One of the first landmarks to discover after entering Central Park's southeast corner, the robust Gapstow Bridge just so happens to be among the best spots for photography within the Park as well, along with Bethesda Fountain and the Belvedere Castle. Although not far off from several similar bridges, this one wins for the commanding and breathtaking views it offers, with natural scenery on one side and Manhattan's skyline on the other.

Originally wooden and cast-iron, though for the last hundred-plus years made of stone, the bridge itself may not be an architectural marvel but has a beautiful aesthetic presence to it. It's apparently also quite popular with locals, who come to watch the ducks in the pond and relax after work.

Located at the southeastern edge of Central Park, this ice rink offers a skating experience unlike any other. With its larger size compared to the Rockefeller Center rink, visitors can enjoy all-day skating sessions while immersing themselves in the enchanting surroundings of the park. The rink's picturesque setting has made it a popular filming location, appearing in movies like "Home Alone 2", "Serendipity", and "Love Story".

During the warmer months of spring and summer, the rink transforms into a vibrant venue, hosting a variety of exciting events and activities. From lively concerts to creative "sip and paint" classes, there's always something happening to keep visitors entertained. However, do anticipate larger crowds during the daytime, especially on weekends.

Featured in many Hollywood movies and TV shows, the Bethesda Terrace is one of the most easily recognizable landmarks of Central Park. It is a perfect place to unwind, watch street performers, enjoy music, or simply hang out and pass the time.

With its beautiful arcaded structure and carved limestone decorations, it stands as a fine example of 19th-century architecture, treating visitors to a lower and upper terrace surrounded by three staircases. This is all further highlighted by an attractive, large-scale fountain with the famous "Angel of the Water" statue on top and a beautifully tiled underpass, both of which are worth many pictures.

The "Angel of the Water" statue refers to "Healing the Paralytic", a story from the Gospel of John about an angel blessing the Pool of Bethesda, giving it healing powers.

In the end, it's a neat area to spend some time during visits to Central Park, particularly when the fountains are turned on and the trees in the area are in bloom or heavy with foliage. More often than not, you'll find people sitting on stone benches in the lower level to watch boats on the lake and get a glimpse of the high-rise buildings beyond.

While passing by Central Park, you must go through the Bow Bridge – a marvelous-looking relic from the mid-1800s that offers sweet views and picture opportunities, either on the bridge itself or from the edge of the Lake with the bridge in the background.

Long and low to the water, the walkway gives enough elevation to get a wide view of the park, as well as of the rowboats traveling below and the buildings of the Upper West Side skyline peeking from behind the trees.

Although exquisitely gorgeous in fall, there are few things more romantic than the Bow Bridge at any time of year. It has figured in countless romantic moments in the lives of couples from not only New York City but all over the world. Anyone who is even remotely familiar with American cinema from the past 50 years has seen it in at least a half dozen movies ("Great Expectations", "Leap of Faith", "When Harry Met Sally", "Night at the Museum", "Autumn in New York", "Highlander", etc.).

Tip:
In warm weather, rent a rowboat to paddle around the adjacent lake, or get a pic with the rowboats, bridge and San Remo building in the background. You can also have lunch/dinner at the elegant Loeb Boathouse nearby.

New York's version of Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty castle, this picturesque building seated on what locals call the Vista Rock. It is the area's second-highest natural elevation – lives up to its name ("beautiful view" in Italian), commanding spectacular views of Central Park and the city skyline. An architectural hybrid of Gothic and Romanesque styles, it was designed in the 1860s and recently renovated to serve as a visitor center and gift shop.

While the outdoor pavilion is a popular lookout, the best views are to be found two stories up at the top of a narrow winding staircase, climbing which does not cost any money. The span of view across the park's northern part is particularly stunning: a panorama of the Turtle Pond, with softball fields of the Great Lawn and skyscrapers on the other side of 5th Ave in the background.

Free family and community programs hosted at the castle include birding and other Central Park Conservancy discovery programs as well as a variety of history and natural history programs led by NYC Urban Park Rangers, including stargazing, astronomy, and wildlife-education events.

Not many tourists find this place! Roughly four acres of slightly hilly land, well landscaped with winding footpaths, sculptures, and plenty of blooms to enjoy, it's a pleasant environment for an afternoon stroll. Each of the garden's sections has flowers, plants, and trees that Shakespeare alluded to or named (mulberry, columbine, primrose, wormwood, and more). Hidden amongst these are brass plaques with corresponding quotes from Bard's plays.

You can tell the garden's value by the meticulous care Central Park employees take in making sure it is – and stays – gorgeous.

Partly on a slope, the site is adjacent to steps that in one direction lead to the unique pseudo-medieval Belvedere Castle and a fine view uptown over Turtle Pond. In a slightly different route is Delacorte Theater, famous for its outdoor stage and amphitheater that has hosted many plays by – you may have guessed – William Shakespeare. Nearby, you can also enjoy the cute Swedish Cottage which is used as a Marionette Theatre.

There are plenty of benches that blend with the natural scenery, so this is a great spot to take a break and mellow out if you've been walking through Central Park and need a sweet-smelling and quiet respite!

The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, located in NYC's Central Park, offers an enchanting experience for both children and adults. Originally built in Sweden in the late 19th century, the charming cottage was later gifted to the United States as a pavilion for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Following the exposition, it found its permanent home in Central Park in 1877.

The theater is renowned for its marionette performances, bringing classic fairy tales, beloved children's stories, and original productions to life on stage. The intricate handcrafted marionettes, operated by skilled puppeteers, captivate audiences with their fluid movements and vibrant personalities. The combination of imaginative storytelling, beautifully designed sets, and music creates an immersive theatrical experience that continues to delight generations of theatergoers.

Throughout the year, the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater presents a diverse repertoire of shows, offering something for everyone. Audiences can embark on magical adventures with characters like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, and many more beloved figures. The theater also stages original productions, showcasing the creativity and artistry of its talented puppeteers and production team.

In addition to its regular performances, the theater provides educational programming and workshops for children, fostering creativity, imagination, and an appreciation for the performing arts. These interactive experiences allow young audiences to engage with the marionettes and learn about the intricate art of puppetry.

Reservations are a must.

In the world's most famous park, there are several artificial lakes and ponds, but all small in size when compared to the magnificent billion-gallon Reservoir. The world's largest man-made lake back in the 1860s, it's visible from up high when flying over New York City, but you're better off seeing it from the ground while walking around – or, if you feel a bit more energetic, why not take a run?

A long-time favorite for sporty uptown residents, its raised 1.6-mile running track is a neat place to get 360-degree views of the skyline and, at night, the city lights twinkling in the distance.

Even when walks get long, they're certainly not strenuous due to the flat surface. Bikes aren't allowed on the path and foot traffic moves "one-way" counter-clockwise. The outside ring is better for runners, as it's much wider and less crowded.

The landscape north of the Reservoir, in the appropriately named North Woods, feels more like upstate New York than Manhattan. The 90-acre area contains the Loch, which is more like a walking path along a stream, and the Ravine, which conceals fairly dense wood along with five small waterfalls. It is a place where even seasoned New Yorkers can lose themselves.