Central Park After Dark Tour

Discover Central Park’s hidden gems at night. Join our unique tour from The Dakota to Tavern On The Green. Capture spellbinding photos and hear untold stories.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • The Dakota - Famous building. Site of John Lennon’s tragic death.
  • Strawberry Fields, John Lennon Memorial - The birthplace of the park’s ongoing revival. A place where the NYC community honors Lennon.
  • Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre - A Swedish farmhouse structure brought here in two pieces to celebrate the USA Centennial in 1876.
  • Shakespeare Garden - A unique, multi-level garden with colorful plants and flowers referenced in Shakespeare’s works. Mini quote plaques are scattered throughout the garden.
  • Belvedere Castle - A stone structure with a 1000-year-old architectural style, adding a gothic and mysterious vibe atop The Great Lawn.
  • The Ramble - Central Park’s lush woodland, known as the Ramble, spans 38 acres of winding pathways between 73rd and 78th streets. Frederick Law Olmsted described it as a “wild garden.” The Ramble’s maze of trails amidst abundant flora and fauna contrasts with the formality of nearby attractions like Bethesda Terrace. It’s a popular spot for bird-watching, with around 230 species to observe. Visitors can also see the Gill, a man-made stream running through the Ramble.
  • Bow Bridge - “The Romantic Landmark” – Cross Bow Bridge, Central Park’s most photographed and filmed cast-iron bridge, offering stunning views of the city skyline and the park’s serene foliage. Its Victorian charm and picturesque vistas make it an ideal spot for romance and leisurely strolls.
  • Bethesda Fountain - Meet The Angel of the Water. Truly the heart of the park.
  • Bethesda Terrace - “The Heart of Central Park” – Explore Bethesda Terrace, a grand two-tiered structure featuring the iconic Angel of Waters statue at Bethesda Fountain. With ornate carvings and breathtaking lake views, it offers a romantic and picturesque setting perfect for relaxation and photography.
  • Central Park’s Literary Walk - “The Walkway of American Elms” – Walk through the straight, tree-lined Mall, famous for its Quadruple Row of American Elm trees. This promenade is a hub for artists, musicians, and performers, embodying New York’s diverse cultural atmosphere.
  • Wollman Rink - NYC’s renowned ice skating rink and now a pickleball hotspot.
  • Gapstow Bridge - Historic bridge next to The Pond. Iconic photo opportunity.
  • The Dairy Visitor Center and Gift Shop - The Dairy, a Victorian cottage designed by Calvert Vaux and built between 1869 and 1871, is at the heart of the Children’s District. Originally, it provided fresh milk and snacks for children and their caregivers. Families enjoyed refreshments under the Dairy’s loggia (open-air porch) and cool breezes from the nearby pond. The large rolling lawn in front of the Dairy was a play area for children.

The Dairy became Central Park’s first visitor center in 1979 and was one of the first Conservancy restoration projects in the early 1980s. The building’s historic and colorful loggia, removed in the mid-20th century, was restored at that time.

  • Sheep Meadow - A favorite hangout for Manhattan locals. More concentrated NYC DNA can be found here than anywhere else in the world.
  • Tavern On the Green - A fantastic spot to end the tour at the outdoor bar of one of the world’s most iconic restaurants. At night, it lights up with multi-colored tapestries like no other place in the city.
What's Included
  • All fees and/or taxes
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic Beverages
Additional Information

There is no other tour of Central Park quite like this one. We begin at sunset at The Dakota, we end under the stars at Tavern On The Green. In between we’ll explore every well known and hidden gem points along the tour that you’ve never heard of or seen before. Leveraging every great angle for spellbinding nightime pics while touching every mysterious location, the park truly comes alive at night ! Including all of the history and urban legend anecdotes that never end, our story telling expressed through the prism of long time NYC residential eyes and life experiences delivers a unique NYC narrative that cannot be duplicated anywhere else !

Location
The Dakota
West 72nd Street
Meeting right in front of Dakota Security Guard Booth (off Central Park West)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(13 Ratings)
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1 star
Ashkanmar
Aug 22, 2024
Great tour, high quality, highly recommend - High quality tour, well-designed stops, and good education along the way. We were a group of local New Yorkers that wanted to learn more about Central Park. Patrick is great
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Droro2024
Aug 17, 2024
A whole new view of an old friend - I've been to central park many times in the past, but this tour was something special. Patrick, our guide, is both very knowledgeable and fun. We visited multiple spots we had never seen before and the sunset lighting was breathtaking. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephanie
Aug 13, 2024
Delightful! - How was the tour? I did not want it to end! What a delightful experience! The Park is enchanting at night and the colorful night sky with the backdrop of the skyline is gorgeous! Well done Patrick and company!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V8966qpdant
Jul 11, 2024
History and Laughs in Central Park - I have lived in NYC for years and always enjoyed Central Park, but after taking a tour this past week I will never see it the same. The tour guide Patrick is a life long New Yorker and at every turn he shared the history of the different spots in the park and he made us laugh the entire tour. It was an evening tour which made it even more interesting also. Would definitely recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G8931rijeffs
Jul 11, 2024
Sunset and beyond in Central Park - I took the walking tour on my last visit to NYC earlier this year. It was so much fun, I decided to take the After Dark walk on my latest trip to the city. This one was really special. It was small group, maybe 5-6 people and we met just before sunset. We were well into the park by the time the sunset and then the show was on. Central Park really shines after dark. The tour guide was fantastic and everyone was laughing and having a great time. This is truly an amazing way to see the city and get the local experience. Treat yourself to this one, you will not be disappointed. 5 stars all the way!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Angelo
Jul 10, 2024
Central Park Evenings - Since some of our favorite walking tours have been in the evening in other locations, like Charleston and Naples Italy, we were stoked at the idea of walking around the city after the crowds were gone and the sun was setting. Patrick and his wonderful tour did not let us down. We(work friends) had a blast and felt a connection to CP like never before. If you’re in and around the area of CP after hours add this to your list of must-do’s.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R1100utjohnf
Jul 10, 2024
Great day! - Great day bringing the kids to NYC for their first trip to Central Park. Our guide Patrick taught us a lot of history and managed to keep the kids engaged the whole tour! Being in the park at sunset was an amazing experience that we won’t forget.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Billyd750
Jul 10, 2024
Worth the money and more importantly worth your time. - I found the tour very informative and learned about the city I grew up in. The staff was more the enthusiastic in their tutorials and got a real sense appreciation of their job. Loved it !!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mateonyc
Jul 9, 2024
Perfect! - Lovely tour, couldn’t ask for more. Both informative and fun. We did the sunset tour and thought it was perfect. Thank you for a great visit!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Curious01817113566
Jul 8, 2024
Spectacular Tour - Loved it and it made a vacation even more enjoyable. Our tour guide Brad was a pleasure, very knowledgeable and extremely courteous.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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