Picnic Season in Central Park, New York 2025
Take a checkered blanket, some snacks, and enjoy the sun on the lush green lawn of Sheep Meadow
Best time: May–mid-October
If you're tired of the rush, the crowds, and you need to relax and restore your energy balance, a picnic is a perfect choice for you. Central Park is an oasis in the middle of the city that offers some great places to escape. One great place is the Great Lawn, which originally was a reservoir that once was filled in and transformed into a huge lawn. It's located in the center of the park, so it feels just like you're outside the city. Another wonderful place for a picnic is the Sheep Meadow, used in the 1960s and 70s for big concerts and demonstrations and later was turned into the park's first quiet zone. There's also the Great Hill, a heavily wooded area with picnic tables surrounded by elm trees. And let's not forget about the Belvedere Castle, which is arguably the most romantic place for a picnic. The season for picnicking usually begins in May and lasts till mid-October, so bring friends, snacks, blankets, and don't forget your sunglasses!