Summer Guide
Welcome to your curated guide for summer in Central Park—packed with everything you need for a summer you won’t forget.
Sun-soaked afternoons, evening breezes, the energy of New York City softened by lush greenery—there’s a certain glow that settles over Central Park in the summer.
And with this official Summer Guide, you have all you need to explore the Park your way. From action-packed afternoons to leisurely visits, the Central Park Conservancy is here to help you take advantage of this special season in New York’s backyard.
Soak Up the Sun in Central Park
From secret gardens to sprawling lawns, Conservancy staff have rounded up some of our favorite places and pastimes for enjoying summer in Central Park. So break out the SPF and start exploring today!
—Anonymous“In the summer, my dad would take me to the traffic-free loops to learn to ride a bike. One morning, just past The Met, I heard him yell that he wasn't holding on—I was really doing it! That was just one of many times that Central Park gave me the backyard I never had while growing up in an apartment building.”
Go Adventuring with a Guide
See Central Park in a whole new way when you book a tour with an official Central Park Conservancy guide.
—Virginia“When I was a child, we used to come to New York City for a few days every summer. One of my favorite memories was the time my mother decided that she and I should go to Central Park to go rowing on the lake. I remember she lost an oar, but what really stuck with me was that there was this large, beautiful Park right in the City that even had a lake you could go out on. When I moved to the City after college, I was excited to be able to finally spend time in the wonderful Park whenever I wished. I still feel the same way 53 years later.”
Summer Essentials that Support Your Park
From picnic blankets to baseball hats and everything in between, the Central Park Conservancy Shop has all you need for the perfect summer day in the Park. And with every purchase, you give back to these beloved 843 acres—supporting the Conservancy’s daily care to keep them thriving for all to enjoy.
—Eleftheria“One day after visiting The Met, we stepped into the Park with fresh cups of juice. Sitting on a bench under the trees, listening to a young woman playing a violin with squirrels and birds hanging around us...this was a calming, precious moment I will always remember. A park in the heart of the world's metropolis—so genuine and relaxing.”
Your Summer Reading List
Kick back, relax, and sink into these fresh reads from the pages of the Central Park Conservancy magazine. Whether you’re stretched out on a bench or lounging in the grass, these stories bring the Park a little closer.
—KarenI remember sitting in Sheep Meadow watching Benny Goodman play the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic in the summer of 1967 or 1968. I was new to New York then and thought I'd landed in heaven. The Park is still my refuge and happy place.
Keep Central Park Blooming
Your tax-deductible donation to our Blooms program will plant beautiful flowers in Central Park, brightening the landscape and bringing joy to the millions who visit.