Central Park Horse Carriage Tour: Private Ride Since 1970

Clip-clop through Central Park without planning the route yourself

A private horse-drawn carriage tour of Central Park in New York City, where a live English-speaking guide shares the park's history and points out landmarks, bridges, fountains and famous movie locations as you ride. The tour includes blankets, a photo stop, and fits up to five people (three adults and two children under 12). Choose between a 45-minute standard ride that covers the full park or shorter options depending on what you want to see.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each6 stops

1. Central Park Carouselpassing by
2. Balto Statue1m
3. Bethesda Terrace3m
4. Bow Bridgepassing by
5. Strawberry Fieldspassing by
6. The Dakotapassing by

Central Park Horse Carriage Ride

• Board horse-drawn carriage
• See Central Park Carousel and Chess House
• Pass Roosevelt Island views
• View Dairy and Plaza Hotel
• See Balto Statue (standard ride)
• Pass Rumsey Playfield concert place (standard ride)
• Photo stop at Bethesda Terrace and Fountain (standard ride)
• Photo stop and feed horses at Roosevelt Island (standard ride)
• See Bow Bridge (standard ride)
• Pass Strawberry Fields (standard ride)
• View The Dakota residence (standard ride)
• See Tavern on the Green restaurant (standard ride)
• Pass Pinebank Arch bridge (standard ride)

The experience

The carriage departs from Central Park and follows a set route past the Central Park Carousel, Roosevelt Island views, the Plaza Hotel, and the Dairy. Your guide narrates as you go, explaining the park's history and trivia while you sit back in the regal carriage. The clip-clop of the horses' hooves is the only sound you need to focus on: the bustle of the city fades away once you're inside.

On the standard 45-minute ride, you'll stop at Bethesda Terrace and its fountain (the first photo stop), where you can feed the horses and take pictures next to them and in the carriage. The route continues across Bow Bridge, past Strawberry Fields and The Dakota (where John Lennon lived), by Tavern on the Green restaurant, and ends near Pinebank Arch: the bridge featured in the movie Elf. You'll also see the Balto Statue and Rumsey Playfield, Central Park's concert venue. Shorter rides cover fewer landmarks but still include the carousel, Roosevelt Island views, and the Plaza Hotel.

Blankets are provided, and the guide speaks English throughout. The carriage accommodates up to five people, making it work for couples, small families or groups of friends. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Fully guided tour with a live English-speaking guide.
• blankets for the ride.
• photo stops where you can feed the horses and take pictures.
• tax included in the price.

Options for this experience

6 options

Top-Tier Best-Value Tour (45 Minutes)Guide in English · 31 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 22:30This 45-minute ride runs exclusively through the heart of Central Park, free of city traffic, offering only nature and iconic views. The 45-minute best deal tour includes the Ice Skating Rink, Carousel, Chess and Checkers House, Balto Statue, Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, and the Tavern on the Green restaurant.

One-Hour City Tour of Central Park and New York CityGuide in English · 28 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 21:00Lasting one hour, you'll first see Central Park, then the Upper West Side and Broadway, Lincoln Center, and Columbus Circle before returning to the park.

Extended VIP Tour of Central Park (55 Minutes)Guide in English · 29 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 21:30This 55-minute tour allows extra time for additional photo stops and includes access to Strawberry Fields (John Lennon's Memorial).

See 3 more options

Private Moonlight Tour, 55 MinutesGuide in English · 10 departure times: the first at 18:00, the last at 23:00Lasting 50 minutes, this tour begins in Central Park, continues along 5th Avenue to Rockefeller Center, and then returns to the park. New York City Tour: Enjoy a classic horse carriage ride that starts in Central Park and then moves on through the streets of New York City.

Enchanting Christmas Lights in New York CityGuide in English · Available from 20 Nov · 9 departure times: the first at 19:00, the last at 23:30This 50-minute tour starts at 200 Central Park South, at the corner of 59th Street and 7th Avenue, and after the city route it finishes back where it began. Christmas lights tour: The Plaza Hotel, Trump Tower, Fifth Avenue stores, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and horse carriages.

