The Dairy, Central Park – A Storybook Cottage & Visitor Center
With its pointed gables, painted woodwork and fairytale silhouette, the Dairy looks like a cottage lifted straight from a storybook. Tucked into the southern part of Central Park, this little Victorian Gothic building has one of the most charming histories in the whole park — and today it welcomes visitors as one of its information centres.
🥛 A real dairy for the city’s children
The Dairy was built in 1871 and, remarkably, it really was a dairy. In an era before refrigeration, when much of the milk sold in the city was unsafe, the park set out to provide fresh, wholesome milk to mothers and young children. Cows once grazed nearby, and families would come to the Dairy for a cup of clean milk and a rest in the fresh air — part of the park’s founding mission to improve city life.
🏰 Victorian Gothic charm
Designed by Calvert Vaux, one of the park’s original architects, the Dairy is a gem of Victorian Gothic design, complete with a delicate wooden loggia (an open porch) that was later restored. Its colourful, gingerbread-house appearance makes it one of the most photogenic small buildings in the park.
ℹ️ The park’s Visitor Center today
These days the Dairy serves as a Visitor Center, with information, maps and a small gift shop run by the Central Park Conservancy. It is a lovely, low-key stop to learn a little about the park’s history before continuing your tour.
🚲 The easiest way to visit
The Dairy sits mid-park near 65th Street, close to the Carousel, the Zoo and Wollman Rink. A pedicab brings you right to it and links it easily with the family-friendly landmarks all around.
✔ Perfect with the Central Park family pedicab tour
✔ See all tour options on the Central Park pedicab tour page
✔ Ready to go? Book your ride here
🗺️ What’s nearby
The Dairy sits among several of the park’s family favourites:
🎠 The Central Park Carousel — the historic merry-go-round, just steps away
🦭 Central Park Zoo — sea lions and the Delacorte Clock
⛸️ Wollman Rink — skyline skating in winter
❓ Frequently asked questions
Where is the Dairy in Central Park?
Mid-park near 65th Street, in the southern half of the park.
Was the Dairy really a dairy?
Yes — it was built in 1871 to serve fresh milk to city children and families in the days before safe, refrigerated milk.
Can you go inside?
Yes — it now serves as a Visitor Center with information, maps and a small gift shop.
What is the easiest way to see it?
A family pedicab tour brings you right to it and on to the nearby landmarks. Rides start at $30.
A fairytale cottage with a heartwarming history, the Dairy is a delightful little stop on a family pedicab tour of the park’s southern half. Book a Central Park pedicab tour from $30.