Central Park extends from Fifth Avenue to Central Park West and 59th Street to 110th Street in over 6 miles of perimeter. With 136 acres of woodlands, 250 acres of lawns, and 150 acres of water, it’s no wonder visiting the Park in one day is physically impossible. Central Park is divided into four sections: South End, Great Lawn, The Reservoir, and North End. So where is the heart of Central Park? Only have a few hours to spare? Let Islandwoo Tips be your guide…
Conservatory “Model Boat” Pond
Entering the park on the east side between 72nd and 75th Streets, you will discover the Conservatory Pond. Named after the site’s original plans for a conservatory of tropical flowers, the pond was added and modeled after the model boat ponds of Paris. Today, you’ll find just that: radio-controlled model sail boats gliding across the water seeking your attention. Nearby you’ll find children climbing a bronze sculpture of “Alice in Wonderland.” Continuing due west from the pond is the famous Loeb Lake…
Loeb Boathouse
Lunch or dinner at the restaurant and cafe overlooking Loeb Lake, bike rentals, row boat / kayak rentals, and even an authentic Venetian gondola ride can all be experienced here at Loeb Boathouse.
Row boat and Kayak rentals: March through October, weather permitting: Daily 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. $12 first hour and $3 each additional 15 minutes, $30 cash deposit required; up to four people per boat. The lines can be long on a weekend afternoon so prepare early.
Bicycle Rental: $9 to $15 per hour; Must leave credit card, driver’s license or passport as deposit.
Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
In their master plan for Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux proposed an architectural “Heart of the Park” defined by a sweeping Promenade that would culminate in a Terrace overlooking Loeb Lake. They have accomplished just that with Bethesda Terrace where from the upper terrace, visitors can look across at the Lake; and from the lower terrace, sit around one of the most photographed fountains in the world, “Angel of the Waters” or Bethesda Fountain, as it is often called. Continuing south, the promenade or “the Mall” leads you to Naumburg Bandshell and nearby Roller Skating…
Roller Skating (Disco Skating)
The “skate circle” is home to some serious roller skating / dancing! Open to the public, roller skaters not only skate in a circle, they dance (on skates) to disco music! Look out for some outrageous costumes and synchronized dancing. The video below captures the spirit of an afternoon in the skate circle.
Beach Volleyball
You heard me right. Just south of the “skate circle,” an elevated beach volleyball court with sand! is part of three volleyball courts bordering Sheep Meadow on the east. Surprisingly beach volleyball (with imported sand) can also be played at the Water Taxi Beach across the river in Queens. No shoes, shirts optional and open to the public.
Sheep Meadow
This 15 acre lush meadow was indeed once inhabited by sheep from 1864 until 1934. Today it is one of New York’s best places to relax with a blanket with friends or loved ones. You’ll find kites and frisbees flying, guitars playing, and much much more. Whatever the activity, New Yorkers love to relax and sunbathe on this over-sized piece of heaven. Did you know that the first landing on the moon was televised to a large crowd at Sheep Meadow in 1969?!
Islandwoo’s quick 30 second video recap…
Experience more:
Music of Central Park
Running in Central Park
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