What to Do in Central Park During the World Cup

A complete guide to Central Park tours, attractions, and things to do during the FIFA World Cup 2026.

You came to New York for the matches at MetLife, and the hours around them are yours. A morning before an evening kickoff, an afternoon between matchdays, a full day while someone in your group is at the stadium. Central Park puts a guided tour, a yoga class, a picnic, a free concert, or a quiet lawn within a few blocks of each other, all of it a short ride from Midtown.

This is the full list of what you can do in the park during the World Cup, what it costs, when it runs, and how to book it. For a complete day built around these experiences, see the Central Park World Cup itinerary.

Choosing What to Do Around Your Match

The right pick comes down to how much time you've got, and what you feel like doing when you get there.

On timing: Your kickoff is the fixed point. Matchdays bring heavy traffic and long security lines at MetLife, and the trip out takes longer than most people expect, so build in a generous buffer and choose something that wraps up well before you need to leave the park. Our World Cup matchday guide breaks the timing down.

On mood: If a brutal matchday left you running on empty, lean toward the experiences that ask nothing of you. Settle into a pedicab and let someone else pedal, stretch out at a full-service picnic by the water, or take a horse and carriage ride at an easy clip. If you've got energy to burn, the bike tour, e-scooter tour, running tour, and the self-guided scavenger hunt all cover serious ground. Everything below is grouped by type so you can scan to whichever mood you're in.

A few practical things for any day in the park: Wear comfortable shoes, since the distances between landmarks add up, bring water and stay hydrated, and keep sun protection on hand. Some days can run hot, especially out on the open lawns.

Guided Tours

Our guided tours cover the park by bike, e-scooter, pedicab, on foot, on a run, or by horse and carriage, each led by a licensed guide. All run in English, with other languages like Spanish, French, Turkish, Dutch, and Portuguese available on select tours and dates. Free rescheduling available with 24 hours notice.

Bike Tour

2 hours | $49 adult / $35 child | Small groups (max 15)

See more of Central Park with a guided bike ride that lets you cover the park comfortably without worrying about navigation. Your guide sets the pace, shares the stories behind the park, and stops along the way for photos.

Families can add child seats, trailers, or tag-along attachments at checkout. Private options available. Available in English, with Spanish, French, and Dutch by advance request.

Book the bike tour

E-Scooter Tour

About 2 hours | $79 per person | Ages 16+

Cover more of Central Park without the effort of biking or walking the full distance. An electric-scooter tour lets you glide through the park with a guide leading the way, stopping for photos and sharing stories along the route.

Tours include the scooter, helmet, lock, and map. Riders must be 16 or older, per New York law. Available in English, with Spanish, French, and Dutch by advance request. 

Book the e-scooter tour

Pedicab Tour

1–2 hours | $150–$250 per pedicab | Up to 2 adults + children

Sit back and let your driver handle the ride while you enjoy the scenery. A fully guided pedicab tour takes you through the park with narration along the way, photo stops, and stories about the places you pass, including famous film locations and hidden details you might miss on your own.

Available in English, with Spanish, French, and Dutch by advance request.

Book a pedicab tour

Walking Tour

2 hours | $35 adult / $19 child | Small groups (max 15)

Slow down and explore the park on foot. This two-hour guided walking tour is ideal for visitors who want the stories behind Central Park, from its design and history to the details you might miss while passing through on your own.

Private options available. Available in English, with Spanish, French, and Dutch by advance request.

Book the walking tour

Running Tour

1 hour | $49 per person | 4.6 miles

Start your day with a guided run through Central Park’s paths and scenic routes. This moderate-paced 4.6-mile experience is designed for active visitors who want to see the park while they move, with a guide setting the pace and sharing highlights along the way.

The early start is the advantage: runs begin at 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM, so you can finish before the summer heat builds and still have the full day ahead.

Book the running tour

Horse and Carriage Tour

25–60 minutes | From $120 per carriage | Up to 4 passengers

For a slower, more classic way to see Central Park, settle into a horse-drawn carriage ride and let your driver handle the route. It’s the easiest option for taking in the scenery without walking long distances, with time to relax and enjoy the ride.

