We will be visiting NYC in May, staying in the UWS at 77th and Broadway. If we were to dine somewhere on the UES one evening, would it be unsafe for us to consider walking back through Central Park after dark to return to our hotel?

I'd suggest reserving your Central Park walking for daylight hours.

In the evening, you can catch a crosstown bus. Various routes cross Fifth Avenue and enter the Park at East 67th (M66), East 72nd (M72), East 79th (M79) and East 86th (M86) Streets. The M79 crosses Broadway closest to your destination, at West 79th Street. If you use other than the M79, you can transfer to the M104, which runs up and down Broadway.

It would be silly when you can easily take a public bus across the Park. Safe? In all likelihood it would be but it would also be deserted and you probably won't know your way. No one can guarantee your safety anywhere in the world. Why not stroll across before dinner and take a public bus back. NOTE - don't walk along the bus transverse roads, they are for cars and buses and taxis. Walking in the Park if you know where you are going would be a better idea.

Thanks for the bus info - we'll definitely do that.

The park around 77th Street isn't unsafe per se; I'd be much more concerned about getting lost! The paths were designed for strolling and there's nary a one that goes in a straight line from Point A to Point B.

Depending on the hour, there could be plenty of people in the park: for example, softball leagues will be in session by then, and games are held in various places throughout the park. However, games are called once the sun goes down! By 9:30 or 10pm, the park gets very quiet.

The bus suggestions are good, or it's a quick cab ride rather than wait what can be a long time for the bus.

The Park should be perfectly safe - assuming you don;t mean 3 am. But - the paths are winding and you might easily get confused and circle for a while. If you have a good map of the pedestrian paths (you don;t want the roads the crosstown buses used- they are below Park level, dark, dingy and not really safe to walk due to traffic) I would do it until about midnight.

Thanks for the bus info - we'll definitely do that.

I love when somebody knows good information when they get it
and says thank you for it.

HTTY

You're welcome, Hazel.

A little more bus info: You'll need a prepaid MetroCard to ride the bus. (One card can serve up to four people — up to four separate swipes by the first person.) If you need to transfer, just swipe again on the next bus; the Card will "know" you've very recently ridden and allow you to board without paying another fare.

Although a merchant or two near 77th and Broadway sell MetroCards, they may be difficult to find. The easiest way to buy a card is to visit the 79th and Broadway station of the subway and use the automated vending machine(s) there — credit cards accepted.

Actually - they can still do coins on the bus but a MetroCard is the way to go.

Likewise, even in the daytime you can get lost! You might think you are walking straight across the park, but you can very easily end up heading northward or southward, and take twice as long getting across to the UWS.

"After Dark" meaning what time? Past dark, which is daylight, or past day which is eve? Did you mean after daylight in the eve?
I dont suggest walking there past 9pm. Do not try to cross the park, take the bus.