Fun Things To Do In NYC’s Central Park During Winter | Central Park is fun regardless of the season and weather. Here, the winter is as enjoyable as any other time of the year. Relish ice skating, sledding or indulge in photography while walking across the snow-covered Gapstow Bridge, which offers perfect postcard snapshots. Become part of an annual winter festival and engage in a variety of ice-driven sports and activities. Top it off with a horse-drawn carriage ride and discover the magic of winter in New York.

Here is a list of fun things to do in Central Park during the winter:

Ice Skating

Head to Wollman Rink, in the southeast region of the park and enjoy the charms of ice skating with a breath-taking backdrop of NYC. Couples can make it a truly romantic outing while skating on the same location where famous movies like Love Story was filmed. The iconic Lasker Rink in the northern section of the park undergoes a magical wintery transformation from a swimming pool in summer months. This is another place to embrace the exhilaration of ice skating and is undoubtedly the most popular pastime in the park, loved by locals and tourists alike.

Ice Hockey

Play a classic game of pond hockey at Wolman Rink, where there is always an exciting game of ice hockey to catch for both spectators and players. Lasker offers two rinks, one for high school teams and the other for skaters of all ages and skill levels. Join in the fun of one of the many skating parties hosted here on a regular basis. There are skating lessons available for everyone.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

There’s no better way to see Central Park during the winter than in a horse-drawn carriage. You’ll be enchanted as you take in favorite sites blanketed in snow. Your rides will take you through some of the popular sites and places in the park and give the same feeling as central park bike tours often do. These rides are available all year-round but are especially delightful during the winter as you trot along white snowy hills, snuggled in a warm carriage, sipping hot cocoa.

Sledding

When six inches of snow falls, the slopes in Central Park are open for sledding! The steepest bank is Pilgrim Hill at 72nd and 5th Avenue. Cedar Hill, between 76th and 79th at 5th Ave. offers an upper level for thrill seekers and a lower portion for beginners. Bring your sleds, toboggans, flying saucers and courage, and experience sledding like never before.

Winter Festivals

Enjoy winter festivals and arctic activities in the heart of Manhattan. Be part of a free annual winter sports festival and indulge in a variety of sporting activities. Don’t wait for a snowfall as there is always plenty of fresh snow to let you enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding lessons.

A Walk Across Gapstow Bridge

There’s no place quite like the Gapstow Bridge to experience the magic of winter in NYC . This bridge lies at the south-eastern corner of the park and is the place to be after a snowstorm has blanketed the city and the pond at 59th Street has frozen over. Don’t forget your camera, because everywhere you turn there is a breath taking photo opportunity!

Plan your Central Park visit and squeeze the most out of your winter visit!