Sports in New York: What You Can Play in Central Park

Playing sports in Central Park feels straight out of a movie. While you work out, you'll feel like the star of a film or one of your favorite shows.

In Manhattan's best-loved park you'll find baseball diamonds and tennis and volleyball courts, and when the cold rolls in, two rinks for ice skating (Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink) plus plenty of spots to ski and play in the snow if you're visiting in January or February.

Its green spaces are also popular for yoga, and its wooded areas are ideal for birdwatching.

But above all, running is the king of sports in Central Park.

Running in Central Park

Running is the most popular sport in Central Park. So much so that the New York City Marathon finishes in the park (if you're running it, book a hotel near the finish line). And if you're in New York in November, go cheer on the runners from the best spots to watch the New York City Marathon.

There's a loop with nearly 6 miles of running paths. Every day it's used by hundreds of runners, cyclists and skaters.

The best time to run is when vehicle access is restricted: Monday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm, and all weekend long.

There are famous jogging paths (you've almost certainly seen them in countless movies filmed in the park), like the 1.5-mile loop around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.

If you come to New York around November, you'll witness the fever that builds ahead of the New York City Marathon. Runners will be coming out of every corner of Central Park.

A note about runners

Here's a good moment to remind you of one unwritten rule: never step into the jogging lanes. Runners have the right of way.

When you stop to take photos or pause on the paths, try not to cut across, and definitely not abruptly.

One tip that helps: if a runner is coming up behind you and you're in the way, they'll most likely clap once. It's the runner's version of honking the horn.

Other points of interest in Central Park:

This park takes many visits to see in full, it's enormous! Plus it looks different in every season in New York. These guides will help you get to know it:

🌳 Guide to the green spaces of Central Park

⛲ Discover the most important statues in Central Park

💧 Get to know the lakes and ponds of Central Park

🦁 Did you know there's a zoo in Central Park?

🎭 See the events held in Central Park

🎬 List of famous movies filmed in Central Park