Central Park Experience: A Scenic & Historical Walking Tour

Whether you're a wide-eyed first-time explorer or a seasoned visitor to this iconic green oasis, prepare to unlock the park's captivating secrets and unravel the intricate tapestry of this urban masterpiece.

Immerse yourself in the splendor of Central Park's breathtaking scenery, uncover its hidden gems, delve into its rich history, and relive the visionary ambitions that birthed the very first large-scale public park in the United States. Join us on this unforgettable journey led by a New York City historian and Licensed Tour Guide with over two decades of expertise in the art of education and entertainment.

You'll traverse Central Park's enchanting landscape, beginning at 59th Street and venturing through a tapestry of wonders. Marvel at the serenity of the Pool, admire the grandeur of the Mall, stand in awe before the Bethesda Terrace, and bask in the presence of the Angel of the Waters statue. We'll saunter along the tranquil shores of the Lake, cross the iconic Bow Bridge, and explore the mystical beauty of the Ramble. Prepare to be enchanted by the Gothic Revival masterpiece that is Belvedere Castle, offering panoramic vistas of the famous Great Lawn.

But this tour is not just about the park; it's a voyage through time. Discover the pre-park history, where an African American and immigrant community thrived for thirty years before the park's creation.

Throughout our expedition, you'll be captivated as you:

• Unearth the park's secrets with a seasoned licensed tour guide and historian with an MA in American history

• Witness breathtaking vistas around every corner

• Stroll through the exquisite Bethesda Terrace and Arcade, marvel at the Angel of the Waters statue, and admire Jacob Wrey Mould's intricate stonecutting designs

• Explore the historic Dairy, a wooden Victorian gem surrounded by the charming Kinderberg

• Revel in the vast expanse of the fifteen-acre Sheep Meadow, once home to Southdown sheep

• Cross the elegant cast iron Bow Bridge, a star of countless classic films

• Escape the city's chaos as you wander through the serene Ramble, a mystical landscape like no other

• Stand before the awe-inspiring Belvedere Castle and savor unparalleled views of the renowned Great Lawn

• Stroll along the Mall, where majestic American Elms stand sentinel, and pay homage to "Women's Rights Pioneers" at a recent monument

• Dive into Central Park's captivating history, from Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux's visionary design to the ambitious fifteen-year construction

• Rediscover life before Central Park, including the remarkable African American and immigrant community known as Seneca Village... and so much more!

This tour is for first-time visitors and native New Yorkers alike. Rest assured, there’s much more to Central Park than meets the eye! Delights and surprises await you in the most famous and most visited urban park in the United States.

F ind more information at https://www.revolutionarytoursnyc.com/

The tour is conducted in the rain, snow or shine. Some locations may not be open or accessible depending on weather and/or park closings. No refunds, exchanges, or rescheduling within 24 hours of start of tour.

Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in. Please be on time. The tour will leave the meeting location 5 minutes after the start time and it is nearly impossible to catch up with the group once the tour starts. Text or call 917 475-6839 or email [email protected] if you are running late.

The tour is approximately 3 miles in distance and takes about 2.5 hours. You should be in good physical shape for the tour. There is uneven terrain, uneven stairs and potentially slippery areas when wet. It is important that you dress appropriately and wear suitable shoes.

The tour is approximately 3 miles in distance and takes about 2.5 hours. You should be in good physical shape for the tour. There is uneven terrain, uneven stairs and potentially slippery areas when wet. It is important that you dress appropriately and wear suitable shoes.

FAQs

Do I need to purchase tickets in advance or can I purchase walk-up tickets?

Please purchase your tickets online in advance. If you already purchased tickets and need to add people contact us at [email protected] or 917.475.6839 and we will try to accommodate you.

What is your Refund Policy?

We have a 48-hour refund policy for tickets purchased directly from this web site. Please contact us no later than 48 hours before the start time of the tour at [email protected]. If you do not cancel your tour within this time frame you will be held responsible for the total amount of your tour. A refund will be issued if we need to cancel a walking tour because of severe weather or a tour guide is ill and no substitute is available.

