At WestHouse Hotel New York, guests stay about four blocks from the southern end of Central Park, roughly a six-minute walk, making it easy to build a winter walk, an afternoon of ice skating or a quiet morning through the park into a wider Midtown stay.
Winter changes the park considerably. Crowds thin, the Mall’s trees go bare, and on the right day snow settles over Sheep Meadow, the reservoir loop and the Ramble, turning a familiar park into something closer to woodland in the middle of Manhattan.
It’s also easy to overlook. Visitors focused on Christmas markets, holiday windows and Broadway shows often treat the park as a quick stop rather than somewhere worth a second visit.
Here is what to know before visiting Central Park in winter.
Ice Skating in Central Park
Ice skating is one of the more enduring winter traditions in Central Park, with two dedicated rinks running through the season.
Wollman Rink
Wollman Rink sits at the park’s south end, near 63rd Street, and typically operates from October through April. Hours vary through the week, generally running from mid-morning into the evening, with later closing times on weekends. Skate rentals are available on-site; current pricing is best confirmed directly before visiting.
Lasker Rink at the Davis Center
At the park’s north end, near the Harlem Meer, the Davis Center for Living and Learning operates a seasonal ice rink on the site of the former Lasker Rink. It offers a quieter, less crowded alternative to Wollman Rink for visitors happy to walk a little further into the park.
Conservatory Water
On rare occasions when ice on Conservatory Water reaches a safe thickness, informal skating is sometimes possible there too, though this depends entirely on weather and is far less consistent than the park’s two dedicated rinks. Check current conditions before planning around it.
Sledding and Snow Days in Central Park
After a significant snowfall, several of the park’s hills become informal sledding spots. Pilgrim Hill and Cedar Hill, both near Fifth Avenue in the low-to-mid 70s, are the two most commonly used, generally opening up once snow cover reaches around six inches.
Sheep Meadow and other open lawns fill with snowmen and snowball games under the same conditions, and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing across the meadows and bridle path is not unheard of after a heavier storm.
None of this is scheduled or guaranteed. It depends entirely on the season’s snowfall, so visitors hoping for a proper snow day in the park are better off checking the forecast in the days leading up to a trip rather than planning around it months in advance.
Visit the Central Park Zoo in Winter
The Central Park Zoo stays open through the colder months, and several of its residents are considerably more active in winter than in summer. Snow leopards, sea lions, and penguins are among the more popular sights, with the nearby Tisch Children’s Zoo offering a quieter stop for families traveling with younger children.
Take a Winter Walk Through the Park
Central Park’s quieter winter crowds make it one of the better times of year for a proper walk rather than a quick stop.
The Mall and Bethesda Terrace remain two of the park’s most photographed spots year-round, and both hold up well in winter, particularly the covered Bethesda Terrace Arcade, a sheltered spot to pause during a walk on a colder or wetter day. Nearby, Bow Bridge and the surrounding paths around the Lake are especially striking after snowfall.
For a quieter walk, the Ramble and the North Woods, both known for birdwatching, are worth the extra distance. The Central Park Conservancy also runs guided winter birding tours through these areas during the season, with hand warmers and binoculars provided.
Visit the Carousel and the Dairy Visitor Center
The historic Central Park Carousel, with 57 hand-carved horses, runs year-round and makes for a short, easy stop on a colder day. Nearby, the Dairy Visitor Center offers park maps, gifts, and a warm place to pause partway through a longer walk.
Guided Tours and Winter Programs
The Central Park Conservancy runs a rotating calendar of winter programming, including daily guided tours of the park’s most scenic winter spots, along with seasonal birding walks and mindfulness-focused walks through the Arthur Ross Pinetum. Details and schedules are updated through the season on the Conservancy’s website.
Is Central Park Open in Winter?
Yes. Central Park remains open year-round, including throughout the winter months, with standard hours running from 6am to 1am daily.
Daylight hours are shorter in winter, so the practical window for a visit is a bit tighter in December and January than at other times of year. Visitors planning a longer walk are generally better off starting earlier in the day, and sticking to well-traveled paths such as the Mall or the area around Bethesda Terrace once the light starts to fade.
What to Wear and When to Go
New York’s winter months run cold. December averages a high around 44°F and a low around 34°F, January averages a high near 40°F with lows around 28°F, and February sits similarly, with temperatures below freezing common on winter nights.
Layered, waterproof clothing and warm, comfortable footwear make a longer visit considerably more manageable, particularly after snow or rain. Mornings can be a good time for a quieter walk, particularly on clear days once paths have been cleared, while weekday visits generally mean fewer crowds than weekends.
Central Park at Christmas
Central Park takes on an extra layer of seasonal detail during the Christmas period, with horse-drawn carriages, seasonal lighting near the park’s southern entrances, and a noticeably busier atmosphere around the holidays themselves.
For more on visiting during that specific stretch of the season, see our guide to Christmas in New York City.
Stay Near Central Park This Winter at WestHouse Hotel New York
WestHouse Hotel New York is just 4 blocks, or around a 6-minute walk, from Central Park South, giving guests easy access to the park throughout a winter stay.
That proximity makes it simple to head out for a morning walk, ice skating or a few hours exploring, then return to WestHouse before continuing with the rest of your Midtown plans. With spacious rooms and suites on West 55th Street, the hotel offers a comfortable base close to both Central Park and the wider city.
Explore rooms and suites at WestHouse Hotel New York or view the latest WestHouse offers to start planning a winter stay near Central Park.