Nearly every NYC visitor heads to Central Park at some point, especially in summertime. If you’re one of them, use this list as a starting block for exploring the City’s favorite green space (though even if you do all these things, you’re still only scratching the surface). Check off those you’ve done, get out to try the ones you haven’t and let us know your favorites and what we missed.
Land a largemouth bass—but make sure to release it—in Harlem Meer. Fishing poles and bait are available at the nearby Charles A. Dana Discovery Center.
Hear a new band at SummerStage, or catch one of your favorites—plenty of world-famous acts perform at Rumsey Playfield.
Commune with Lennonites at Strawberry Fields’ Imagine Mosaic, which honors the Beatle who lived across the street in the Dakota Apartments.
Check the temperature up at Belvedere Castle. It’s the park’s official weather station—though you’ll really be ascending the stairs for the panoramas from the viewing deck up high. [Editor's note: Belvedere Castle will be closed the rest of 2018 for renovation and wil reopen sometime in 2019.]
Row your way around the Lake, or opt for a more relaxing gondola ride. Either way, you’ll get to explore the park’s largest natural body of water.
Yell “Free Bard” at Shakespeare in the Park. OK, don’t actually yell that; but do try to score free tickets for a star-studded Shakespearean play at the Delacorte Theater.
Play beach volleyball or croquet near Sheep Meadow. Bring a ball for the former and your own equipment for the latter.
Stop and smell the roses (and sage and catmint) at the Conservatory Garden. The blooms in the three European-style gardens that make up the Conservatory Garden change from season to season.
Spot a black-throated blue warbler in the Ramble—one of the prime bird-watching spots in the City.
Decipher hieroglyphics at Cleopatra’s Needle. This obelisk, a few thousand years old, made its way from Alexandria, Egypt, to Manhattan in the late 1800s.
Admire the Minton tiles at Bethesda Terrace Arcade. Made in England, these ceramic beauties would typically be used to cover floors; here, they line the ceiling.
Find the odd man out on the Literary Walk, as you stroll along the Mall. Hint: he’s still pretty famous but happens to have been an explorer rather than an author.
Lay out a blanket on the Great Lawn to hear the New York Philharmonic in a free summer concert—or just to lie in the sun.
Race model sailboats at Conservatory Water. If it makes you want to reread E. B. White’s Stuart Little, consider that a bonus.
Circle the Reservoir on foot (just make sure to do so counterclockwise). The running track that traces its rim is 1.58 miles; a bridle path just outside it is the tiniest bit longer.
Spin round and round on a century-old carousel. This one was made in 1908, installed at Coney Island until the 1940s and transplanted to Central Park in 1951.
Meet monarchs in the North Meadow Butterfly Gardens. Summer is a good time to see some before they begin their migration south for the winter.
Watch a puppet show at the Swedish Marionette Theatre.
Play on clay at the Tennis Center, and pretend that the French Open has relocated to Manhattan.
Picnic on the gentle slopes of Cherry Hill. Gaze across the calm lake to the towers of the San Remo apartments from your perch.
Skate the weekend away at the Roller Disco. DJs provide the soundtrack; you just need to show up to the Skate Circle north of Sheep’s Meadow, strap on skates and let the good times roll.
Huddle underneath a natural stone arch. There are around 40 bridges (and arches) in the park, most dating back to the early 1860s when the park was developed.
Swing, climb, crawl and slide your way through the park’s 21 playgrounds. The natural spaces of the Billy Johnson Playground and large climbing rocks in the Heckscher Playground are perennial favorites.
Walk through a humid rainforest in the Central Park Zoo. You’ll be looking high and low for lemurs and ibises.
Reenact scenes from books, movies and television at Tavern on the Green restaurant—or a number of other park filming locations.
Make a wish at Bethesda Fountain.