Central Park Adventure Playground

Central Park has 21 playgrounds, but if you ask any parent who actually lives on the Upper West Side which one they go to, the answer is almost always Adventure Playground. Located at 67th Street on the west side of the park, it's the one with the giant pyramid climbing structure that kids spot from a block away and start sprinting toward.

What makes Adventure Playground stand out from the Instagram-famous playgrounds (looking at you, Billy Johnson) is the sheer amount of stuff to do. There's a large sand area with a water pump, multiple climbing structures scaled for different ages, swings, slides, and in summer, water features that turn the whole place into a splash zone. The toddler section is gated and separated, so you're not white-knuckling it while a 2-year-old wanders toward the big-kid equipment.

The playground sits in a naturally shaded grove, which matters enormously in July and August when the sun turns exposed playgrounds into griddles. Benches ring the perimeter with decent sightlines, and the vibe is decidedly local — you'll hear more conversations about PS 199 waitlists than about which Broadway show to see.

Practical notes: the nearest clean restrooms are at Tavern on the Green (just south). Street parking is nonexistent but the B/C trains stop at 72nd Street, a 5-minute walk. If you're combining with other Central Park activities, the carousel and Bethesda Fountain are both within easy walking distance.