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The Central Park Zoo is a charming destination for a morning of fun.

Morning: Visit the Central Park Zoo

First: coffee. There are dozens of coffee shops just outside Central Park. Swing by Le Café or Sip + Co at the south end of the park before heading to the iconic Central Park Zoo. The zoo typically opens at 10am, and you can buy tickets online in advance. Arriving when the gate opens is a great way to get ahead of the tourist rush.

Check the schedule on the zoo’s website to find out when to catch the penguins and sea lions enjoying their breakfast. Don’t miss the Tropic Zone, the cuddly red pandas, and the grizzly bears. After you’ve seen the main zoo, walk down to the Tisch Children’s Zoo to feed the farm animals. Be sure to pack some quarters to buy a handful of food from the machines. You can also get change for a $1 or $5 bill.

Plan to spend about 90 minutes-2 hours at the zoo if you want to see all of the animals. There’s also a 4-D theater where you can watch a short movie. (Note: My toddler did not love this part. Even though it was a kid-friendly show, the dark theater and special effects freaked her out. Just something to keep in mind if you have little ones.)

One thing my toddler does love is the huge Delacorte Clock above the pathway between the main zoo and the Tisch Children’s Zoo. Watch the animal sculptures rotate around the clock to nursery rhyme tunes on the half-hour from 8am-6pm daily.

Lunchtime and Where to Fuel Up

The Dancing Crane Café at the Central Park Zoo is one of the most convenient places to fuel up for the afternoon, but I prefer to pack a picnic lunch or take a 10-minute walk through the park to Ballfields Café. It has kid-friendly staples like chicken fingers, fries, and soft pretzels. Parents can order wraps, salads, burgers, and sandwiches.

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Catch a kid-friendly puppet performance at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre.

Afternoon: Choose Your Own Adventure

The perfect Central Park afternoon depends on the ages and interests of your kids. If your children are younger, take a spin on the Central Park Carousel, right next to Ballfields Café. Then walk up to the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, which is one mile north of the carousel. It’s a beautiful walk, but you can also exit the west side of the park and take the M10 bus or the C subway train if you're not up for the trek on foot. The theater is housed in a quaint wooden cottage from the 1870s. The small space makes for an intimate experience, and the puppet shows are always high-quality. Book tickets in advance during busy seasons like the summertime.

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Remote-controlled sailboats provide plenty of entertainment for tweens during a trip to Central Park.

If your child is older, take a ride on a rowboat at The Lake or stay on solid ground to operate a remote-control model sailboat at Conservatory Water. Belvedere Castle is another fun stop, and it’s free to visit. Climb to the top of the 1867 Gothic-style structure for a beautiful view of the park.

If you have a budding chess master, stop by the Chess & Checkers House, a popular outdoor meetup for chess enthusiasts of all ages.

RELATED: Best Central Park Picnic Areas for Kids and Families

Even little ones can enjoy playtime at Central Park's collection of playgrounds.

Ending the Day at a Destination Playground

Central Park is dotted with playgrounds, and two of the best—we've ranked all our faves here—are located near the south end of the park. Heckscher Playground features a massive sandbox with climbable pyramid slides. It also has swings, a soft and springy pit for practicing scooter stunts, and sprinklers for cooling off in the summer.

RELATED: NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep

The Billy Johnson Playground is another family favorite. It also has swings and a water play area, but it’s known for its wooden climbing structures and the long, fast, granite slide set into the side of the hill. Unwind on a bench while your kids burn off any energy left over from your Central Park adventures.

Know Before You Go

Many of the places mentioned above have bathrooms, including baby changing stations. Our family’s go-to potty stops are the public bathrooms at the Heckscher Playground and the ones inside the Central Park Zoo (open to restaurant and zoo visitors only). There are also public bathrooms at the Chess and Checkers House and a small bathroom inside the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre for puppet show guests.

Central Park is generally stroller-friendly. There are a few areas with steps, but you can find paths around them. The itinerary above focuses on the central and south areas of the park and involves a lot of walking, including some hills, so wear comfy shoes. Central Park is full of massive rocks that are irresistible to kids, so be prepared to set some boundaries or let them do a little climbing.

Check out the Central Park Conservancy website before you visit to see if there are any special activities taking place, like a guided walk through The Ramble or story time by the Hans Christian Andersen statue. With tours seven days a week and plenty of other activities throughout the year, there’s always something to do.

Photos by the author