Heckscher Playground

Heckscher Playground is Central Park's oldest and largest playground — a genuine New York institution that has been drawing families to the southwest corner of the park since 1926. At nearly 1.8 acres, there's enough room for a full crew to spread out and do their own thing simultaneously, which is a rarity in this city.

The setup is smartly divided so younger kids and big kids each have their zone. For the little ones, there's a dedicated toddler area with age-appropriate equipment and a sandbox. For older kids, the centrepiece is a massive, maze-like climber with tunnels, ramps, and slides — the kind of interconnected structure that encourages exploration rather than just taking turns on a slide. Giant boulders are scattered throughout for kids who want to scramble and climb, and in warmer months, two water feature areas open up: one aimed at big kids, one for the smaller set. There's also a wooden suspension bridge, swings, and seesaws.

The restrooms are right inside the Heckscher Building at the playground's main entrance off Central Park South and Seventh Avenue — no hunting around the park for a bathroom, which parents will appreciate. The playground is also close to the Columbus Circle subway stop (A/C/B/D/1 trains), making it one of the easiest Central Park destinations to reach by transit.