30 captivating pictures of Central Park in winter

“I may be a lifelong ‘downtowner,’ but Central Park really is the most amazing and the most beautiful part of New York City.” – Moby

“I love Central Park. I spend a lot of time in there. I try and get in there whenever I can.” – Lili Taylor

“My favorite place is Central Park because you never know what you’re going to find there. I also like that when I look out the windows of surrounding hotels, it’s seems like I’m looking out over a forest.” – Haley Joel Osment

I just want to go through Central Park and watch folks passing by. Spend the whole day watching people. I miss that.” – Barack Obama

Quotes via brainyquote.com

1

Wollman Ice Rink

Backdropped by the Plaza Hotel and skyscrapers, 3,000-sqft Wollman Rink has been open to the public since 1950.
Photo: Ada Be

2

Bethesda Fountain

Bethesda fountain and terrace is one of Central Park's most photographed and filmed areas. Both the statue and the promenade were original commissions created exclusively for the park, and the area, dating back to 1859, is one of the oldest as well.
Photo: A. Strakey

3

Evening

Many guidebooks advise avoiding Central Park after dark, but several areas are well-lit, and several organized events, such as photo walks or holiday shows, occur in the evenings.
Photo: Ralph Hockens

4

Speedy carriage

Though some locals might consider a carriage ride through Central Park to be cheesy, most visitors can admit it's very romantic.
Photo: A. Strakey

5

Hanging out

Not much is free in New York City, but entrance to Central Park is. This makes it a popular hangout spot even in winter, where, despite the cold, travelers can still admire nature in the park juxtaposed with Manhattan's skyscrapers.
Photo: angusgr

6

The Gates

Central Park has increased its inclusion of public art in recent years, but none have stood out as much as Christo and Jeanne-Claude's The Gates, which ran for two weeks in February of 2005. They were inspired by Japanese torii gates, a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
Photo: Aaron G Stock

7

Belvedere Castle

Provides one of the best views of Central Park; it's free to explore and climb to the top.
Photo: Charley Lhasa

8

Squirrel

Next to pigeons, squirrels are one of the largest wild animal populations in New York City.
Photo: Henrique Vicente

9

Dakota

Some parts of Central Park are so densely wooded it's easy to forget it exists within a city where over 8 million people live. Instead of mountains, there are buildings. Either way, it's something to look up to.
Photo: Adrian Miles ©

11

Dogs

There are an estimated 600,000 dogs residing throughout New York City. To accommodate that, Central Park provides 23 areas where New Yorkers can enjoy the outdoors with their pets.
Photo: Ralph Hockens

13

Snowmen and real men

City kids treat Central Park like their own backyard. With an area of 1.317 square miles, there's more than enough room to build a snowmen, igloos, and host epic snowball fights.
Photo: t_a_i_s

14

Sidewalk outside of the park

Central Park is enclosed by stone walls, from 59th Street to 110th Street, between Central Park West and 5th Ave. Opposite sides of the street house museums, art galleries, restaurants, and million-dollar apartment buildings coveted for their views.
Photo: Kelly Schott

16

Great Lawn

In the summertime, Central Park's Great Lawn is a sea of sunbathers, frisbee tossers, picnickers, and others enjoying 55 acres of carefully manicured grass. Winter is a less popular time to explore the field, but without the crowds it gives the illusion of going on for miles and miles.
Photo: Charley Lhasa

17

Blizzard of 2013

February's Nor'easter left some residents of the tri-state area with as much as three feet of snow. Blizzards don't close down the city of New York, however; sanitation crews are quick to shovel and unblock roadways and sidewalks so that business can continue as usual in the City That Never Sleeps.
Photo: Anthony Quintano

18

Frozen

During the colder months, New York City shivers at temperatures averaging in the low 20s and 30s (Fahrenheit). Several bodies of water throughout Central Park are prone to freezing.
Photo: fiat.luxury

19

Skyline

One of the best places in Central Park to get an unobstructed view of Manhattan's skyline is from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. It's one of the only areas of the park that connects the West Side with the East, and takes about 30 minutes to cross.
Photo: James Byrum

21

Skiing

Even within a city as large and modern as New York, locals find ways to connect with nature. Snowstorms provide cross-country skiers with untouched snow while regular park visitors stay tucked up indoors.
Photo: Ann Rafalko

23

Imagine

This memorial is dedicated to singer-songwriter John Lennon, who was shot across the street from Central Park outside his apartment building on December 8, 1980.
Photo: Glyn Lowe Photoworks, 2 Million Views, Thanks

24

Joggers

New Yorkers are known to be active, and even low temperatures won't keep some from their outdoor workout routines. With bicycle lanes and pedestrian-only walkways throughout, Central Park is one of the best places in the city to get fit.
Photo: smith_cl9

26

Rickshaws

New Yorkers get around the city all types of ways, including by other New Yorkers.
Photo: madlag

30

Exit here for Narnia

Photo: JohnRH4

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