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The Lake

The lake is a fine setting for a serene afternoon in the park. Rental boats are available from the Loeb Boathouse (on the eastern side of the lake) for a ride on the water. The Bow Bridge, a Central Park landmark, spans the middle of the lake.

Price: Free; boats are available for rental, $15/hour

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Manhattan/Central Park, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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Strawberry Fields
So named in 1981 in memory of John Lennon, the former Beatle, who was murdered close by outside his home in the Dakota building. Lennon's widow Yoko Ono, who still lives in the Dakota, subsequently donated $1 million to upgrade the area with hundreds of tree and flower species, including strawberries. The area serves as a Garden of Peace and includes a memorial floor mosaic (donated by the Italian city of Naples) that says simply "Imagine", referring to the title of one of Lennon's evocative songs.
SeeCentral Park
Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
One of Manhattan's favorite meeting points, the centerpiece of this Terrace is the Angel of the Waters fountain, dedicated in 1873 and an enduring icon of the park.
EatCentral Park
The Boathouse
Held in the Loeb Boathouse on the Lake, the Boathouse includes a sit-down restaurant with tables overlooking the lake, a sit-down bar area outside, and an express cafe with counter service for quick takeout and eat-in food.
Cafe: daily 8AM–8PM (winter 8AM-4:30PM). Outdoor bar: April–November daily 11AM-11PM (weather permitting). Restaurant: lunch Mon-Fri noon-4PM; brunch Sat Sun 9:30AM-4PM; dinner April–November Mon-Fri 5:30PM-9:30PM, Sat Sun 6PM-9:30PM
SeeUpper West Side
Dakota Building
This massive apartment building has been (and is!) home to many celebrities. Probably best known was the former Beatle John Lennon, who was gunned down outside the building on December 8, 1980, by a crazed fan. Lennon had been living at the Dakota with his second wife, Yoko Ono, who still resides in the building. A memorial to the former Beatle exists nearby in Central Park. The building has become a popular place of pilgrimage for many who admire Lennon.