Elite Carriage Ride Through Central ParkGuide in English · Available from 21 Nov · 33 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 23:59Duration: 40 minutes. Discover the beauty of Central Park on this 40-minute tour, ideal for those who want to see the park's highlights. The 40-minute Central Park tour includes the Ice Skating Rink, Carousel, Chess and Checkers House, Balto Statue, Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, and the Tavern on the Green restaurant.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 45m, runs every day, 55 start times, from US$ 7.99 per group, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Wednesday: 09:40, 10:00, 10:30, 10:40, 11:00, 11:20, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 12:40, 13:00, 13:20, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 14:40, 15:00, 15:20, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 16:40, 17:00, 17:20, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 18:40, 19:00, 19:20, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 20:40, 21:00, 21:20, 21:30, 22:00, 22:30, 22:40, 22:45, 23:00, 23:10, 23:15, 23:20, 23:30, 23:40, 23:50 and 23:55Thursday: 09:40, 10:00, 10:30, 10:40, 11:00, 11:20, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 12:40, 13:00, 13:20, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 14:40, 15:00, 15:20, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 16:40, 17:00, 17:20, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 18:40, 19:00, 19:20, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 20:40, 21:00, 21:20, 21:30, 22:00, 22:30, 22:40, 22:45, 23:00, 23:10, 23:15, 23:20, 23:30, 23:40 and 23:50Friday: 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 09:40, 10:00, 10:30, 10:40, 11:00, 11:20, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 12:40, 13:00, 13:20, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 14:40, 15:00, 15:20, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 16:40, 17:00, 17:20, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 18:40, 19:00, 19:20, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 20:40, 21:00, 21:20, 21:30, 22:00, 22:30, 22:40, 22:45, 23:00, 23:10, 23:15, 23:20, 23:30, 23:40, 23:50 and 23:55Saturday and Sunday: 08:00, 08:30, 08:40, 09:00, 09:20, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 10:40, 11:00, 11:20, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 12:40, 13:00, 13:20, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 14:40, 15:00, 15:20, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 16:40, 17:00, 17:20, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 18:40, 19:00, 19:20, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, 20:40, 21:00, 21:20, 21:30, 22:00, 22:30, 22:40, 22:45, 23:00, 23:15, 23:20, 23:30, 23:40, 23:50 and 23:55

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up to1h before

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by NYC ELITE RIDES

Is this one for you?Book the standard 45-minute ride if you want to see the full sweep of Central Park (Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields and The Dakota) in one carriage. Choose a shorter option if you're pressed for time or traveling with very young children who need a quicker outing.

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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.

What landmarks will I actually see on the standard Central Park carriage ride?

The standard 45-minute ride passes the Central Park Carousel, Roosevelt Island, the Plaza Hotel, Balto Statue, Bethesda Terrace and its fountain, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, The Dakota, Tavern on the Green, and Pinebank Arch. You'll stop twice for photos, once at Bethesda Terrace and once at Roosevelt Island, where you can also feed the horses.

Can I ride if I'm traveling with young children?

Yes. The carriage fits up to five people total, including three adults and two children under 12. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the ride is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Will the driver explain what we're seeing, or is it just a quiet ride?

The guide provides a fully guided tour in English. They share the park's history, trivia about landmarks, and can point out famous movie locations filmed in Central Park, so you learn as you ride.

What's included in the carriage ride?

The ride includes the live English-speaking guide, blankets, photo stops, and tax. You can choose between a 45-minute standard route or shorter options depending on which landmarks you want to see.

How many people can fit in one carriage?

The carriage holds up to five people: three adults and two children under 12. Service animals are allowed to ride as well.

Are there different ride options, or is it just one route?

You can choose between a 45-minute standard ride covering the full park or shorter rides that include fewer landmarks. The operator also offers themed options like a moonlight tour, Christmas lights tour, and extended tours that combine Central Park with other NYC sights.