fun activities below!
A walk down the Mall
As simple as that! Stroll around, listen to the birds, and just enjoy your walk and the good weather. If you walk the full 0.25 miles, you’ll reach Bethesda Terrace. It gives you an amazing vista towards the lake and the fountain. The arcade underneath is a masterpiece with its tile ceiling and murals.
Pay the Belvedere a visit
The castle of Central Park, Belvedere is located at the highest point of the park. And this means that it provides a stunning view to most of the park, like the Turtle Pond, the Great Lawn and the Ramble. You can get a discovery kit from for exploring or birdwatching. Keep in mind, though, that the place is often crowded by royal subjects.
Strawberry Fields
A must for all Beatles fans, rock fans, and music fans in general. The memorial is dedicated to John Lennon, who was shot nearby (some even claim to have seen his ghost), and it is named after their beloved song. It is about 2.5 acre, with a big mosaic word ‘Imagine’. You can often find flowers and other gifts left as homage to the music genius.
Set sail with the Pumpkin Flotilla
A real macabre Halloween feast! You can listen to ghost stories, witness a demonic costume parade, and carve the flesh off a pumpkin. Then at twilight, a flotilla of ghost pumpkin ships will set sail in the Harlem Meer.
Rock on!
Central Park offers a rich schedule with free concerts, but the most important one is clearly the SummerStage. It is a lengthy event, usually throughout June to September. Its sole purpose is to celebrate music! And that is why you can see a very wide variety of genres. And it’s not only in Central Park, but rather all over New York. The events in Central Park usually take place on Rumsey Playfield.
Shakespeare in the Park
How cool can this be? Introduced by Joseph Papp in 1962, Public Theater offers to the guests of the park a free chance to see the masterpieces of William Shakespeare. They are usually running from May to August, in the Delacorte Theater. Throughout the years, some huge mainstream superstars have taken part in the plays like Meryl Streep, Al Pacino and Denzel Washington.
Just enjoy the park!
Central Park is 840 acres of green trees, blossoming flowers, picturesque meadows, narrow pathways, deep lakes, and singing birds. And it is all free for you to enjoy. Whether you to enjoy the cherry blossoms, relax under the sun on Sheep Meadow, see the statues, stroll through the European-styled Conservatory Garden, or just sit on a bench under the thick shadow – it’s all your choice!
