Great place to hang out on a summer day! I went there with my wife on her birthday. The boats usually cost $20 per hour and they keep a deposit of $20 which is returned when you return the boat on time and in good condition. The only thing is they accept cash only so none of these cards and mobile wallet payments work. The water is very dirty and looks toxic but there’s something about central park that makes me feel good. I couldn’t experience the whole lake as I am not an expert rower. But overall it was fun activity and the views from the middle of the lake is fun. You get to see many turtles around which was fun.

Big lake in the middle of Central Park. Does not feel like you are in the middle of Manhattan until you look up. Rowboats available for rent. Water is a really gross shade of green.

cially named the Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir – is located between 86th and 96th and covers a full one eight of the park’s surface. The 106-acre water body is 40 feet deep and holds over a billion gallons of water. Once a critical part of the city’s fresh water system it was disconnected as an active component since the new water tunnel was opened in 1991. It is probably best known now as home to the 1.58 mile running track that surrounds it. The reservoir is also currently the subject of a very public debate as several different plans are considered for its future; these include fishing piers, a marina, ball fields, restaurants and beaches. Hopefully the debate will rage on indefinitely and the current configuration will remain as it is. Built between 1858 and 1862 the current reservoir formed part of a system that included a colossal holding basin at 5th Ave. and 42nd St. (site of the present library) and a smaller body of water that existed just to the south on what is now the Great Lawn (the only part to still exist forms Turtle pind, at the foot of Vista Rock.)

Very peaceful within NewYork - love the park!

The Lake is a major body of water in Central Park – second in size (with a span of 20 acres). Alongside The Ramble, it was vital to the Greensward Plan, forming the heart and soul of Central Park. It was first designed as an ice-skating rink, and was used as such until the mid-1950s, when The Wollman Rink was created. However, The Lake’s main purpose is the same to this very day – boating. Hundreds of thousands visit Central Park each month with the sole purpose of getting into a boat and rowing in the heart of Manhattan. The removal of the rink benefited the wildlife in Central Park, bringing back multiple bird species that use it as a winter habitat. Boating is a religion, rivaling biking. You can rent a boat at the Loeb Boathouse. It fields a fleet of 100 boats. They can accommodate up to 4 passengers. The renting cost is $15 with a $20 deposit and a life jacket. Boating is a widely used for romantic dates because it allows you to escape the crowds. And the views form the middle of the lake towards the New York are exceptional. However, if you want to take your experience to the next level, then rent a gondola. Yes, like those in Venice. Actually they are a gift from the city of Venice, and are a huge it in the park. They cost $45 to rent for half an hour, and are so popular that I had to call and reserve one a week prior to my trip!

Central Park's Lake takes on a magical transformation in winter, turning into a serene wonderland where nature and the city's skyline harmonize in a breathtaking symphony. As temperatures drop and snow blankets the landscape, The Lake becomes a picturesque winter wonderland. The water's surface may freeze over, creating a pristine, icy expanse that reflects the surrounding trees and buildings. The combination of frozen waters, frosted trees, and the occasional snowfall paints a scene that's nothing short of enchanting. It's a photographer's dream, with every angle offering a postcard-perfect view. Despite being in the heart of a bustling city, the Lake in winter offers a sense of serenity. The hushed stillness, broken only by the crunch of snow underfoot, invites contemplation and relaxation. Depending on the weather conditions, you might spot ice skaters gracefully gliding across the frozen lake, adding a touch of romance to the setting. Nearby, the iconic Bow Bridge provides a stunning backdrop for winter strolls. Winter is also a great time for birdwatching, as you might catch a glimpse of ducks and other waterfowl that make the frozen lake their temporary home. Central Park's Lake in winter is a testament to the park's versatility and its ability to offer different experiences throughout the year. Whether you're seeking a peaceful escape or a snowy adventure, this wintry landscape is a five-star destination that showcases the harmony between nature and the city.

Second favorite lake of Central Park. The lake with the skyscraper in the backdrop captures the juxtaposing essence of Manhattan. There are small pergolas on the sides where you can see the peaceful lake, feed the turtles and the ducks. The lake keeps the city sane for sure.