What is your Rescheduling Policy?

Tour tickets can be rescheduled with at least 48 hours before the tour start time at [email protected] with the following exceptions:

• In case of extreme weather in the forecast, we will contact you at the email address you provided when you booked to offer you rescheduling options. Otherwise, we conduct our tours rain, snow or shine. There are no refunds, exchanges, or rescheduling for rain or snow.
• If we have to cancel a tour.

Do you cancel your walking tours in the rain or snow?

All of our walking tours take place rain, snow or shine. We can still show you the sights of the tour—just bring an umbrella and dress appropriately. However, in cases of severe inclement weather (i.e. severe tropical storm, blizzard, etc.) we do reserve the right to cancel a tour. In these instances, we will notify you via the email provided at purchase and offer refunds and rescheduling options. There are no refunds, exchanges, or rescheduling for rain or snow.

Are there group size minimums and maximums?

We like to limit tours to approximately 15 adults to keep it intimate. As for minimums, we reserve the right to cancel a public tour if a minimum of 4 participants is not reached. In these cases, we will offer customers the option to reschedule. If there are no rescheduling options, we will offer full refunds for the tickets.

If I miss the walking tour I purchased, can I just show up for another one?

No, your ticket is only valid for the tour you selected at time of purchase (both date and time specific). This allows us to reserve your spot . There are no refunds, exchanges, or rescheduling if you are running late.

I live in New York. Will I appreciate the tours?

We’re proud to say that many of our participants have lived in New York for many years or were born in New York and are surprised to find how much they learn about neighborhoods they’ve passed through many times.

Do you offer private tours?

Yes, we offer tours customized for your group or occasion. Private tours are a great way to see exactly what interests you or your group and at the most convenient day and time. Fill out the form on the contact page and provide as much information as possible or call us at 917.475.6839.

Is the tour suitable for children?

We recommend our tours for children ages 10 and older. Please also consider a private tour if you would like a tour specially tailored for children.

How much will we walk and is it strenuous?

This walking tour is moderatly strenuous and moves at a moderate pace. There will be stairs in some locations plus walking on steep inclines, uneven ground, and rocks. Areas can be slippery when wet. Bring appropriate shoes and clothes for hiking. As for distance, we’ll cover about 3.5 miles on the 2.5-hour tour.

What clothing should I wear?

You should definitely wear shoes comfortable for walking (see above question). Check the forecast and wear suitable clothing for the weather.

Will there be a restroom stop?

Yes, there will be one restroom stop on our tour.

Are gratuities included in the walking tour price? Gratuities are not part of the tour fee, but if you enjoyed your time on the tour, gratuities are very much appreciated.

Where do we meet for the tour?

We will email you a confirmation and the precise meeting location right after you have purchased your tour. If you don’t see the confirmation please check your email spam folder/filter if you haven’t received the confirmation email within 15 minutes after your purchase.

What do I do if I am late?

The tour starts promptly at the designated time, so please try to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. If you are not at the meeting location at the start time, we will begin the tour and leave without you for the sake of the attendees who arrived on time. If you don’t find us, we will provide you with a contact number in the email in case an urgent matter prevented you from showing up on time but it is nearly impossible to catch up with the group once it departs.

Do I need to show a ticket at the start of the tour?

Yes, please either print the confirmation email or show the email on your mobile device to your tour leader.

Can I purchase a gift certificate?

Yes, tour gift certificates are available and can be purchased using the “Book Your Tour!” link on www.revolutionarytoursnyc.com.

Is my email address required to purchase tickets?

Yes, we require a valid email address to send you a purchase confirmation, instructions on where to meet at the beginning of the tour and alerts if there are any changes to the tour (i.e. cancellation because of weather, etc.). As per our privacy policy, we will not sell or rent your email to third parties.

Is there a contact number or email address to contact you with any questions?

You can email us at [email protected] or call us at 917.475.6839.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Grand Army Plaza, Grand Army Plaza, New York, United States