Choose between the Central Park Ride, focused on the park itself, or the Park and City Ride, which extends beyond the park to nearby NYC sights.

Available in English and Turkish, with Spanish on 24 hours notice and French and Portuguese on request.

Book a horse and carriage ride

Wellness Activities

Yoga in the Park

1 hour | $24 drop-in | 3-class pack $60 | 10-class pack $160 | all levels welcome

An open-air yoga class on the grass at Sheep Meadow, an hour for all levels. The class caps at 19 and sells out, so book ahead when possible. You can cancel up to an hour before for credit.

Book the yoga class

Morning Wellness Walk

90 minutes | $49 per person | 2 miles | all levels welcome

Start your day with a guided morning walk through Central Park that combines gentle movement, yoga-inspired stretches, and mindfulness stops along the route. No mat or experience is needed, just comfortable clothes and a willingness to slow down.

The 8:00 AM start makes it a great fit before an afternoon or evening match, especially if you are adjusting to jet lag or recovering from a long travel day.

Book the wellness walk

Picnics in the Park

A picnic in the park can be as simple as something you grab on your way in, or as elevated as a full spread set up and waiting for you by the water.

Grab-and-Go Picnic Bags

Pre-ordered picnic bags you pick up one block from the park at West 100th Street, right by the Pool, on your way in. Order ahead, they sell out:

  • Classic ($38, serves 2): cheeses, cured meats, baguette, olives, and cookies
  • Deluxe ($100, serves 2): more cheese and meat, pâté, fresh fruit, and a blanket with cutlery and plates
  • Family ($175, serves 4): baguettinis, salad, fruit, chips, lemonade, cookies, brownies, and a family blanket
  • American ($19) and Kids ($14): single-serve bags, so one adult and a child can each grab their own

Order a grab-and-go picnic

Full-Service Picnic Experiences

A waterside picnic near the Pool, set up and cleaned up for you, with nothing to carry or plan. The Gold Picnic runs two hours and starts at $375 for two, with signature sandwiches, a cheese platter, salad, dessert, and drinks. The Brunch Picnic ($415 for two) swaps in pastries, bagels and lox, fruit, and a sparkling toast. Both add $50 per additional guest, and larger group and corporate setups go up from there.

For a matchday that wore you out, this takes every food and logistics decision off your plate.

Book a full-service picnic

Family Stops and Attractions

These are easy, self-contained stops inside Central Park. No booking, no tour schedule, just drop in when you’re nearby. Most work best as quick pauses rather than full destinations, which makes them ideal for breaking up a walk or layering into a bigger day.

Central Park Carousel

Location: Mid-Park at 65th Street

One of the largest historic carousels in the country, featuring 57 hand-carved horses in continuous motion. It’s a simple, nostalgic 3.5-minute ride that works well as a reset point in the middle of a longer park loop.

$4 per ride • cash only • open daily to dusk • weather permitting • walk-up

Visit the Carousel

Conservatory Water, Model Sailboats, Storytelling, and Café

Location: East Side between 72nd and 75th Streets

A quiet, open pond framed by the Alice in Wonderland and Hans Christian Andersen statues. It’s one of the most atmospheric corners of the park, especially when the model sailboats are out. 

The Kerbs Boathouse café at the water's edge, run by Le Pain Quotidien, has snacks and drinks on a patio overlooking the pond. Rent a mini sailboat at $17 for 30 minutes.

On Saturday mornings the space shifts into something even more special, with CPMYC model yacht races from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and free storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen statue at 11:00 AM.

Visit Conservatory Water

Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre

Location: West Side at 79th Street

A small, historic 1876 cottage that hosts traditional marionette performances for younger audiences. The shows are intimate, old-fashioned, and designed for kids roughly ages 3–8. It’s a short, contained experience, perfect as a mid-day stop.

$10 adults • $7 children • advance booking required • weekends only

Book marionette tickets

Central Park Zoo

A compact, walkable zoo located at 64th Street and 5th Avenue, with a mix of Arctic, rainforest, and small primate habitats. Despite its size, it’s one of the most concentrated wildlife experiences in the city.

