Carriage Ride in Central Park

Absolute must be on any to-​do list while in New York City !! Part of NYC history and it’s the only way to see Central Park. The memory will live on years after the trip is over.

I’m not about to get controversial about the horses. I just love them. I think there needs to be a solution to make everyone happy. The carriage rides are one of the lasting traditions in NYC. I like to go along Central Park South as often as I can just to smell the smell! I’m a country girl at heart. I’ve lived in a lot of U.S. States. I imagine I’m out in the country. The smell and presence of the horses takes me to the country! A temporary escape is better than no escape!
As far as taking a ride, Ha! The price is too steep for me. I’ll let the tourists enjoy it. They can make their memories!

We got scammed by this company. We were told that we could purchase a bike tour of Central Park for $ 50, and then come back for a carriage ride at 10pm for an additional $ 50 so we could see the Christmas lights on 5^th Avenue, we paid the $ 100 and when we showed up they were closed. No one ever answered the phone.

I wanted to take my girlfriend on the carriage ride to propose to her. I looked into this for a couple of weeks to try and organize it. There is no need to because all you have to do is show up on 59^th street and 5^th Avenue by the plaza hotel. The drivers are dressed in proper attire for the occasion and are awaiting to make your moment. In our case our driver was Taner and our horse was Taylor. I highly recommend asking for him. It was Saturday night right before Christmas and the rates were $ 60 for 20 minutes or &120 for 40 minutes.

A romantic way to see Central Park, even if you’re on your own. All year round, you can see carriages lined up along Central Park South between 5^th and 6^th Avenues. But, there are restrictions — no rides if it’s above 89 degrees or under 19 degrees or during blizzards. Something you should do at least once. The guy was nice during my ride and let me feed the horse after the ride. The horse’s name was Balto and was super cute and sweet, and loved carrots! This is a pricey thing to do, but well worth the experience, at least once, preferably on a special day like a birthday.

I’m a tourist in NYC. Hell yes I’m doing the «tourist» thing and taking a carriage ride!
I don’t know what company these one star people went with and honestly, I didn’t see the name of the company ours was with but I can tell you I’m thankful we chose who we did! Our white horse Charlie was parked in front of 220 Central Park South and had a red plume. His driver Luis was so sweet and we wanted the 50 minute ride so he took us around the park. He let us get off at Bethesda Terrace to take pics and the same at «Friends» fountain. He pointed out different notables like celeb apartments and movie location spots but wasn’t so chatty that we couldn’t enjoy it. When we were done, he asked for our camera so he could take pics of us and took several angles and zooms like a pro.
The horse was sweet, nuzzled with us after the ride and seemed happy. I’m glad that this wasn’t done away with before we got a chance to do it. I was proposed to on a horse and carriage so it holds a special place in my heart! It was a great way to see Central Park and get oriented with it so we could walk it afterward. For the price it was the same as taking a pedicab which charged $ 3 – 4 per minute depending on which company you chose and we weren’t cramped and miserable like most of the pedicab people looked.
If you have a chance look for Luis as your driver, you won’t be sorry.

Super! My daughters loved it. The gentleman giving is the ride was an excellent tour guide pointing out historic buildings and places along the way. He let my youngest pet the horse too.

I have lived in NYC for years and finally took my first carriage ride. It was at night and the driver bundled us up in soft warm throws. I have never been in the park at night except for concerts so it was magical to see it lit up by the old fashioned street lights.(If you are a tourist, you may prefer a daytime ride to see more of the Park’s attractions.) It was romantic and the clip clopping of the horse’s hooves and the rumbling of the carriage wheels were relaxing and made me feel as if I had stepped in a time machine. You have to bargain a bit — don’t accept the first price you are given. It isn’t cheap but it is special.
BTW, I have owned a horse and ridden them for years. These horses are VERY well cared for — you can tell by their condition of their hooves, fetlocks, muzzles and lack of any sores. The carriage horse was a Belgian draft horse — they are WORKING horses, not pets, and are bred to pull things. The driver told us that each carriage has three horses. One works during the day, one at night, and the other is at a nearby farm. So with rotations, each horse gets two two-​month «vacations» at a farm out to pasture. This is eminently humane — without that kind of work, draft horses would end up as zoo specimens because they are too big to saddle ride.
Trust me, horses that are left out to pasture all the time get bored and listless. Perhaps it is different with wild, ungelded horses and, of course, no animal should be overworked — but working animals — be they sheep dogs or draft horses — enjoy working.

