110th to 59th

Central Park spans from 110th Street near Central Harlem to 59th Street by Midtown. Its winding roads and luscious foliage create a whole new world within New York City’s Manhattan borough. I walked ~7 miles from the top to the bottom in ~4 hours, doing my best to slow down and capture the details living within the park.

This photo story covers my experience while walking through Central Park. Please enjoy the journey as we walk through Central Park from 110th to 59th together. For the full gallery please click below.

Photos taken on Canon M50 Mark ii and edited in Lightroom Classic. August 14, 2026.

My walk began by stepping off the 2 train at the 110th Street - Malcolm X Plaza subway station. Verdant greenery surrounds the Harlem Meer at the northwestern corner. Some people fish, some walk leisurely, and some simply sit looking into the water. I have loved the few times I’ve visited the top of Central Park. It’s calm and quiet, and it inspires me to take time to slow down and enjoy the present moment. The first time I traveled to the northern region was for the Conservatory Garden — which might be one of my favorite spots in the park.

The Conservatory Garden is six acres of gorgeous flora. You could honestly spend an hour or so on its own just enjoying the space. My favorite flowers are lilies and, in coordination, water lilies. There is a darling little koi pond with water lilies tucked within the garden, and I probably spent about 10 minutes trying to get a shot of the birds in the bird bath. I would highly recommend visiting the garden if you can.

I did not have a detailed route planned for my walk. I knew there were a few stops here and there I wanted to make, but I mostly just traveled in the general direction I needed to go and stopped by anything I thought was interesting. Admittedly, I did get turned around a couple of times – notably near the tennis courts – but getting a little lost is just a part of the fun.

If I hadn’t spent about 15 minutes trying to figure out how to get around the tennis courts, I wouldn’t have come across a gorgeous section of bridges and hills. While it wasn’t the most exciting thing, Central Park is home to a number of intricate bridges, and walking up and down and then back around again – I was lost – provided a nice look into the lives of those visiting Central Park. Couples on benches, families walking along paths, stops along the way to take in the warm weather – moments like these remind you of the expansiveness of the world around you. 

The one-way path surrounding the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir welcomed runners, walkers, and me, doing my best to stay out of their way while photographing the lake. This is where the park started to feel busier – but not crowded. There was still a level of peace within the sound of shoes on the ground and conversation. It parallels the tops of buildings peeking through the trees.

Just south of the reservoir is The Great Lawn, and just like its name, it is in fact a great lawn. The grass was vibrant and provided the perfect canvas for people walking their dogs, working out, picnicking, tanning, and everything in between. Right to the south of the lawn is Turtle Pond and Belvedere Castle – a Gothic-style building that houses Central Park’s official weather station. As embarrassing as it is, I have gotten lost trying to find Belvedere Castle more than once. Granted, I probably wasn’t trying hard enough, BUT I finally found it, and while I didn’t go up to the observation deck, admiring its architectural beauty was enough for me.

Something I knew but also hadn’t really thought about too much was that Central Park has a lot of bodies of water. Southeast of Turtle Pond is the Conservatory Water. While I was walking, the Central Park Model Yacht Club – or at least I assume so – was out and about sailing their model boats. Ducks swam alongside the models and showcased the symbiotic relationship between nature and man-made infrastructure in the park.

You probably already know about the Bethesda Terrace – maybe visited or maybe watched Chuck and Blair from Gossip Girl get married there. It’s a famous landmark with a striking fountain at the center – which was under construction when I visited. But that didn’t stop people from boating in The Lake, taking photos on the terrace, and mingling with their friends and family. 

Next up was a stroll down East Dr toward the Central Park Zoo. This is where it started getting even busier. I found musicians on park benches, in the shade, and hidden under bridges. The music mixed with the chatter of socialization and created an ambiance of community. Everyone has a place where they live that holds the same energy. Meeting spaces – especially free ones – are vital to maintaining connection within your neighborhood or city or wherever. I probably don't utilize the ones near me enough – granted it is 115 degrees out right now – but I am trying to make more of an effort to find and spend time in those spaces. 

My – almost – final stop on my walk was the Central Park Zoo. It’s a small zoo located on the southeastern corner of the park. I won’t lie, while it was fun – I always love a zoo – I’m not sure it was worth the $22. I’d recommend spending the extra $6 and going to the Bronx Zoo instead. BUT for the location and the variety of animals, I enjoyed it. My opinion might’ve been a little different if it was less crowded, but I digress. 

Coming out of the zoo ended with all the beautiful things that make up Central Park: skyscrapers behind trees, small pockets of tranquility, and busy streets full of people. I am by no means an expert on Central Park or claiming to be a tour guide, but I hope you enjoyed it and maybe found a new spot you want to visit. There is still SO MUCH of the park I have yet to discover, and I am excited for when I can explore more :)