Secrets of Central Park, part 1 (in English)
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This is a group walking tour of Central Park with a focus on “secret” locations, objects and stories. I don’t expect to cover all of them but I chose the most important ones and gathered them in 2 routes. This is part 1 – South Central Park, from 59th street to the 80s.
We will walk almost half of the park up to the Reservoir. It will take approximately 2 hours. We will talk about a nature sanctuary in Central Park, the remains of lost structures, the planning of Manhattan streets, walk the paths where I think you’ve never been before.
Have American Indians really lived on the park territory? Irish and Afro-Americans? Is there anything to be found from those times? Are there still markers created for planned but nonexistent crossroads to be found in the park? How have the animals lived before the zoo was constructed? Weather station, spies bench, remains of the old Croton Reservoir will tell us little known stories from the life of Central Park.
The route is about 2.5 miles long. Sometimes we will walk not on paths or trails but on stone and grass. We won’t go up a lot but expect some ascents. This is an adventure, almost like a hike, in the format of a tour.
Interactive route map
Clickable
Want this same tour just for yourself?
Private 2 hour walking tour is $150 for you and up to 9 of your guests
Did you know?
Manhattan grid
Were there streets planned in place of the Park?
The Manhattan grid plan extended to 155th street and didn't include Central Park, so the future intersections were marked and markers had to be removed during park consturction.
Chess and Checkers
Can you play chess in the park?
In a place called Kinderberg or Children mountain you can borrow chess, checkers, board games and play for free inside or outside
Great Lawn
Have people really lived in Central Park?
There were whole villages here before the Park but even later in 1930s during the Depression people sometimes lived near and inside old drained reservoir, now the Great Lawn.
Slava Shpigel
Your guide
Licensed New York Guide, leading tours since 2012.
I have never appreciated history before I moved to New York in 2010. Maybe it was an immigrant thing – to study up on the new city and country – but it quickly fascinated me. Now 4 shelves of USA and New York history books and 10 years guiding experience behind me I more than ever want to share the stories I learned.
Any questions or comments?
Ask me anything!
- Language: English