NYC Central Park Self-Guided Walking Tour

What your day looks like

Discover the sights and history of Central Park on a self-guided walking tour via an app on your phone. Enjoy some moments of peace and tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app that will function as your personal guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Begin your audio and GPS tour and make your first stop at the famous Central Park Zoo, home to everything from monkeys to pythons to penguins. You’ll also get a chance to see the whimsical Delacourte Clock. Then, continue on to the statue of Balto, and find out why a dog from Alaska has a statue in New York. After that, it’s on to the beautiful tree-lined Mall and Literary Walk. Hear the stories — and the controversies — behind all of the statues of famous literary and historical figures that line the walk. Arrive at the Naumburg Bandshell, where famous speakers, from Martin Luther King to Fidel Castro, have given speeches over the years. Then, step onto Bethesda Terrace, a wonder of Italianate architecture offering stupendous views of the park. It’s also been the filming site for plenty of major hits through the years, from Home Alone 2 to The Avengers. After, follow the route to the Hans Christian Andersen monument honoring the author of children’s classics like “The Little Mermaid.” The tour through the fantastical side of the park continues at the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, burnished to a shine from years of kids clambering all over it. Art lovers will adore the next stop: the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From there, pay a visit to the Jacky Kennedy Reservoir at the park’s heart. Stroll around this picturesque pool and learn to identify iconic buildings in New York’s skyline. Then, stop by the Great Lawn, which has featured superstars like Elton John and Bon Jovi and continues to be a major gathering place for folks looking to enjoy a little natural serenity. Later, see an actual castle and a Shakespearean garden before moving on to the Strawberry Fields memorial commemorating music legend John Lennon. And you can’t come to Central Park without visiting the famous Carousel, so you’ll stop there and hear about its history. Finally, exit the park at Columbus Circle, a major hub of the city not too far from where your tour began. The tour concludes here.