Daily sea lion feedings at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM are worth planning around.

$22.95 adults • $18.95 seniors • $16.95 children • Free under 3

Visit the Central Park Zoo

More Activities

Scavenger Hunt

A self-guided smartphone experience that turns Central Park into a choose-your-own adventure. The full route takes about 2.5 miles and roughly three hours, with two starting points depending on how you enter the park.

One route begins at Columbus Circle and moves through the lower park, and the other starts near the Dakota and winds through the central sections. Start anytime and move at your own pace, solo or in small groups (2–5 people).

3 hours • ~2.5 miles • $49 (2-5 people) • Self-guided • Mobile-based

Book a scavenger hunt and use code CENTRALPARK for 10% off.

Pickleball at Wollman Rink

Location: East Side at 63rd Street

A seasonal transformation of the iconic Wollman Rink into a 14-court pickleball setup, it's one of the most active, social energy points in Central Park right now.

Off-peak pricing starts at $10 per player, with peak hours at $15. Community sessions are $5 and include paddle rentals, making this one of the most accessible ways to play in the park.

$10-15 per player • 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM • CityPickle

Reserve a pickleball court

Free Programming

Many of the Central Park experiences worth seeking out won't cost you anything. From iconic landmarks and quiet paths to open lawns and family-friendly stops, the park offers endless reasons to wander. In summer, it also becomes a stage for free outdoor concerts throughout the park.

SummerStage Festival

Location: Rumsey Playfield, mid-park near 72nd Street

Central Park's free outdoor concert series takes over Rumsey Playfield all summer, with most nights free and a handful of ticketed benefit shows mixed in. The range runs wide, indie headliners, jazz, global acts, opera, and the lawn fills early on the big nights. Doors open about an hour before each set.

Free SummerStage shows during the World Cup:

Ticketed benefit shows in the same stretch: Martinez Brothers (June 13), Goose (June 21), Dreamland Pride with Purple Disco Machine and Kungs (June 28), Odd Mob (July 3), Nora En Pure (July 10), and Anjunadeep Open Air (July 18).

Lineups change as the season fills in, so check the SummerStage schedule for the latest before planning a night around a show.

Other Free Concerts and Performances

Naumburg Orchestral Concerts: Free classical music on select Tuesdays at the Bandshell, south end of the Mall. Concerts on June 23, July 7, and July 21. First-come seating, arrive by 7:30 PM.

Harlem Meer Performance Festival: Free Sunday afternoon performances of Afro, Latin, world, jazz, and gospel music at the Dana Discovery Center, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The World Cup-window date is July 14. No show on July 19.

Free Shakespeare in the Park: A bilingual Romeo and Juliet at the Delacorte Theater, performed in Spanish and English, through June 28. Free, by noon standby line or the TodayTix lottery.

NY Classical Theatre: A free, walking production of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar at West 103rd Street and Central Park West, through June 21. Performances at 7:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday, with the audience following the actors from scene to scene.

Other Free Programming

FIFA Arena: A free, small-sided soccer pitch near Tavern on the Green, runs June 10 to July 18. Open to all ages and skill levels. Open play, drop-in between 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with no registration or fee.

Wimbledon Court at Wollman Rink: From June 26 to 29, Wimbledon transforms Wollman Rink into a full grass tennis court, with free clinics, strawberries and cream, and giant screens showing the start of the Championships. June 27 through 29 are open to visit with no ticket, subject to capacity.

CPDSA Skate Circle: Free roller dance with live DJs near the Bandshell, most Saturdays and Sundays from 2:45 PM to 6:45 PM.

Central Park Tango: Outdoor tango at the Shakespeare statue, Saturdays from 6:00 PM, with a free beginner lesson around 7:00 PM. One of the few things still going after an evening match.

Wollman Rink Overlook: Free movie nights, concerts, dance sessions, and family programming near 59th Street on a rotating schedule, with films most Thursdays at dusk. Check the schedule against your dates.

