One of New York City's most photographed traditions is on borrowed time. In October 2026, the New York City Council passed legislation phasing out the horse-drawn carriage rides that have trundled through Central Park for more than 150 years. Riders have until June 1, 2028 to take a final lap past the park's familiar movie-scene backdrops.
The new measure, dubbed Romanch's Law, is named for 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who died in June 2026 after jumping from a carriage to help his mother, who had been thrown from the ride. Council Speaker Julie Menin called the death tragic and preventable, and pointed to decades of accumulating concerns beyond the accident itself.
Animal welfare has shadowed the industry almost from the start. The ASPCA was founded back in 1866 largely in response to the mistreatment of carriage horses in New York, and critics have long argued that working animals shouldn't be navigating traffic and hauling passengers through summer heatwaves and winter freezes. Former mayors Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams both tried and failed to push through bans during their terms — this council finally got it over the line, citing safety, animal welfare and simply too many bodies competing for space in the park.
Reactions are split. Some visitors told Reuters the carriages are part of what makes Central Park feel like Central Park, while locals expressed relief — some out of sympathy for the horses, others for less sentimental reasons, like no longer dodging what the horses leave behind. The city says it will guarantee retired horses aren't sold for slaughter and is preparing a transition plan for drivers, including possible compensation.
For travellers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: if a carriage ride is on your New York bucket list, book it before June 2028. After that, the experience is gone for good.
The good news is that Central Park doesn't lose its charm without the horses. Pedicab tours remain a popular way to roll past the landmarks in the open air, with a driver doing the pedalling while you take in the sights. If it's the romantic angle you're after, rowing on the Central Park Lake is arguably an even better version of the same idea — you can rent a boat and paddle beneath Bow Bridge and past the historic boat landings and Bethesda Terrace, all at your own pace. And given the park is the most filmed location on earth, recreating a favourite movie moment is still very much possible on foot.
Whether you see this as the end of an era or long-overdue progress, the change is real and dated. Plan your trip accordingly.
