I think it’s safe to say that New Yorkers have a love-hate relationship with summer. Sure the weather is warmer and it’s the high season for rooftop happy hours and other outdoor activities, but the heat can be unbearable and the city gets a constant lovely, lingering scent of garbage. So while the city’s fortunate elite get to escape to more bearable locations out east, the rest of us get to enjoy the single greatest thing New York has to offer: Central Park!
Obviously there are a million things to do in the park, but in the dead of summer, the best Central Park activity is to grab a blanket, grab some refreshments, lather on the sunscreen, and have yourself a little picnic. You can sunbathe during the heat of the day, or get there around dusk for a nice happy hour or dinner on one of the many lawns. Here are the best areas of the park to snag the perfect picnic spot:
The Great Lawn (and surrounding smaller lawns)
This lawn is centrally located in the park, between 86th and 79th streets, and is constantly hosting tee-ball, soft-ball, and Little League games on its many baseball fields. It’s not called the Great Lawn for nothing: there are 55 acres in this one lawn, providing plenty of room for sunbathers and picnickers even between all of the action on the ball fields. The Great Lawn is usually packed on the weekends, and if you want shade you should get there early to grab one of the coveted spots under the few trees in this lawn. If shade is definitely more your thing, there are tons of surrounding lawns that are equally as great for picnics with more trees and more shade, but the grass isn’t quite as lush as the Great Lawn.
Sheep Meadow
One of the most popular lawns in the park, Sheep Meadow provides 15 acres of lovely grass lounging space, without the threat of a foul ball. This lawn used to be grazed by sheep, but now it’s one of the best places to throw down a blanket and hang out with friends while enjoying the summer weather. Sheep Meadow is lower in the park, on the west side between 65th and 69th, so it’s more inviting for those who might live downtown. There are only a few shady areas, mostly on the outer edges, making this a true hotspot for sunbathers during the day.
Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill is definitely one of the smaller areas to picnic, but the views are fantastic and the proximity to popular park tourist spots is extremely convenient. Located in the middle of the park at 72nd street, and a stone’s throw from both Bow Bridge and Bethesda Terrace, Cherry Hill offers views of the lake and the iconic Upper West Side buildings like the Dakota. In the spring, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and in the summer it’s a nice quiet patch of lawn to watch the tourists pass by.
Lawn at Turtle Pond
This lawn, just a stone’s throw south of the Great Lawn, deserves its own spot of recognition. Any spot in this lush grassy area offers views of Belvedere Castle from across Turtle Pond, and the slight elevation lets the best summer breezes blow through. Again, there isn’t much shade on this lawn, so my favorite time to go is in the evenings when it’s cooler. But on any given park day, this is where you’ll find me. It’s great for watching people walk along the path, play sports on the Great Lawn, or relax and enjoy the views of the castle and pond. It’s also right next to the Delacorte Theater, where they perform Shakespeare in the Park, so if you’re there at the right time you might even get to hear some of the action!
Benches along the Mall
Don’t have a picnic blanket? Luckily Central Park has literally thousands of benches to choose from. You don’t have to be sprawled out on the grass to have a good picnic; there are so many quiet corners of the park with the classic green benches that work just fine for bringing your own snacks and enjoying the time outside. One of the best areas of benches (in my opinion) is along the Mall, a long straight promenade shaded by American elm trees. It was quite literally designed to be a gathering place, an area to stroll, and a lively path to enjoy nature and take in the sights and sounds. It’s gorgeous in all seasons and is an iconic Central Park view. It is also located right near Bethesda Terrace, so it’s easy to find as well.
Grab your blankets, bring the snacks and sunscreen, and hit the park the next time you want to take advantage of the weather. Just make sure to dispose of all of your trash properly!
For more information on the many lawns and gathering places that Central Park has to offer, visit centralparknyc.org
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