Water Guide to NYC's Central Park
A Traveler's Guide to the Must-See Pond and Lake of Central Park
With a variety of bodies of water throughout Central Park, which ones should a tourist be sure to see?
Throughout the over 800 acres of parkland that make up Central Park, there is an abundance of activities to be done and attractions to see. For tourists who don’t have a lot of time, there are some highlights of the park that should not be missed. Among those highlights are the various small ponds and lakes. Two specific bodies of water are The Pond and The Lake. While all the waters of Central Park are worthy of a visit, these two tend to be visited more often by out-of-towners.
The Pond
With waters so calm that they are often glassy, reflecting the lush trees surrounding the small body of water, and the picturesque, ivy-covered Gapstow Bridge completing the idyllic setting, the Pond in the southeast corner of New York’s Central Park is like something straight out of a fairy tale.
What to Do There
The pond creates the perfect setting for a picnic or just a quiet place to read on a warm summer’s day. Because the area is surrounded by trees, the hustle and bustle of the city is nearly forgotten if not for the looming apartment and office towers that lurk behind the nearby trees.
There is a small and easily accessible lawn on the eastern bank of the pond, perfect for laying down a blanket or sheet to picnic off of or just to sit on to read. The lawn has plenty of trees to block out the sunshine if shade is what you’re seeking.
How to Get There
The Pond sits tucked right into the southeast corner of the park. The nearest intersection, if arriving by car, is Fifth Avenue and Central Park South. If arriving by subway, the nearest station is 5th Ave. Station, which caters to the N, R and W subway lines.
The Lake
Stretching approximately five city blocks, The Lake spreads across 22 acres of mid-Central Park. The Lake was expanded from an original swamp lake which was in its place before landscaping took place to make Central Park what it is today.
What to Do There
Before the construction of Wollman Rink in the 1950s, a skating rink just south of The Lake, the water was used for ice skating in the winter time. Now, The Lake is popular for row boating during the summer months. Row boats are available for rent from the Loeb Boathouse, which is located at the northeastern end of The Lake. Boats currently cost $10 for the first hour and $2.50 for each 15 minutes after that with a $30 deposit. For a different kind of boat ride, take a gondola ride – New York style. Gondola rides on The Lake cost $30 per half-hour.
The Loeb Boathouse also rents bicycles, prices range from $9 to $15 per hour. Also at the boathouse, is the famous Boathouse Restaurant which serves lunch year-round and dinner between the months of April and November. There is also a fast food restaurant that serves food until late afternoon.
How to Get There
The Lake sits in the centre of Central Park and is accessible by Terrace Drive and Olmstead Drive, two traverses which run between East and West 72nd Street. The closest subway station is 72nd Street station which services the B and C subway lines.
While there are other bodies of water within the boundaries of Central Park, such as the Turtle Pond, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir and the Conservatory Water, which is famous for model sailboats, the Pond, and the Lake are generally the most popularly visited ones by tourists to the city.
