Victorian Gardens
Not very Victorian but Definitely Fun

City-Kid Review:

I went on the roller coaster by myself!!

I have to be honest with you. I was skeptical.  For years, I have avoided the Victorian Gardens.
How wrong was I?
This fun fair is tons of…ahem…fun.
It is similar to the traveling funfairs you get in small towns in America but situated in the middle of south Central Park in the middle of America’s biggest city.

The rides are perfect for kids and adults (like me) who are a bit daunted by the heart-stopping thrill-rides of Coney Island. This is much lower key but it does just fine. It is a lot of fun.

As they are in the middle of, what is in winter, an ice rink, there is not a ton of natural shade, but the organizers have worked hard to mitigate this. Benches have umbrellas to throw shade upon the sitters, and the snack bar is an enclosed, air-conditioned space in which fair-goers can cool down.  Plus, they have fans which squirt out a mist of water and cool you off. Some of the benches have beach umbrellas, which provide some shade.

We will definitely go again before it closes on September 10th.

Need to Knows:

Location: in the Wollman rink in Central Park. Enter Central Park at 59th Street on the East Side and head north and west. Or enter at 59th and 6th Avenue and keep walking north.

Cost: You can pay as you go or get an unlimited wristband. Either way, park admission is $8.50 during the week and $9.50 at weekends. Pay as you go is $4 a ride (they say $1 a ticket and each ride is 4 tickets) or the unlimited wrist band is $16.00 during the week and $18.oo at weekends.

You must be 44″ tall to go on some of the rides. If you City Kid is under that height a parent or older sibling will have to go on, which is an additional expense.

Hours: Most days it opens at 11am and closes at  7pm. It is worth checking the calendar ahead of time. It is a great way to blow off energy after school or camp.

The food is pricey and standard American fare.

The Victorian Gardens closes September 10th.

Top-Tip

After your fun, you can visit the wonderful Heckscher Playground, which is the oldest and largest playground in Central Park. It is tremendous fun with water features, tunnels, ramps, sand – the works. The playground is nearby between 61st and 63rd street. You can, also, pay a visit to the Old Dairy and the Central Park Carousel.

Your NYC-ID gives you 2-for-1 entrance.

Do you have a favorite ride at the Victorian Gardens? Please tell us about your experience in the comments section.

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