Gottesman Pool: A free public pool at the Davis Center near the Harlem Meer, open daily 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM with a cleaning break from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Open for the season from June 27. No reservation needed. Bring a lock for the lockers.

Catch-and-Release Fishing at the Harlem Meer: Visitors age 5-15 can borrow a bamboo pole for free at the Dana Discovery Center, Fridays through Sundays, 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Picture ID required.

Dance Is Life: A free Latin Hustle dance party at the Naumburg Bandshell, July 20 from 5:00 PM to sundown. All ages, all levels, the night after the Final.

Free Attractions to Visit Anytime

Central Park is free to enter and open from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM every day. These are the spots worth seeking out, grouped by what you're in the mood for.

Famous Landmarks

  • Bethesda Fountain and Terrace: the Angel of the Waters over the Lake, mid-park at 72nd Street, with musicians under the tiled arcade most afternoons
  • Strawberry Fields: the Imagine mosaic under elm shade, west side at 72nd Street
  • Belvedere Castle: one of the park's highest points, with panoramic views over Turtle Pond and the Great Lawn
  • Bow Bridge: the cast-iron bridge across the Lake, one of the most photographed spots in the park
  • Gapstow Bridge: the stone bridge over the Pond with the Plaza and the skyline behind it
  • The Mall and Literary Walk: the cathedral of American elms, the park's one straight formal promenade

Open Lawns and Gardens

  • Sheep Meadow: a 15-acre open lawn a five-minute walk east of FIFA Arena, good for a blanket or a pickup soccer game
  • Great Lawn: 55 acres of open green mid-park, and the site of the free World Cup Final watch party on July 19. Entry is free but requires a lottery ticket, with doors at 12:00 PM before the 3:00 PM kickoff.
  • North Meadow: wide playing fields and open space at the park's center, quieter than the southern lawns
  • Cherry Hill: a shaded rise with views over the Lake and Bow Bridge
  • Conservatory Garden: the park's six-acre formal garden, a quiet, planted retreat on the east side at 105th Street

Quiet Escapes

  • The Ramble: 36 acres of woodland between 73rd and 79th Streets, the quietest part of the park and the place to lose the crowds
  • North Woods: wooded trails, a stream, and waterfalls at the park's north end, the wildest stretch of Central Park
  • Hallett Nature Sanctuary: a four-acre bird preserve just inside the southeast corner, open limited hours, no dogs or strollers
  • The Lake: the park's largest body of water, where you can rent a rowboat at the Boathouse and take it out past Bow Bridge yourself
  • Wagner Cove: a small, secluded inlet on the Lake's western edge, tucked away and easy to miss

Water and Views

  • The Reservoir: a 1.58-mile running path around open water, with skyline views in every direction
  • Harlem Meer: an 11-acre lake at the park's northeast corner, calm and rarely crowded
  • Turtle Pond: below Belvedere Castle, full of turtles and birds, with a small viewing dock
  • The Pool: a willow-lined stretch of water on the west side near 100th Street, one of the prettiest quiet corners in the park
  • Waterfalls: the man-made cascades along the stream in the North Woods, worth the walk to the top of the park

Especially for Kids

  • Balto: the bronze sled-dog statue kids climb on, near the zoo at 67th Street
  • Alice in Wonderland: the bronze Alice and friends by Conservatory Water, made for climbing
  • Heckscher Playground: the park's largest playground, near the southwest corner
  • Adventure Playground: a stone sand fortress and a water feature at West 67th Street, the closest playground to FIFA Arena
  • Safari Playground: hippo sculptures, tree houses, and water spray features at West 91st Street

See all Central Park attractions · See all playgrounds

Plan a Full Day

If you'd rather follow a structured plan than pick one thing, our Central Park World Cup itinerary lays out three full days, an active one, a slower one, and a family version, start to finish. And if you're building a day without a stadium ticket, the no-ticket World Cup guide puts the park's free events and the city's fan zones together into one plan.

This guide is part of our complete Central Park World Cup guide, with everything to see, do, and book during the World Cup.