New York’s Iconic Central Park: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Description
Get the most out of Central Park with this self-guided walking tour produced by an Emmy-nominated storyteller. • Relive the Great Zoo Escape of 1874 and hunt down the park’s hidden witch • Hear from Tom Darbyshire, a Creative Director from New York’s advertising industry whose passion for juicy stories and Central Park inspired him to produce this VoiceMap tour • Do it all in 90 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This self-guided audio tour takes place in Central Park. Over the course of 90 minutes, you'll be guided through the park and hear fascinating stories relating the the sites you see along the way.
The tour begins in Grand Army Plaza, in front of the Plaza Hotel. You'll hear about how VoiceMap works and be introduced to the tour while you walk.
The tour passes by the Pulitzer Fountain which was designed in 1916, by Thomas Hastings, whose firm also did the New York Public Library. You'll hear about the fountain while you walk.
The tour passes by the statue of William Tecumseh Sherman who, in the Civil War battle of Shiloh, had his horse shot out from under him. You'll hear about the legendary man while you walk.
The tour takes you past the Gapstow Bridge which has been featured on films and TV shows, like Home Alone 2, The Devil Wears Prada, Gossip Girl, and Enchanted. You'll hear about the bridge while you walk.
The tour takes you past Central Park Zoo where you'll hear the story of the Great Zoo Escape of 1874 while you walk.
The tour passes by the Balto Statue. You'll hear about the legendary dog who saved Nome, Alaska, and who wasn't actually called Balto while you walk.
The tour passes by John Quincy Adams Ward's famed Indian Hunter statue. Hear about the statue and the artist while you walk.
Learn why Central Park's mall is often referred to as cathedral walk while you take a trip down the walk way yourself.
While you walk, hear how there wasn't a single statue in honor of a real woman in Central Park until August of 2020, on the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote.
Take in some of the views of the park from Bethesda Terrance and learn a bit about the terrace's history.
Hear the history of Bethesda Fountain while you walk past it.
The tour passes by Bow Bridge where you'll hear some of the horrors that have unfolded in its shadows.
The tour passes through Central Park's Strawberry Fields. While you walk, you'll hear about John Lennon’s murder.
The tour ends in front of the Dakota Hotel. Hear how the hotel came to be before the tour ends.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(4)
Very hard to use especially with paths in Central Park kept going in circles and telling us we were lost. No kidding! Would like a refund
Hi Christopher I've processed a refund for you. We're sorry you didn't have a satisfactory experience. From our side, it looks like you were able to complete most of the tour without any issues so we'd really appreciate it if you took the time to email us about your experience so we can find out what went wrong. Thanks, Alicia
I've lived in New York most of my life and had NO IDEA about so much of the fascinating history I learned this tour-- from escaped zoo animals to the gilded age to bizarre guests at the Plaza Hotel, I was transported. The tour really focuses on stories instead of facts and dates, which I absolutley loved. The self directed nature of the tour means you can stop and explore on your own if you reach a place you like, or sit down in the grass and stare at some of the design of in the park the tour teaches you about, which I did! Often, because it was hot! Such a relief to not be carted around in a large herd of people. And so much more affordable.
Packed with information both stirring and hilarious. The back story of the Central Park Zoo is simply unforgettable. Who knew?!! Allow at least two hours to cover the ground here. You'll see the famous park with new eyes and notice things you've never seen, no matter how many times you've visited.
YOu could just wander thru the park...or you could walk with this amazing storyteller who gives the background of just about eveyrthing you see! The sound effects, the voices of the characters...wow
