New York City walking route: Central Park to Times Square

Explore 30 essential attractions across New York City, from Central Park and Times Square to the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and world-class museums including the Met, MoMA, and American Museum of Natural History. This comprehensive route covers iconic landmarks, cultural institutions, and neighborhoods that define the city's character.

Distance
136.1 km
Mode
route
Start
New York in 2024
End
Battery Park
Stops
30
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. New York in 2024
  2. Central Park — Urban oasis with gardens, lakes, and iconic landmarks
  3. Central Park Zoo — Zoo and carousel within Central Park
  4. Times Square — Heart of Manhattan with bright lights and giant billboards
  5. The High Line — Elevated urban park on former railway track in Meatpacking District
  6. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island — Colossal copper monument symbolizing American freedom, paired with immigration museum documenting millions of arrivals who shaped the nation.
  7. Statue of Liberty — Iconic monument on Liberty Island
  8. The Metropolitan Museum of Art — World's largest and most prestigious art museum
  9. Brooklyn Bridge — Iconic bridge offering views of Manhattan skyline and East River
  10. 9/11 Memorial and Museum — Memorial with reflecting pools at Twin Towers footprints
  11. American Museum of Natural History — Major natural history museum on Upper West Side
  12. Empire State Building — Iconic landmark with observation decks offering panoramic city views
  13. Museum of Modern Art — Influential modern art museum in Midtown Manhattan
  14. Grand Central Terminal — Architectural masterpiece and transportation hub
  15. Fifth Avenue — Iconic boulevard featuring world-class luxury shopping, historic architecture, and prestigious cultural institutions spanning the city's heart.
  16. Top of the Rock — Observation deck offering panoramic views of Manhattan's skyline, the Hudson River, and Central Park from the Rockefeller Center.
  17. Nightlife in the East Village — Vibrant neighborhood known for eclectic bars, live music venues, and energetic social scene attracting diverse crowds until dawn.
  18. New York Public Library — Architectural gem with iconic Rose Main Reading Room
  19. New York Chinatown
  20. Lower East Side — Historic neighborhood with eclectic culture and immigrant heritage
  21. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum — Museum housed on aircraft carrier USS Intrepid on Hudson River
  22. Chelsea Market — Food market in Meatpacking District
  23. Guggenheim Museum — Architectural masterpiece housing modern and contemporary art within a spiraling rotunda designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
  24. Washington Square Park — Iconic public space in Greenwich Village with famous arch
  25. New York Botanical Garden — 250-acre botanical garden in the Bronx
  26. Bow Bridge — Iconic bridge within Central Park
  27. Bethesda Terrace — Scenic terrace with architectural features in Central Park
  28. Wollman Rink — Ice skating rink in Central Park
  29. Hudson Yards — Development with views of Hudson River
  30. Battery Park — Ferry departure point for Liberty Island

Useful for your trip

Transport
Take a ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island to visit the Statue of Liberty, then continue to Ellis Island to explore the Immigration Museum.
Tip
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge starting from either the Manhattan or Brooklyn side. On the Brooklyn side, explore DUMBO neighborhood with cobblestone streets, art galleries, and visit Jane's Carousel and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Save money
Check out the TKTS booth in Times Square for discounted Broadway tickets, including same-day discounted tickets.
Tip
Rent a bike or take a leisurely stroll in Central Park to explore gardens, lakes, Bow Bridge, and Bethesda Terrace. In winter, go ice skating at Wollman Rink.
Timing
Plan to spend several hours at The Metropolitan Museum of Art to fully appreciate its vast collection spanning over five thousand years of art.
Tip
Visit the Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Center for stunning 360-degree views with three observation levels. It's less crowded than the Empire State Building.
Tip
Take the elevator to the 86th-floor observation deck at Empire State Building for panoramic views of Manhattan. For higher perspective, visit the 102nd-floor observatory. The building is especially magical at night.
Food
Explore The High Line park which is lined with food vendors and cafes for snacks or coffee breaks while enjoying stunning views of the city and Hudson River.
Tip
Take a guided tour of Grand Central Terminal to learn about its history and hidden secrets, including the Whispering Gallery near the Oyster Bar.
Food
Start your evening in the East Village with dinner at trendy restaurants, then visit bars for craft cocktails, or check out venues like the Bowery Ballroom or Mercury Lounge for live music.
Tip
Visit the New York Public Library's Rose Main Reading Room in Bryant Park. After exploring, relax in Bryant Park which offers seating, a carousel, and seasonal activities like ice skating in winter.
Timing
Plan to spend a few hours at the American Museum of Natural History exploring dinosaurs, fossils, the Hall of Ocean Life with giant blue whale model, and the Rose Center for Earth and Space.

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