Central Park Path
 

Is there a path in Central Park going from the American Museum of Natural History to Belvedere Castle? If so, is it relatively easy to find? Also, about how long would it take to walk that distance? Thank you.

They are fairly close and there's not one path. There are many paths and they all wind and curve. You can't get lost. You will also see signs that say Belvedere Castle. If you feel like you're not sure, ask someone. People are happy to point you in the right direction.

Look at the map below. The transverse is for cars.

http://gonyc.about.com/od/maps/l/blcentralpark.htm

Oh about fifteen minutes.

Sorry for the multiple posts. Enter the park on the north side of 81st St. You will see the Diana Ross playground on your left. Keep walking in, keeping the transverse on your right. And actually, it might take ten minutes.

Thank you. I'm taking a group of 13 and 14 year olds to NYC this summer and we will have a couple of hours to try and see the highlights of the park. I thought we could start at the museum of natural history, then walk to Belvedere Castle, then to Strawberry Fields. From there I thought we could head to Bethesda Fountain, then down the mall past the jugglers and street performers to the Dairy and Carousel. Is this do-able? Also, am I leaving anything out? We really won't have time to go any farther north. I wasn't sure if they would enjoy seeing the conservatory water boats, the obelisk, Balto, etc. Any suggestions?

From Belvedere Castle you could do the obelisk, then walk south passing Conservatory Pond (the little sailboats), continue south to the 72nd St transverse, turn west to Bethesda Fountain. You could see what 'activities' (rappers, mimes, musicians, roller bladers, etc) are at that end of the Mall and near the bandshell and then continue west to Strawberry Fields. Keep in mind that it will very hot and humid in the summer and they should drink a lot to stay hydrated. Keep the schedule loose if they start to fade! There are places to buy drinks everywhere. From my experience, the quantity and quality of performers varies from day to day, but there are definitely more on the weekends. While heading west to Strawberry Fields, notice the area just west of and parallel to the north end of the Mall. Sometimes there are amazing roller bladers and roller skaters to watch. I think the Dairy wouldn't be especially interesting to teenagers.

Thank you so much. The only reason I mentioned the Dairy was because I read there was a gift shop there, and I thought some of the kids might want a Central Park souvenir. So you think they would enjoy seeing the Obelisk and boats on Conservatory Pond? I wasn't sure as I've never seen either one. In fact, the only part of the park I've ever been to is entering from the south at 6th Avenue, walked north past the Carousel to the Mall, then down the Mall to the fountain. That's how I knew about the jugglers/street performers. So I'm open to anything in the park you think teenagers would enjoy. Also, we're going the second week of June, so it might not be too overly hot yet.

Teenagers......it's impossible to know what they will like. But, while you're heading to Bethesda Fountain, I think it's nice to pass these places (emphasis on pass) and explain that they are really little treasures in the center of a large city. The obelisk is pretty unique unless they've been to Egypt - lol. They will like the performers most. So I hope the park is active during your visit.

When I go west from the bandshell to Strawberry Fields and pass the roller bladers and roller skaters will I actually be walking on the 72nd St traverse or will I be on a path? I was under the impression that the traverse roads went under the park.

72nd st is an exception. It's really not like a transverse because it's the northern most part of what is called the lower loop and it forks to Park Drive North. Most of the time it is closed to vehicular traffic, but even when it's open to cars, there are sidewalks and bike lanes. If you're on the tranverse walking west, Bethesda Fountain will be on your right (down steps), the bandshell and the Mall on your left. The area I'm thinking of will be on your left, parallel to the Mall, but just west of the Mall (It's just a bit south of the transverse). There aren't always skaters there, but when they are, some of them are pretty cool. As I said, sometimes there are a few skaters in front of the bandshell. It's just hit and miss on any given day. Will this be a week day or weekend?

This will be on a weekday ( Tuesday ). Thank you for the info on 72nd St. being an exception. It's great to talk with someone who knows the park so well.

I call it a transverse, but it's not listed as such on a map and there are no cross town buses that go on it now that I think about it. I hope you have a great time!

You might consider hiring a licensed NYC tour guide to do the tour for you so you can focus on keeping track of your kids.

thestarryeye.typepad.com/explorenyc