The Alice in Wonderland Statue in Central Park: A Perfect Stop for Families with Young Children

Is the Alice in Wonderland statue good for young children?

It’s one of the best things in Central Park for small kids. Full stop.

The Alice in Wonderland statue sits on the north shore of Conservatory Water, near East 74th and 75th Streets. Sculptor José de Creeft designed and installed it in 1959, and here’s the key detail: it was built for children to climb. This isn’t a “look but don’t touch” monument. Kids are encouraged to scramble up Alice’s lap, perch on the Mad Hatter’s hat, and wrap their arms around the Cheshire Cat. The bronze has been polished smooth and golden in spots by decades of little hands.

The sculpture stands about 11 feet tall. Toddlers can explore the mushrooms at the base. Older kids can scale higher to sit beside Alice herself. There are no sharp edges, no ropes, no “keep off” signs. It is, by design, a playground disguised as public art.

What else is nearby for families?

Conservatory Water, the formal pond right next to the statue, is Central Park’s model boat pond. You can rent remote-controlled sailboats from April through October at the Kerbs Boathouse on the west side of the pond. A 30-minute rental runs around $11. Kids love it.

Just south of the pond, you’ll find the Hans Christian Andersen statue, another bronze sculpture where storytelling sessions take place on Saturday mornings during summer months. A few minutes’ walk west brings you to the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, one of the park’s most iconic landmarks.

If your kids need a proper playground after the statue, East 72nd Street Playground (also called the James Michael Levin Playground) is a short walk south along the park’s East Drive. It has swings, slides, and a large sandbox.

How do you get to the Alice in Wonderland statue?

The easiest approach:

• By subway: Take the 6 train to 77th Street. Walk west into the park and head south toward Conservatory Water. Total walk: about 8 minutes.
• From the west side: Enter at 72nd Street and Central Park West, walk east past Bethesda Fountain, and continue northeast to the pond. About 15 minutes on foot.
• From Fifth Avenue: Enter at East 74th or 76th Street. The pond is a 3-minute walk from the park entrance.

Strollers roll fine on the paved paths leading to the statue. The area immediately around the sculpture is paved and flat.

What are some tips for visiting with young children?

• Go early on weekdays. Weekend afternoons draw crowds, and the statue gets busy with kids waiting for a turn to climb. Weekday mornings before 10am are calm.
• Bring a towel or wipes. The bronze gets warm in direct sun during summer, and kids’ hands will turn slightly green from the patina. It washes off easily.
• Pack a snack. There are benches all around Conservatory Water. Grab a pretzel or ice cream from the cart that’s usually parked near the 72nd Street entrance and eat by the pond.
• Combine it with a boat rental. The statue plus 30 minutes of model sailboats fills a solid hour, which is the sweet spot for toddler attention spans.
• Winter works too. The statue is beautiful with a dusting of snow, and you’ll likely have it to yourselves.

Can you build a one-hour family walk around this area of Central Park?

Absolutely. Here’s a tight loop that works well with kids under 6:

1. Start at the Alice in Wonderland statue (15 minutes of climbing and photos)
2. Walk south along Conservatory Water to the Hans Christian Andersen statue (5 minutes)
3. Head west to Bethesda Fountain and Terrace (10 minutes to explore)
4. Walk south through The Mall, the grand elm-lined promenade (10 minutes)
5. End at Cherry Hill or loop back north

Total distance: roughly 0.7 miles. Flat, paved, stroller-friendly the entire way.