What makes this tour special
A green haven in the heart of Manhattan, Central Park is a great place to escape the city. With plenty to see, and larger than Monaco and Vatican City combined, a tour of this bucolic space in the company of your private guide is not to be missed.
- Marvel at a 3000 thousand year old statue which shares a space with one of America's greatest founding fathers
- Visit Turtle Pond— home to Shakespeare Gardens, Belvedere Castle and Delacorte Theater.
- Take your turn amongst the children climbing on characters from Lewis Carroll's beloved Alice in Wonderland.
- Be transported into the iconic Central Park scene by Gapstow Bridge from the film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York City
The Great Lawn
Your guide will take you around the sights of the 55-acre Great Lawn, beginning with the Obelisk, the oldest man-made object standing freely in New York City. This was originally made for an Egyptian Pharaoh over 3000 years ago. While it stood next to its' sister obelisk for 2000 years, it was traded by the Egyptian Khedive in the late 19th century fund modernization efforts in Egypt. Whilst in the Great Lawn, you will hear tales of the concerts held here by artists from Simon and Garfunkel to Bon Jovi and see the statue of Alexander Hamilton, donated by his son in 1880.
Around Turtle Pond
Taking you around Turtle Pond – the sole remains of the former Croton Water System – your guide will give you the low-down on the reptiles who provided the name. After a brief pause outside the Delacorte Theater, an open-air setting where New Yorkers are able to watch free plays every summer, there will be a short stop in the Shakespeare Gardens. Intended to resemble the English countryside, this garden is built around flowers mentioned by The Bard. Next door is the highest spot in the park: Belvedere Castle. This 19th century folly is split between a meteorological station and a gift shop, but you will still be able to get some of the best views of Central Park from its ramparts.
Space for Fairytales and White Rabbits
On the south side of Cedar Hill— an undulating meadow popular where New Yorkers come to relax— lies Conservatory Water. Popular with model-boat sailors, it is also known for two famous statues nearby. The statue of Alice in Wonderland shows her among fellow fictional characters invented by the English author Lewis Carroll. From there it is not far to the statue of Hans Christian Andersen, where the Danish author is portrayed reading one of his stories.
Balto and Bridges
Venturing into the south of the park, you will say hello to the statue of Balto—a very special Alaskan dog. After he fought the Alaskan tundra to help indigenous communities threatened by a diphtheria epidemic, the husky became a legend of the radio age and New Yorkers contributed to a bronze sculpture of the brave canine. You will also see a body of water known simply as “The Pond”. Crossing it by Gapstow Bridge, where Kevin meets the pigeon lady in Home Alone 2, you will reach the border of Central Park and say goodbye to your guide.
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