August 2023 Spectacular lake. Beautiful. The colors of nature are reflected on the placid water. I recommend it for a bit of relaxation

‘The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am your King.’

Picturesque spot on the west side of Central Park. Fall colors were on full display.

I would highly recommend taking out a boat onto the lake and enjoying! It was such a fun and relaxing activity. It gives you a great view of the area and a good way to escape the city for a second. The service was good and you can't beat $20 for a hour. We had to give in a deposit which we got back since we came before the hour was up.

Nice little lake in central Park

The true heart of NYC, such a great walk.

The serpentine 20-acre (81,000 m2) Lake offers dense naturalistic planting, rocky outcrops of glacially scarred Manhattan bedrock, small open glades, and an artificial stream (the Gill) that empties through the Azalea Pond, then down a cascade into the Lake. At the northwestern corner of the Lake, the ground rises toward Vista Rock, crowned by a lookout and folly named Belvedere Castle. The western shore includes the Ladies' Shelter, the southern shore contains a waterfront porch called Bethesda Terrace, and the eastern shore contains the Loeb Boathouse.

Nice place to visit but long lines to rent a boat during the weekends!

Best things in life often come as free, this priceless view from the lake at Central Park is the prime example.

A beautiful relaxing area with a large stretch of water, great views of Midtown and plenty of nature.

A lake within the city, a place to disconnect.

All the surrounding areas are beautiful

If you go to Central Park, definitely worth checking out. During summertime, they also have pedal boating available. Nice views of midtown skyline.

The Lake is also another one of the highlights while visiting Central Park. There is tons of nice scenery all around the lake, but we would also highly recommend renting one of the row boats near the Bouthouse Basin and row your way around the lake for an hour or so. It's not very expensive to do and It's such a highly recommend, awesome experience that is a must do if you are visiting Central Park.

Turtles. Water. Rocks to climb. Good place to get engaged.

Paddling on the lake was extremely fun. The rental area is right by the Loeb Boathouse. They are very quick- first come first serve, $20 per boat (4 ppl max), $20 deposit that you get back if you take less than 1 hour paddling. If you take more, you lose the deposit but can stay out for a long time. It was unbelievably easy to get a boat, and the staff was kind. Nothing you have to sign, no long processes. The views are incredible and the boats are sturdy so no worries about bumping into things. Highly recommend!

Beautiful just like everywhere in Central Park

During rowboat hours, the congestion makes them like bumper cars. Good after the boat house closes.

So calm and beautiful... so nice and meditative. Pure zen.

The air is humid and warm, a kind thought that knows I feel loved by its touch on my skin, where it melts into me on a day like today that feels a little less than whole. I came to sit by the water, so maybe I could be the girl who sits by the water who, if you turned a close eye to the very center of her beating heart, has quiet peace and fullness. I wanted that instead of what I find in my center today- a hole, a little less than whole. Walking down a muddy side path, the ground was crossed with a snail’s silver remembering of time. Or maybe the silver was mica. The same sheets of silver I saw in the dream of my childhood- silver sheets of rock, a field making the sound of rain and clapping beneath my feet, curving like an iris against gray clouds, between which a lone kangaroo bridged the ground and the sky as it turned to look at me. The water’s surface moves like it’s raining, though it isn’t. I think about how rain falling into a pond is just water rejoining itself. The sun kisses my right side. A turtle’s shell is peeling off. The clouds open up windows of blue above the city. I settle more into the rock. Around me, there is what is. An elderly couple watches the turtles. Families glide green canoes across green glass, and their voices skim across the water like ice skims across ice. I have come during summer, and the flowers murmur in the breeze, reminding me to be slow and listen. And a lot of people have come to sit on this silver rock and look at the water like me. The city breathes beyond the tree edges. Pictures are taken, someone stumbles and laughs. I stand to go and the rock surface has left thoughts of a burnt red ocean on the backs of my thighs. I wonder if I’ve become more like the girl that I wanted to be when I arrived, someone whose heart has peace and quiet where mine has a hole (today). Maybe I have. Do I feel a little more full, has the hole sighed in upon itself for a moment? I don’t know. But it’s nice to sit for a moment, while other people have come here too. I’m sure they are thinking about whatever it is that lives at the center of their own quietly beating hearts, too.