Go cross country skiing or snowshoe through Central Park’s wide-open wintry meadows or along the bridle path. Explore the Arthur Ross Pinetum, which features 17 different species of pine trees. Grab your sled and enjoy fresh snow on the slopes of Central Park. Borrow a Kit-Park for an adventure in select visitor centers and backpacks. Help the Conservancy keep the Park clean by volunteering with any of the many volunteer groups available on the Park’s website. The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is also open throughout the season. The Carousel is the fourth carousel to stand in the Park since it opened in 1871 and remains one of the largest carousels in the U.S. The Tisch Children’s Zoo is home to potbellied pigs, sheep, and the only cow in Manhattan. The Central Park Zoo is open year-round and features sea lions, penguins, seals, and snow leopards. The Park is filled with fascinating destinations and secrets. The best way to learn about the Park’s rich history is to take a tour. There are countless scenic routes to take through the Park. If you’re curious where to start (or where to end), self-guided walks are a great resource.
There are re-creations of the original 19th-century designs of the lake landings, which were removed in the 20th century and removed due to deterioration. In the 1860s, six boat landing structures were constructed along the shoreline of the Lake. The lake was filled with small structures to complement the surrounding scenery. In 2016, the five boat landings were rebuilt. The Lake is now filled with a variety of activities for children and adults to enjoy, including ice-skating, sledding, and a snowman building contest. It is open for sledding when there is at least six inches of snow cover on the ground and conditions permit. Looking to build on Sheep Meadow or another large lawn? Though many lawns are closed in the winter to let them rest, they are open when there are enough snow to protect the lawns.
There are two separate ice-skating rinks in Central Park: Wollman Rink, located in the southeast part of the park (typically open from October through March) and Lasker Rink in the north (closed for renovations until 2024). The Thanksgiving Day Parade begins alongside Central Park, on Central Park West at W. 77th Street. The Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla has been a cherished annual tradition for nearly 30 years. The Columbus Circle Holiday Market by UrbanSpace is well known for its festive and elegant presentation of holiday shopping. There are 2 other markets nearby to check out on your way home from the park as well. You can also join New Yorkers for a traditional viewing of the massive balloons being inflated the day before the parade. It’s the largest menorah in the world, standing 59th Street from 59th to 59th Avenue. It is usually a good time for a walk-up ride, so reserving online is highly recommended, don’t forget your binoculars and a camera! Check Bird Watching for details. It can be a romantic outing for couples, a fun activity for families and a great reason to get friends together on a brisk fall or winter day. You’ll be singing Autumn Leaves to the camera while you’re posing for pictures with the magnificent background of Central Park in the fall. The park is home to 235 species of birds, which can be seen on a three-hour bird watching tour led by guide Dr. Robert “Birding Bob” DeCandido on Friday and Saturday mornings. There is an ice skating rink on the Harlem Meer, where you can carve a pumpkin to float in the parade of pumpkins across the Manhattan Meer. It’s also a great place to enjoy the traditional Jewish music, latkes, and even a kosher food donuts, including donuts and a traditional Jewish dreidel. The New York City Marathon is one of the world’s largest marathons, and is held every year on the East Side of Manhattan. It starts at 9:30 a.m. and finishes at 10:30 p.m., with a finish time of 11:45 p.M. The Manhattan Bridge is a great spot to take in the views of the East River and the Hudson River, and the Statue of Liberty is just a few blocks away.
Winter in New York is brutal but beautiful. On a handful of magical days during the coldest months of the year, New York City’s iconic Central Park transforms into a snow white winter wonderland. We’re going to show you the very best places to visit and things to do throughout Central Park in Winter, so you can create a path around the world famous park on your own NYC snow day. Summer in Central Park means endless luscious deep emerald green colors (perfect for viewing from). Autumn is arguably the most beautiful time of year to visit Central Park with stunning Fall foliage orange and yellows. Winter is generally dull, stark and barren. But on those handful of special snow days, Central Park morphs into an unimaginably spectacular whitewashed adventure playground for kids and adults alike. You could easily spend 2 full days walking around every nook and cranny, under every arch and through every garden. The Mall is a popular pedestrian promenade lined with trees, benches and commemorative statues. Bethesda Terrace is likely to be the busiest place in all of Central Park on a Winter snow day, especially when there is a lot of snow on the ground. Bow Bridge is the most photogenic inside Central Park, especially on a frozen Lake Side. The Upper West Side is a great place to take a little walk on a wintery day. The Brooklyn Bridge is a good place to stop and take a few photos of the city from the top. You can expect dozens of couples to use the center arch as the top Central Park selfie spot to get a few extra shots of the bridge. The West Side offers a different take on the Bow Bridge, especially during the winter months when there are a few inches of ice on the surface. The East Side offers the best views of the East Side and the Hudson River from the West Side. It is also a great spot for couples to take wedding and engagement photos. The Central Park Conservatory is one of the most popular places in the park to visit in Winter and is a perfect spot to take pictures of the fountain and the cherry blossom blossoms.
Check our other posts on New York City winter and other snow wonderlands like Poconos, Catskills, Vermont and Niagra Falls within a day’s drive.
Ref:
20 Ways to Enjoy Winter in Central Park
Fun Fall and Winter Traditions
Central Park Winter Wonderland: 12 Best Places To Visit In The Snow
Central Park in Winter Guide | The Best Central Park Snow Day Spots
https://www.mommynearest.com/edition/nyc/article/10-ways-to-enjoy-winter-in-central-park-with-kids