Private NYC Central Park Horse Carriage Ride (Guided) Since 1965™

Why we recommend this tour

We recommend this private carriage ride for a relaxed, comprehensive exploration of Central Park's highlights, ideal for families with young children or couples seeking a romantic, guided experience without walking.

About this tour

This private, guided horse carriage tour offers a personalized journey through Central Park's most iconic landscapes and landmarks, led by an experienced driver-guide sharing historical insights and local stories. Since 1965, this classic experience has showcased the park's beauty, from the bustling Wollman Rink to the serene Bethesda Fountain. You'll see famous spots like the Literary Mall, Sheep Meadow, and the Balto Statue, with two dedicated photo stops at Bethesda Fountain and Cherry Hill, often recognized as the 'Friends Fountain.' Your guide provides context and points out hidden gems, making the ride both relaxing and informative.

Highlights

• A private, guided tour of Central Park's iconic sights
• See Wollman Rink, The Dairy, Literary Mall, and Sheep Meadow
• Pass by the historic Balto Statue and Bethesda Terrace
• Two dedicated photo stops at Bethesda Fountain and Cherry Hill
• Learn interesting facts and stories about Central Park's history
• Enjoy scenic views of The Lake, Boat Pond, and Tavern On The Green
• Experience a classic NYC tradition dating back to 1965

Who is this tour for?

• Couples seeking a romantic outing in NYC
• Families looking for a fun, relaxed park activity
• First-time visitors to Central Park wanting an overview
• Anyone preferring a guided tour without extensive walking
• Those interested in Central Park's history and landmarks

Insider tips

• Book your private ride in advance, especially during peak season or holidays, to secure your preferred time.
• Dress appropriately for the weather, as the carriage is open-air; bring layers or a blanket if it's chilly.
• Don't hesitate to ask your driver-guide questions; they are a wealth of local knowledge.
• Bring a fully charged camera or phone for the two photo stops and the scenic views along the way.
• Consider an early morning or late afternoon ride for less crowd congestion and beautiful light for photos.

What's included

• Entertaining and informative tour (driver's story about the park and its attractions)
• Treat for the horse
• Capacity max 4 adults or 5 passengers (3 adults and 2 kids under 12)
• All Fees and Taxes
• Driver will gladly take memorable pictures of your group
• Warm blankets in winter time

What's not included

• GRATUITY NOT INCLUDED. You can tip cash or card accepted. Thank you again!

Itinerary

1. 1

   Stop 1

   Wollman Rink is the largest public ice rink in NYC and also famous for scenes from movies such as Home Alone 2, Limitless, and Serendipity.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   Originally crafted in 1908, the current Carousel is one of the nation's largest merry-go-rounds, featuring 57 hand-carved horses and two decorative chariots.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   The 24 tables surrounding this rustic pagoda are blessed with ample shade, ideal for a checkers game any time of year.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   Back in time, one of the critical needs of children was for fresh milk. Unfortunately, a series of scandals and cholera outbreaks placed the dairy production of the city under a cloud of suspicion. To lift suspicion and fulfill the Dairy needs of the people, the city provided a place where families could find a ready supply of fresh milk when traveling to the park. Thus, the dairy was built. Today, the Dairy serves as a general visitor center and provides the public with information on the design of Central Park, current park events and programs.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   This quarter-mile promenade is flanked by towering American elm trees. A stroll along the Mall can be a transcendent experience, precisely what Olmsted and Vaux envisioned for the Park’s only formal promenade. The elegant path is surrounded by North America’s largest remaining stand of American elms, whose interlocking branches create a stained-glass effect as sunlight trickles to the ground.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   A heroic sled dog immortalized in bronze, Balto is a beloved fixture in the Park.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   A spacious outdoor entertainment venue just off the eastern edge of the Mall, Rumsey Playfield features all types of cultural delights—music, dance, spoken word, film.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   This ornamental pond was originally constructed in 1858 as a reflecting pool for a glass conservatory, but the plan for the structure was abandoned. Instead, in the tradition of Parisian parks, it became a playground for model boats—and, consequently, one of the Park’s most beloved children’s attractions.

9. 9

   Stop 9

   Loeb Boathouse is best known as the launch point for the rowboats dotting Central Park's iconic Lake. From Loeb Boathouse, visitors can also take a ride on an authentic Venetian gondola or enjoy a meal with a view at the Lakeside Restaurant. More casual fare can be found at the cafeteria-style Boathouse Express Cafe, where an inviting fireplace provides a cozy respite in winter.

10. 10

    Stop 10

    At 26 feet high and 96 feet in diameter, this fountain is one of the largest in the City. Created by sculptor Emma Stebbins, it commemorates the 1842 opening of the Croton Aqueduct, which brought fresh water from Westchester County into New York City and ended the cholera epidemic. Angel of the Waters—the City’s first major piece of public art commissioned from a woman—references the gospel of John, which describes an angel blessing the Pool of Bethesda and giving it healing powers. The lily in her left hand represents purity, and the four figures surrounding the pedestal below signify peace, health, purity, and temperance. The carriage will stop by the Bethesda Fountain, you will be able to have a short walk to the fountain and take pictures.

11. 11

    Stop 11

    The carriage will stop at the Cherry Hill (aka Friends Fountain) to have a short walk and take memorable pictures. Offering plenty of benches and shade, it is a popular spot to picnic, relax, and take in the views of rowboats and nearby Bow Bridge.

12. 12

    Stop 12

    Central Park designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux imagined the Lake as a place for ice skating in the winter—a pastime not available to New Yorkers at the time—and boating in the summer. On December 19, 1858, some 300 ice skaters took to the Lake at an unofficial “opening” of Central Park. The activity was an instant hit and soon skyrocketed in popularity; on Christmas morning the following year, nearly 8,000 skaters showed up. Though ice skating on the Lake is a thing of the past, the warm-weather tradition of rowboats and gondolas has endured for over 150 years.

13. 13

    Stop 13

    Sheep Meadow was by far the most expensive part of Central Park’s original construction. Transforming the rocky swampland into a lush lawn was not easy. To build it, designers blasted out rock and put in several feet of soil in its place. From 1864 to 1934, the meadow had a dedicated team of somewhat unusual caretakers: a flock of grazing pedigree sheep. The sheep tended the meadow during the day and spent their evenings in the Sheepfold, in what is now Tavern on the Green.

14. 14

    Stop 14

    Pinebank Arch is one of the five remaining original cast-iron bridges in Central Park. It looks over the bridle path 11 feet below, a peaceful and scenic sight. In the winter when the trees are bare, look instead for views of the grand midtown skyline. The bridge is also famous for the movie "Elf" was filmed.

15. 15

    Stop 15

    Columbus Circle is remarkable not only for its central monument but also for the subways beneath it and the collection of buildings clustered around it

16. 16

    Stop 16

    Heckscher Playground is not only the oldest playground in Central Park, it is also the largest at almost two acres. In addition to the typical park attractions, such as a variety of slides, swings, and seesaws, Heckscher Playground features both a water fixture and giant rocks for climbing.

17. 17

    Stop 17

    Famous Ghostbusters Building and Marshmallow man church

Frequently asked questions