The first time I ever visited New York City, I was quite surprised to see so many horse carriages when I was walking through Central Park! I know it’s quite a “touristy” thing to do, but it’s something so quintessentially NYC that it’s a must-do.

You’ll be taken around Central Park, where you’ll realize just how vast this enormous place is! I’ve been to Central Park countless times since then, and it’s virtually impossible to see everything on foot like you would in a carriage.

I’ve detailed the 5 top NYC horse carriage rides that are well worth your time and will make the most of the experience! Let’s jump right in!

Best Horse Carriage Rides in New York City

	NYC: Guided Central Park Horse Carriage Ride	NYC: Guided Central Park Horse Carriage Ride	NYC: Private Central Park Horse Carriage Ride with Guide
Location:	7th Ave & West 59th Street, Central Park S, New York	7th Ave & West, Central Park S, New York, NY	200 Central Park S, New York, NY
Start:	Between 8:30 AM & 11:30 PM	Between 8:30 AM & 11:00 PM	Between 8:00 AM & 10:00 PM
Duration:	20 to 55 minutes	55 mins	40 to 55 minutes
Includes:	Guide, Horse-drawn carriage, Blankets (during winter), 2-3 photo stops, Treats to feed the horses	Fully-Guided & Entertaining Tours, Big Warm Cozy Blankets, Picturesque Photo Stops, Treats to feed the horse	Horse carriage tour, photo stops, blankets for winter season, driver
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated NYC Horse Carriage Rides For 2024

1. NYC: Guided Central Park Horse Carriage Ride
2. Official NYC Horse Carriage Rides in Central Park since 1979
3. NYC: Private Central Park Horse Carriage Ride with Guide
4. NYC: Central Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride (up to 4 Adults)
5. New York City: Central Park Private Horse and Carriage Tour

NYC Horse Carriage Ride Reviews

1. NYC: Guided Central Park Horse Carriage Ride

There are virtually countless experiences one can have in Central Park, with the vast space and activities that lie within. I mean, one time when I was inside the park, I went to a daytime rave and then dinner at the Boathouse restaurant where I sat next to Steven Spielberg all within a couple of hours (true story!).

Dance parties and celebrity sightings are only a couple of possibilities, though, and with the NYC: Guided Central Park Horse Carriage Ride, you’ll get a nice idea of what it has to offer!

This comfortable tour is completely private, making it ideal for couples or smaller friend groups who’d like personalized attention from their guide. The guide is an NYC local, so needless to say, you can count on hearing tons of fun stories about the park and the history surrounding it.

Not only that, but ours gave us plenty of helpful tips and recommendations on what to do in the city, which was invaluable!

Your guide will take you to the most famous landmarks in the park such as the Wollman Rink, Carousel, Chess and Checker House, Bethesda Fountain, The Lake, and more.

Depending on the option you select, you may make 2 to 3 photo stops as well (of course, you can always do this on your own, too). No need to worry about being cold if you are going in the wintertime, as they even thoughtfully include blankets!

There are about 6 different tour options available, ranging from 20 minutes to around an hour – surely you’ll find one that works best for you!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. NYC: Guided Central Park Horse Carriage Ride

If you want to explore Central Park and learn about New York City like a true VIP, this exclusive tour is the perfect way to experience its beauty and charm.

With a private group setting, you’ll have a close experience with a knowledgeable guide who knows the park inside and out. With a talent for sharing fascinating stories that bring history to life, you’ll learn about the famous landmark from past to present.

This 55-minute adventure takes you through iconic landmarks such as the Bethesda Terrace, the Bow Bridge, the various lakes, and much more. With plenty of stops at breathtaking spots, you’ll have countless opportunities to take great photos and videos.

Your guide will point out the best spots, like at the Bow Bridge, where you have the skyline peeking over the lush green trees.

This gorgeous, relaxing tour is a great option if it’s your first time in NYC and want to get to know Central Park or get a “lay of the land” quickly.

Our guide was so wonderful that he even took photos of us throughout, making for lovely mementos to share with family. I also appreciated that he seemed to really love his horse, offering us treats to feed him at different stops!

