Central Park Horse Carriage Tour: Bow Bridge & Strawberry Fields

What You Actually See From a Carriage in Central Park

You ride through Central Park in a horse-drawn carriage with an experienced driver who narrates the history and landmarks: Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, Balto Statue, and a dozen other stops. The pace is set by the horse, not a schedule, and the driver answers questions as you move. Infants and strollers are welcome, and it works for any fitness level.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Central Park Carouselpassing by
2. Balto Statuepassing by
3. Bow Bridgepassing by
4. Strawberry Fields3m
5. Columbus Circlepassing by

Central Park horse carriage tour

• Ride horse and carriage in Central Park
• Pass by Central Park Carousel
• Pass by Wollman Rink
• Pass by Chess & Checkers House
• Pass by Children’s District and Dairy
• Pass by Elm tree-lined promenade
• Pass by Balto Statue
• Pass by Rumsey Playfield
• Pass by Model Boat Pond
• Pass by Loeb Boathouse
• Pass by Angel of the Waters Fountain
• Pass by Cherry Hill Fountain
• Pass by Bow Bridge
• Pass by Daniel Webster monument
• Pass by Strawberry Fields memorial
• Pass by Tavern on the Green
• Pass by Sheep Meadow
• Pass by Pinebank Arch
• Pass by Columbus Circle

The experience

The horses are already moving when you settle into the seat: clip-clop on the pavement, the sound of Central Park carriage tours that's been happening the same way since the 1800s. Your driver knows the route by heart: past Columbus Circle where the Macy's parade turns every year, then into the park itself where the noise of the city drops away faster than you'd expect. The carriage passes the Central Park Carousel, which gets about 250,000 riders annually, and your driver will tell you it's been turning since 1871. That's the kind of detail that sticks with you, not just that it's old, but that it's been doing the exact same thing for over 150 years.

The route takes you to Bow Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in the park, and the driver will point out why: the arch frames the water and the trees in a way that makes every angle look like a postcard. Strawberry Fields comes next, the five-acre memorial to John Lennon near the West 72nd Street entrance. The Imagine mosaic is there, and people leave flowers and notes. Your driver knows the history: Lennon wrote the song "Strawberry Fields Forever" in 1967, and the memorial opened years after his death. It's a quiet stop, the kind where you understand why people come back. You'll also pass Balto Statue, the dog-sled team lead who became famous after racing vaccines across Alaska in 1925 during a diphtheria outbreak. The drivers are trained to handle the horses and know the park's stories, so they answer questions as you move through.

The whole experience is built around the pace of the horse, which is slower than a car but faster than walking. You see Wollman Rink if it's winter or fall, the Chess & Checkers House with its 24 game tables, the Bethesda Fountain with the Angel of the Waters sculpture. The Children's District, finished in 1872, was the first part of the park designed specifically for kids. Your driver will mention that playgrounds as we know them didn't exist before then. You pass Sheep Meadow, the wide elm-lined Mall that Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed as a formal promenade, and Pinebank Arch, the cast-iron bridge that spans the bridle path. It's not a rushed tour. It's a ride through the park where someone who knows it tells you what you're looking at.

The horses are well-cared-for and gentle. That's part of what makes the whole thing work. They're trained for this, and the drivers are skilled enough that you don't think about the mechanics. You just sit back and watch the park unfold. Infants can ride in a stroller or sit on an adult's lap, and the carriage works for all fitness levels because you're not walking. Service animals are allowed. It's the kind of tour that works for anniversaries, birthdays, or just a day when you want to see Central Park the way people saw it a century ago, from a carriage seat, at horse speed.

What’s included

Your ride includes a fully guided carriage tour with an experienced driver who knows the park's history and landmarks, stops at major attractions like Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, Balto Statue, and the Central Park Carousel, and commentary on the sites as you pass them. Infants and strollers are accommodated, and service animals are welcome.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day25 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 22:00

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by NYC Central Park Pedicab Tours

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to see Central Park's main landmarks without walking the whole park yourself. The carriage pace lets you cover more ground and hear the stories behind each stop. Plan for a leisurely ride. The horse sets the speed, which is part of what makes it feel different from a regular tour.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Are the horses treated well?

Yes. The company states that horses are treated with utmost care and respect, are well-trained, gentle, and reliable.

Can I bring a baby or small child?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants can sit on an adult's lap. The carriage is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What landmarks does the carriage pass?

The route includes the Central Park Carousel (operating since 1871), Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields (John Lennon memorial), Balto Statue, Wollman Rink, Chess & Checkers House, Bethesda Fountain, Sheep Meadow, and Pinebank Arch, among others.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the carriage.

Do the drivers provide commentary?

Yes. Drivers are experienced and knowledgeable about the history and landmarks of Central Park. They provide interesting commentary and answer questions along the way.

Is this suitable for special occasions?

Yes. The tour is offered for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and other celebrations, as well as for general sightseeing.

What's included in the tour?

The carriage ride with an experienced driver, fully guided commentary on park landmarks and history, and access to all stops on the route.