New York City

3 Fun Horse Carriage Rides in Central Park

by Cedric Pentonville  |  Published October 19, 2021

Experience Manhattan’s Central Park, the way many of this beautiful green space’s 19th-century visitors did, by taking a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

Back before there were cars and metro systems, there were horses and carts to convey people from A to B. Now the anachronistic transportation system is restricted to the parts of New York that are still not accessible to cars and metro systems. Places such as Central Park. And there is no way to explore this verdant belle of Manhattan, which first opened to the public in 1858, quite as romantic as a horse-drawn carriage. Here are three great tour options.

Central Park Horse and Carriage Ride

If you are just looking for a short horse and carriage excursion around Central Park and you’re solo or in a group of up to four people, then this 20-minute tour is a great option. That’s because your driver not only points out and explains the main sights around the park, but you’ll also get a chance to pet the horse beforehand. As with all tours on this list, prices quoted are for the whole carriage, which seats up to four people. From $71 per group.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Private Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

Taking a carriage ride at different times of day unveils different sides of New York’s most famous park. You can choose a departure time from anywhere between 10am and 11pm and go for 20, 40 or 45 minutes, depending on how much you’d like to see from the comfort of a carriage. Popular landmarks you may visit on this tour include the Bethesda Fountain, the Imagine mosaic in memory of John Lennon, and the English lawn, among many others. Up to four people per carriage. From $109 per group.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Romantic Central Park Carriage Ride

For that special someone, a romantic carriage ride through one of North America’s most charming parks makes a strong statement. This 50-minute tour is available from morning until late in the evening, so you can plan to take the ride after a romantic dinner or at sunset, when the light is at its most golden. This tour option also includes a bottle of champagne and a bucket of roses. And if you’re planning a special proposal as part of this trip, your guide is on hand to recommend the best spots to pop the question, such as Bow Bridge. From $289 per group.

Book at Getyourguide.com