New York families have a brand-new reason to head to Central Park this fall. On Saturday, November 21, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., the Central Park Conservancy hosts a free, family-friendly walking tour made just for kids and their grown-ups: a storybook stroll through the park’s literary corner, starting at the Alice in Wonderland statue just north of Conservatory Water.
The tour, called Exploring Central Park’s East Side: A Family Adventure, winds through some of the most beloved corners of the park’s east side. Along the way, families will meet the bronze Alice and her Wonderland friends, say hello to Hans Christian Andersen — the storyteller statue where generations of children have gathered for tales — and discover the whimsical Balto statue, honoring the sled dog hero of 1925. Conservancy guides lead the walk at a kid-friendly pace, with stories woven into every stop.
The walk is part of the Conservancy’s regular family programming, designed to help children experience Central Park as a living storybook rather than just a playground. The tour is best suited for families with children ages 4 to 10, runs about 90 minutes, and is completely free — though advance online registration through the Central Park Conservancy is required, and spots tend to fill quickly.
Families are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early at the Alice in Wonderland statue, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring their curiosity. With autumn color still lingering over the east side, November 21 promises an afternoon where New York’s favorite stories quite literally stand taller than the kids who love them.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
