Central Park Self Guided Audio Mystery Olmsted's Blueprint Walk
- 2h 45m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 21 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Uncover Central Park like never before in this self-guided audio mystery. As you walk from the Pulitzer Fountain to Cleopatra's Needle, decode eight ciphers hidden across the park's most iconic landmarks and piece together Frederick Law Olmsted's secret blueprint before it's lost forever. Blending real 19th-century history with an immersive conspiracy thriller, every stop reveals the true story of the site while advancing the intrigue. Augmented reality brings the clues to life, and professional audio narration is available in 32 languages. Start whenever you like, go at your own pace, and pause for photos along the way. No guide, no fixed schedule, no app to download — just open it on your phone and play. The perfect blend of sightseeing, storytelling and brain-teasing puzzles for curious explorers, couples, families and first-time visitors to New York City.
Inclusions
What's included
- GPS-guided digital map — no app download required
- No app download required — works instantly in any smartphone web browser
- Interactive puzzles and ciphers to solve
- Self-guided audio walking tour
- Augmented reality (AR) experiences at key landmarks
- Audio commentary in 32 languages
What's not
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
- Smartphone and headphones (bring your own)
Itinerary
Begin at the Pulitzer Fountain (1916), crowned by the bronze statue of Pomona, where Fifth Avenue meets the green threshold of Central Park. Here you receive your first cipher and uncover the legend of Olmsted's hidden blueprint, decoding the principle of LIBERTAS to set the mystery in motion.
Cross the elegant cast-iron Bow Bridge spanning the Lake. You take in one of the park's most romantic views and decode the principle of PAX.
Descend to Bethesda Terrace, the architectural heart of the park, crowned by the Angel of the Waters fountain. You examine its carved details and solve the cipher of MEMORIA.
Wind through the Ramble, a 36-acre woodland wilderness of winding paths. You follow the trail of clues to reveal the principle of VERITAS hidden in Olmsted's wild landscape.
At The Dairy, a Victorian Gothic cottage now serving as a visitor center, you explore Olmsted's vision of nature as a refuge for the city and crack the clue tied to the principle of NATURA.
Stroll the Mall, Central Park's grand elm-lined promenade, beneath the statues of Literary Walk. You decode the principle of CONCORDIA while uncovering the social harmony Olmsted designed into this democratic gathering place.
Climb to Belvedere Castle, perched on Vista Rock with sweeping views over the park. From this commanding lookout you uncover the principle of REFUGIUM.
Conclude at The Obelisk (Cleopatra's Needle), New York's oldest outdoor monument. You decode the final principle, SPES, and assemble the eight Latin words into VIRTUS — completing Olmsted's secret blueprint.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- The Pulitzer Fountain stands at Grand Army Plaza, on 5th Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets, at the southeast entrance of Central Park. This is a self-guided audio experience simply arrive here and start the tour on your phone. No guide will meet you.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- OddballTrip
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
How it compares in New York City
- Its from-price is 84% below the median of the 2673 experiences we list in New York City.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About New York City
New York City packs skyscrapers, famous museums, Broadway theatres and dozens of distinct neighbourhoods into five boroughs that hum day and night.
Manhattan is the classic first stop. Times Square glows above the theatre district, Central Park stretches for blocks between the Upper East and Upper West Sides, and the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center define the midtown skyline. Downtown, the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street and the Brooklyn Bridge sit close together, and boats run out past the Statue of Liberty to Ellis Island.
Top-ranked sights in New York City: Statue of Liberty, Central Park, National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
Special offers in New York City
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