I highly recommend pre-booking so you don’t risk the time that you want being sold out. There are plenty of different times available, and as each is less than an hour, I’m sure you can find a time that works best for you.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. NYC: Private Central Park Horse Carriage Ride with Guide

This next tour is another fantastic option if you’re looking to spot some of the most iconic places in New York City that are usually seen in movies. The NYC: Private Central Park Horse Carriage Ride with Guide experience lets you kick back and relax while taking it all in.

Walking through Central Park can be quite serene, but due to its sheer vastness, it’s going to leave you with blisters and fatigue if you try to see it all on foot.

If you’re seeking a slice of romance or perhaps nostalgia, you’ll love being guided by the friendly carriage driver through the lush landscapes, iconic spots, and plenty of “hidden” gems.

Along the way, the driver will share fascinating stories and insights about the urban oasis – answering any questions you may have as you progress.

It’s quite nice being able to experience the picturesque location all from the comfort of the cozy carriage, with the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves to really set the scene.

With the gentle breeze in your hair and the view of the skyline peeking over the trees, you’ll hardly remember you’re in the bustling heart of Manhattan.

Whether you’re cuddling up with a loved one or enjoying a unique outing with friends, the carriage ride brings about an element of magic to your day. It’s ideal for any occasion, from regular trips to anniversaries or birthdays.

Whether you’d like to learn more about history or perhaps sights shot in movies like John Wick or Home Alone, the guides do a fantastic job enriching the experience with their knowledge. Make sure to grab your camera to take some snapshots, so you can show your friends and family all that you saw!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. NYC: Central Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride (up to 4 Adults)

If one were to define a city as “hustling and bustling”, it would without a doubt by New York City. The “city that never sleeps” didn’t earn that name for nothing, and if you’re not used to the constant sensory overload, it can be overwhelming.

Central Park is a calm respite right in the middle of it all, with plenty of gorgeous walking trails and greenery to give you some peace of mind.

If it’s your first time in the park or you’d just like to learn and see more than you would on foot, this next tour is a great selection.

The NYC: Central Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride (up to 4 Adults) experience highlights some of the most famous landmarks and spots that you may know from general culture or specific movies.

With 843 acres of green space, your expert guide will take you on a carefully-curated tour filled with lakes, monuments, incredible architecture, and plenty of stories!

With centuries of history behind it, you can count on plenty of stories that will surely make you look at the park differently. For example, well before it was Central Park, it was Seneca village, which is an old African-American settlement.

However, there are plenty of other stories that revolve around this green public space that you’ll find interesting, immersing you in its rich background.

See the horses on the carousel, the legendary Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields (especially if you’re a Beatles fan!), the English lawn-bowling court, and much more.

There really is something for every interest inside Central Park, and with a small group size, you’ll be able to ask any questions you may have.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. New York City: Central Park Private Horse and Carriage Tour

Set off on a timeless adventure through Central Park at the time that works best for you! Your mode of transport for the next hour or so, is a private horse and carriage that perfectly captures the essence of NYC’s most beloved oasis.

Relax in a charming carriage as a beautiful horse carries you and your private group through winding paths lined with lush greenery and captivating landmarks.

Meet up at the Jose Julian Marti Statue which is surprisingly easy to find (you can literally just put it into Google Maps), and board your carriage with your guide.

They asked us if we had any specific interests or sites we really wanted to see inside the park, and they customized it based on that, which was a nice touch.

However, we also saw the “main” points of interest, like the Bethesda Terrace, the Alice in Wonderland statue, some of the different lakes, and much more.

As we rode around, our guide regaled us with interesting stories about the park and different landmarks – it’s crazy to see just how culturally important it is!

We went along Fifth Avenue to Billionaire’s Row, which was truly impressive seeing all the intricate architecture and learning about the people who lived there, past and present.

While you’ll have plenty of opportunities to snap photos and videos in the carriage, you can choose the VIP option to actually stop to take some snaps as well.

Considering just the slight increase in price, I highly recommend doing the VIP option as the guides take some amazing photos and know exactly where to go for the best shots!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience