Ways to Enjoy Central Park at Night
For as long as you, probably, can remember, Central Park has been out of bounds at night. The rule was: “have your fun at daytime and leave by night”. Yes, it was a risky venture some time back, trying to explore the treasures of Central Park and night time. That was then, though. If you visit Central Park at night now, you will marvel at how it has bounced back to life in the dark. Those who ventured in the park at night at first say, you will be “lucky” to come across an outlaw. In other words, crime is largely a chapter in the past in the life of the park. Couples stroll in the park with abandon, under the lamp lights. You will also see cyclists, runners on exercise circuits, and carriage horses all over the place. So, sit still and explore the following secrets you will only savor best in the night at central park.
Note: Central Park is closed from 1.00 am until 6.00 am. So our evening and night activities can only be pursued up to around 12.30 am.
Things to Do In Central Park
The Central Park is a magnificent option to unwind. It is one of New York’s most treasured assets. Indeed, every human being needs time to bond with nature. What better place than a park with so many options. However, going to central park is one thing, while enjoying your trip to the park is another. If you wish to get the most from the recreational facility, you must plan the activities you will pursue. Central Park is a large place that can be confusing, not to mention intimidating too. This write up seeks to share a few useful tips that you could find handy to explore while you seek your recreational moments at Central Park in New York in the evening and night. You may not use all of them in one trip but you can choose what you wish t engage in every time you visit the park, whether alone, with family or with your peers and friends. On this occasion though, we, first, explore the things you can do at night in Central Park to spruce up your fun.
Do a horse and carriage ride: this is a great option for couples that are still dating. If you wish to surprise your spouse with beautiful flowers and chocolate in an unusual way, try the horse carriage ride in central park at night. This is a great evening and early night stunt that could earn you plenty of social points.
Ride a Bike: If horses and carriages aren’t your thing. Try riding a bike around the clean cycle tracks in the park. There is sufficient lighting all over the place. The advantage of riding a bike is that dating couples can do it together. Try cycling in the serene Central Park Environments of the park, especially at night. The quietness grants you a perfect setting to bond and ride in tandem. Riding a bike gives you a chance to break from the monotony of conversation. The great thing is that if you are at the park in good time, you will get rental bikes at unbeatable prices. Ride your way to the ultimate fun and serenity in the evening and night.
Set a Picnic Night at the Pool: A picnic is one of the oldest and best-guarded secrets of romance. For a picnic that will last long on your mind, find the pool located to the North West corner park. The pool is amazingly refreshing, with weeping willows and falls. Lay your picnic mat by the pool in the evening and early night and see the magic of nature seep into your being. If you are looking for rejuvenation, there is no better idea than trying a picnic by the pool in central park at night.
Walk Around: If you are a true nature lover, you probably know that there is no better way to savor the treasure and pleasure of nature than doing a nature walk. The essence of a nature walk is quietness and serenity. What better serenity can you get than pursuing the Central Park’s nature circuit at night when all the hustle and bustle of the park has resided and only people of like mind remain around. You can do the 6-mile Great Loop, or try a slightly shorter Upper Loop. If the two sound a little demanding for your legs, try the Bridle Path or go down the Lower Loop, which stretches a brief 1.7 miles only. The park is much safer at night, lately. Thanks to the dog-walkers all over, and, of course, the Park’s management, including NYPD security enhancement strategies within the park.
Watch and Listen to Jazz Music Makers: If you are at Central Park in the right season for the jazz festival, do not forget to try out the Great Jazz on the Hill. You will savor free performances of jazz music, fun, and swing dancing. The performances are great family shows that you can watch and enjoy with your family in the evening into the small of the night.
Check out a Concert: Central pack is a top choice for many performing troupes to stage their peak performances annually. If you are going to visit Central Park in the evening or early night, there is a host of shows to choose from. You have the Summer Stage concerts, the Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series, the New York Classical Theatre, Concerts in the Park, and more.
Catch Fish: Wait, the fish is not for eating! You will catch fish for fun and return them to their water habitat. The Harlem Meer offers you free fishing sessions. The Harlem Meer is situated right outside the Dana Discovery Center. Borrow rods for free; get baits and the fishing manual. The Discovery Centre is also open until reasonably late.
Try out the Urban Park Rangers family camping trip: The organizers of the family trip arrange for an all-night camping where you can enjoy the night scenes in the park, and go on safe nature walks as you spy on nighttime creatures.
Try out a manned Gondola or rented boat: boating at night presents a rare experience of calmness and quiet. You can stop and have a snack at the carryout cafe and savor the exotic tasting meals by the waterside or at the scenic restaurant.
View the night skyline from the Colombus Circle section: You will savor a stunning view of the south of Central Park from this viewpoint via the Wollman Rink. It also happens to be perfectly safe. Other than the evening and night activities, there are lots of other activities you could explore in the morning, day time, and early evening. Indeed, some of these activities are also possible at night before closure, at Central Park. If you are at the central park early, consider these
Start at the Southern Entrance on 5th Avenue or the 59th Avenue: Use the East Drive. Soon you will come to a point you may consider important to slow down and engage. This point is the popular Pond and Gapstow Bridge. This is the first most conspicuous body of water on the Southern part. The pond was designed by the city management authorities and receives water from the water supply program of New York City. The magic effect of water, even on the most stressed up brain is a marvel, even to psychologists. Hanging around the pond could just be what you need to help your body system return to its relaxed mode. Next to the pond is the Gapstow Bridge. It allows visitors a panoramic view across the city skyline. If you are photogenic, you had better carry your camera along. It is one of the best places to take photos in the park. And, well, if you have been toying with the idea of proposing to your partner, bring your ring along. The bridge has also proved to be a rare and interesting, if breathtaking, scene for you to finally let out the request to bag your girl and chart your way into marriage.
See the Central Park Zoo: Nature is never complete without animals around. Interestingly, you could find it worth noting that Central Park was never in the City’s original construction plan. It was an accident of nature. The zoo began as a result of the city residents increasingly leaving animal gifts at the park. Soon, the park was full of bears and birds of various species. The swans were particularly conspicuous. The increase in the number of animals forced the city authorities to devise a plan to contain the animals in one place, and also use them for recreational purposes. It is one of the few zoos that are owned by the public in the whole of the US. The zoo has undergone a few renovations in the past, including the one done in 1930 when the popular Sea Lion Pool built.
The Sea Lion Pool drew a lot of attention from locals and visitors from elsewhere. It was regarded a pacesetter, given the nature of its design. In its construction, it has been noted that the architect had studied the behavior of sea lions and tried to construct a pool that looked exactly like their natural habitat.
The Delacorte Clock: Remember to check out the Delacorte Clock as you leave the precincts of the zoo. The Clock also has a history. It is a donation from George Delacorte. It sports artificial animals moving in tandem with the notes of rhymes that the clock plays in half-hour intervals. There are many different rhymes that the clocks plays, some of which could even make you marvel and want to listen to for hours on end.
Check out the Dairy: he dairy is your next interesting stop with a promise of teaching you a few lessons in animal keeping designs in the early 19th century. The place was a functional Dairy when the park was opened to the public. The place is widely known as the Children’s District. The Dairy was added as a result of criticisms of the original park construction plan. It was claimed that the park lacked sufficient projects targeting children entertainment. So, other activities for children were also added. Dairy is a great place to take a break from the outdoor environment. The place was designed by a one Calvert Vaux. It once served the residents of New York with fresh milk. Later in the 50s, the dairy was run down and looked washed out and old. It was turned into a shed for maintenance. The Central Park Conservancy restored the dairy to an attractive look when it took over the management of the park in the late 70s. The Dairy became the first Centre for Visitors in the park.
Visit the Chess and Checker House: This place is a children-friendly stop. It was indeed, designed for children’s activities. It was the children’s mountain referred to as Kinderberg. It was the most spacious shelter for children, their parents, and guardians. The Chess and Checkers House was later built to replace the Kinderberg. The shaded section was added by the Conservancy. The place acquired its current name because visitors come with their chess and checkers games and play in the house. If you do not have your own set, you can borrow the same from the staff at the conservancy office. But checkers and chess are not the only games you can play there. You will find people enjoying their backgammon and dominoes too. So, put on your creativity cap and carry your favorite indoor game for more fun. The pleasure in stopping and enjoying your favorite indoor game here is that you have the privilege to steal glimpses of the scenic views down the hill, including the Wollman Rink. The same Rink has been featured in several best selling films such as “Serendipity”.
Parting Shot
The Central Park was created, at first, for the Manhattan populace. Sitting on an expansive 843-acre piece, it is a home to lakes, wildlife, meadows, woodlands, and much, much more. It long outgrew Manhattan and New York, in general. It is a place that over 40 million people love to visit every year. All these people cannot be wrong. There must be a good reason and an attraction that draws them there. It has over 21 playgrounds, an aspect that makes it an ideal destination for families and groups too. Central Park is open to locals and visitors alike. Whatever the time you want to have your fun, have your fun at Central Park.