Do not use carriage
to pre-​pay for your ride. We were not able to use the ticket as there were 20 people in line and only one of their carriages passed by within the one hour that we stood in line compared to the fifteen that passed for the cash carriages.
We finally gave up when the lead person in line became very irate with the carriage
driver when he picked up a cash fare about 10 yards away from the line. They bill themselves as something they are not. Take cash and pay when you get to Central Park. There will be plenty of carriages from other companies.

Feel the cold but clear day for the ride it was worthwhile. I would recommend doing the one hour ride instead of the 20 minute ride. The 20 minute ride is actually 15 and includes a stop for the horse to drink some water and then photos when you’re done. A little too short for the $ 60 you pay. If its not too cold I would go with the one hour ride if it is called have them put the top up. Beautiful sights the driver was knowledgeable and pointed out many up to the high and condos and who lived there. The fights with in the park are beautiful just like you see on TV.

I have to admit it, I’m a native New Yorker who loves the horses in Central Park. And, when I had family visit last weekend, we went for a carriage ride. There were four of us and it cost $ 12.50 each of us, for a total of $ 50. Where else could we get such a bargain! The driver was friendly and the horse was beautifully groomed. It was the highlight of our day! I have more family scheduled to visit during their Christmas break and they’ve already told me they want to go for a carriage ride too!

Love love my experience, A bit pricey but worth every penny ($ 120 for an hour The seats were extra comfy + fits about 4 people located on 59^th street between 5^th & 6^th avenue) ! Great tourist attraction! Idk why people wanted to shut this attraction to nyc down ! The horses looked healthy and groom, the driver gave my hubs an I a little history lesson + took lots of pictures of us, moral of my story even if your not up for the ride pet the horses or take the ride great way to empress a date

I didn’t like it at all. The horses looked miserable and starved for attention. We even ended the ride early.

My family took a carriage ride when visiting family in NYC — just to give it a chance amidst all the controversy. The horses look miserable if you know anything at all about horses! Their behavior says a lot if you have been around horses outside of the City — in pastures — socializing, running, jumping, rolling and grazing. The City is packed with cars and the horses do not get a break just to do something in relaxation other than stand there with a heavy cart tied to them. Horses do not belong in the middle of all the traffic, carrying heavy carriages all day. We also did a tour of the City while there and saw the area where the carriage horses are kept. It is terrible! These horses work so hard with all the weight on their backs for long, long periods of time. When they go home, they are kept in TINY stalls. What a horrible life for these majestic animals! Here’s more information about the NYC carriage horses.

Rude driver who drove dangerously. He went through the light and then turned around in a busy street. I didn’t feel safe and got out with my kids before it was over. Expected more for all that $.
I just Googled carriage horse accidents and NYC. OMG. look at this! So glad we got out!

Dangerous Drunk Criminal
1.Driver was drunk (drank from paper bag)
2. Had no control over horse — turned down one way street wrong way
3. Demanded $ 20 more
4. Would stop horse unless we gave him extra money
5. Reported his plate to police
Guy should be in jail.

Great Driver! He took pictures of us and the horse before we ever said we wanted to ride. We walked us through the different routes and was supper friendly. It was expensive but that didn’t matter cause it was really fun.

This a a great way to see the park. I enjoy the rides several times. The negative reviews here seem to be posted by animal crazies who have never been I a ride or seen the horses. I have been keeping up with the information on the horses. They are heavily regulated and the horses appear to all be in good health.

We went on a ride thought Central Park yesterday, my daughter felt like a princess. The driver gave my daughter carrots to feed the horse afterwards and let us take all the pictures we wanted. This is one of the nicest things to do in NYC and I know, I have lived here my whole life. Enjoy it while you can.

I went on a horse carriage ride a couple years ago and I have regretted it ever since.
The driver I had was not honest. For my ride, It was a prearranged ride, and the driver added on $ 20 extra dollars as required payment.