You're standing under the neon glow of the Nasdaq sign, shoulder-to-shoulder with a guy in a giant Elmo suit and three families from Ohio trying to find the M&M’s store. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. Naturally, you’re thinking about grass. Specifically, the green, quiet expanse of Central Park. But here’s the thing: most people mess up the distance. They look at a map, see two rectangles in Midtown Manhattan, and assume it’s a grueling trek. It isn’t.
So, how far is Times Square from Central Park?
If we’re talking raw numbers, it’s about 0.8 miles. That’s roughly 15 to 20 minutes of walking if you aren't stopping to gawk at the architecture or getting stuck behind a slow-moving tour group. But New York distance isn't just about mileage. It’s about blocks. Specifically, the "long" blocks versus the "short" blocks. To get from the heart of Times Square (42nd Street) to the southern edge of Central Park (59th Street), you’re looking at about 17 "short" blocks heading uptown.
It's a breeze. Seriously. You could do it in your sleep, provided you don't get run over by a yellow cab.
The Walk: Broadway vs. 7th Avenue
Most tourists just follow the brightest lights. If you start at the TKTS booth under the red glass steps, you have a choice. You can go up 7th Avenue or follow the diagonal cut of Broadway.
Broadway is more iconic. It’s also a mess. Because Broadway cuts diagonally across the grid, it creates these little pedestrian plazas like Father Duffy Square. Honestly, it’s better for people-watching, but if you’re in a hurry to see the Sheep Meadow, 7th Avenue is the straight shot. From 42nd Street, you just keep the numbers going up. 43rd, 44th, 45th... you get the rhythm. By the time you hit 57th Street, you’ll see the massive glass towers like Central Park Tower—the tallest residential building in the world—looming over you. Two more blocks and you’re at Central Park South.
There’s a weird psychological shift that happens around 53rd Street. The noise of the "Bowtie" (where Broadway and 7th intersect) starts to fade. The street performers disappear. You start seeing more guys in suits and fewer people wearing "I Heart NY" hoodies.
Why the 0.8 Miles Feels Longer (or Shorter)
Weather is the big variable. A July afternoon in Manhattan feels like walking through a pre-heated oven. That 0.8-mile walk will feel like five miles. Conversely, on a crisp October morning, you'll reach the park before you've even finished your latte.
Then there’s the "Midtown Shuffle." This is the phenomenon where you try to maintain a 3.5 mph pace while thousands of other humans are doing 0.5 mph. If you’re a fast walker, the distance from Times Square to Central Park can be frustrating. You'll spend half the time dodging selfie sticks.
Taking the Subway: Is it Worth It?
Sometimes you just don't want to walk. I get it. Your feet hurt, or maybe you’ve already hit your 20,000 steps for the day.
The NYC Subway is the great equalizer. From Times Square-42nd St Station, you have a plethora of options.
- The N, R, or W trains: These are your best friends. You hop on uptown and get off at 5th Avenue-59th Street or 57th Street-7th Avenue. It’s a two-stop ride.
- The 1 train: Take this to 59th St-Columbus Circle. This drops you off at the southwest corner of the park. It’s incredibly fast.
- The C train: You’d have to walk over to 8th Avenue first, but it takes you straight up the west side of the park.
Is it faster than walking? Honestly, probably not. By the time you descend the stairs, wait for the train, ride two stops, and climb back out, you could have walked the 17 blocks. Only take the train if it’s raining or if you’re heading much further north into the park, like the American Museum of Natural History at 79th Street.
Cabs and Ubers: The Tourist Trap
Don’t do it. Just don’t.
Taking an Uber from 42nd and Broadway to 59th and 7th is a recipe for a $20 fare that takes 25 minutes. Traffic in Midtown is a sentient beast that hates you. You will sit at a green light for three cycles because a delivery truck is double-parked on 48th Street. If you’re wondering how far is Times Square from Central Park in a car, the answer is "too far."
Walk. Or bike. Citibike is everywhere. There are docks all over Times Square and all along the perimeter of the park. It takes five minutes. Just watch out for the potholes on 8th Avenue; they’ve swallowed smaller wheels than yours.
The "Secret" Cut-Throughs
If you want to feel like a local, you don't stay on the main avenues. You use the 6th-and-a-half Avenue. It’s not a joke. There’s a series of privately owned public spaces (POPS) that allow you to walk through the middle of the blocks between 6th and 7th Avenues.
You can enter through a lobby on 51st Street and pop out on 57th. It’s quiet, covered, and usually has some weird modern art to look at. It makes the distance feel non-existent because you aren't fighting for sidewalk space.
What to See Between the Two
If you’re walking, don't just put your head down. You’re passing some heavy hitters.
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- The Ed Sullivan Theater: Right on Broadway and 53rd. It’s where Colbert films The Late Show.
- Carnegie Hall: Located at 57th and 7th. Even the exterior is stunning.
- The Halal Guys: The original cart is at 53rd and 6th. The line is long, but the smell is legendary.
- Magnolia Bakery: If you need a sugar hit before hitting the park trails, there’s one in Rockefeller Center, which is just a slight detour east.
Entering the Park
When you finally hit 59th Street, you’ve arrived. But "Central Park" is huge. 843 acres huge.
If you enter at 7th Avenue, you’re right near the Wollman Rink (in winter) or the Victorian Gardens (in summer). If you enter at Columbus Circle (59th and 8th), you’re near the Maine Monument and the merchant's gate. If you swing over to 5th Avenue, you’re at the Grand Army Plaza, right next to The Plaza Hotel.
The distance is small, but the transition is massive. You go from the "Center of the Universe" to a place where you can actually hear birds. It’s the best 0.8 miles in the city.
Planning Your Route
To make the most of this trek, start at the northern end of Times Square (around 47th Street). This shaves a few blocks off the trip.
If you have kids, aim for the Heckscher Playground. It’s the oldest and largest playground in the park, located near the bottom. It’s a straight shot from Times Square. If you’re looking for a romantic stroll, head toward Gapstow Bridge. It’s that iconic stone bridge you see in every movie, and it’s only a few minutes into the park once you cross 59th Street.
Keep in mind that New York blocks are roughly 264 feet long (going north-south). This is why 20 blocks roughly equals a mile. Knowing this helps you gauge your progress. When you see the street sign for 50th, you’re about halfway there. When you see 55th, you’re in the home stretch.
Safety and Timing
Is it safe to walk at night? Generally, yes. This part of Midtown is one of the most heavily policed and well-lit areas on the planet. Walking from a Broadway show at 11:00 PM up to a hotel near the park is perfectly fine. Just stay aware of your surroundings, like you would in any city.
The park itself closes at 1:00 AM. While the perimeter is fine, I wouldn't recommend wandering deep into the Ramble in the middle of the night unless you really like darkness and the occasional raccoon.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Check the street numbers: Always walk toward the higher numbers to get to the park.
- Use the "West Side" trick: If 7th Avenue is too crowded, move over to 8th Avenue or 6th Avenue. They are often less congested than the Broadway/7th Avenue corridor.
- Download an offline map: Google Maps works, but the tall buildings in Midtown can sometimes mess with your GPS signal.
- Wear broken-in shoes: It’s only 0.8 miles, but NYC concrete is unforgiving on brand-new boots.
- Hydrate: Grab a water from a street vendor before you leave Times Square; prices inside the park or at the "fancy" shops on 57th Street tend to spike.
The trek from the neon heart of the city to its green lungs is the quintessential Manhattan experience. It’s short enough to be easy but long enough to see the city transform. Now that you know exactly how far it is, put your phone in your pocket and just enjoy the walk.