I adore New York’s Central Park. Like so many Manhattanites, I used to jog around its Reservoir after work, listen to opera and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra while picnicking on the Sheep Meadow with friends, and get my cute animal fix at the Central Park Zoo. On dates with my now-husband, we’d go for long walks to yet-undiscovered corners of the park. Because, really, is there anyplace in New York City as romantic as Central Park? Jane Fonda ran Barefoot in the Park with Robert Redford. Michelle Pfeiffer frolicked in the rain with George Clooney on One Fine Day. When Harry Met Sally for a stroll, the leaves were golden in the autumn light. And I know I’m not the only one who shed a tear when Kate Beckinsale tossed her glove to John Cusack in a moment of perfect Serendipity.
So on our latest jaunt to the Big Apple, we spent as much time wandering around Central Park as we could, in spite of the freezing temperatures. One morning even a heavy sleet couldn’t keep us away! Here are some of my favorite scenes, from the skaters at Wollman Rink and often-whimsical statues to the gracefully curved branches of the American elms and now-quiet ponds covered with ice.
Have you been to Central Park? Which wintry scene is your favorite?
Love your photos! I never lived on the UES or UWS so I didn’t spend as much time at the park as I would have liked when I lived in NYC, but it always tempted me for a walk through when I was up that way.
The day after I moved to Manhattan, I got up early, bought a bagel and ate it on a bench in Central Park. After that, I was hooked. I could even see a tiny corner of Central Park from my bedroom window!
Ahhh. Central Park is beautiful all year round and easy to see that if we only take the time to stop and look. Great captures. Thanks.
Thanks, Maria! I almost prefer the Park in winter because it’s so much more peaceful and at times (like in heavy sleet), there is almost no one else around.
Oh I hear you Heather. At moments like that I feel as if it’s ALL MINE and that’s delicious. *grin*
Funny, I’ve never actually *been* to Central Park, but I’ve seen it in so many movies, it feels like I’ve actually been there. Parks in Vietnam are nice, but not really somewhere I’d wander around in… There’s an undeveloped field by my new house and it has banana trees in it. Does that count?
Absolutely! What I wouldn’t give to wander around an empty field with banana trees in 90 degree weather right about now. This Polar Vortex nonsense is for the birds!
Beautiful photos, Heather. You wonderfully captured the winterly atmosphere. I have only been to NYC and Central Park once and that was back in 1992 so it is a long time ago, but as others have written already through the movies it becomes quite familiar.
Thank you, Vanessa! It is amazing how familiar a place can feel even before you’ve actually been there. As I told another commentator, Central Park was the very first place I went after I finished moving into my Manhattan apartment. I was drawn to it, thanks in part to the movies I mentioned in the post. It’s still my favorite spot in the city, all these years later.
I love walking around New York City. Took my sisters there some years ago and enjoyed the carriage ride through Central Park. I would love to go back with you sometime now that you know how to search out all the good places to eat 🙂 Great photos!
We certainly saw a lot of the city on your visits, but I’d love for us to do it again! We’ll have to plan a girls weekend 🙂
Seriously, my favorite spot in all of NYC! I love the capture of the ice cracking just a bit, so beautiful! I try to take a stroll here every day with my chihuahua, although he’s not been a big fan of the current weather;-)
Well, I can’t say I blame him. That NYC wind can be brutal. But there isn’t much that could keep me away from the park – it’s my favorite spot in the city too! The hubby kept trying to rush me when it was sleeting but I dragged my heels. It was just so peaceful and gorgeous!
I love your photos of Central Park in the winter. In the last couple of years I have been there for spring and fall…maybe winter is next! The park is stunning at any time of the year..I am envious of those that can see it all year around!
Thanks, Jenny! I do love Central Park in the fall, though I always seem to miss the leaves at their peak. When I lived on the UWS, I could see a tiny sliver of the park from my bedroom window – and that privilege was worth every penny I paid in rent 🙂
Beautiful pictures! We visited NYC in 2012 but didn’t make a point to enter central park. Looking at these pictures makes me feel that we did miss out! Oh well, I hope it’s a good enough reason to return 🙂
Any reason is a good one to return to NYC! 🙂 I do hope you get to visit the Park on your next visit. It’s amazing that such a peaceful green space can exist amid all the bustle!
I love the frozen pond!
Central Park in winter is the next place on my NYC photography list. I think I might wait till it’s not quite SO wintery, though. I’m still recovering from my Prospect Park ramble. (It would help if I had gloves I didn’t need to take off to change the settings on my camera! . . . or if I wasn’t such a wuss about cold.)
I said the same thing to myself about the gloves when I was taking those Central Park photos. The frustrating thing is that my mom gave me a nice pair of fingerless gloves with mitten covers for Christmas and I completely forgot to pack them for the trip!
Whoah, did someone just install a new theme? It’s really nice. Like the feeling of the open road or open possibilities. And Central Park dazzled me when I got to NYC. so your pics remind me of how much I liked it.
Yeah, I stumbled on another blog using my old theme and realized it was much too generic looking. I like this much better, though no nearly as much as your beautiful new design 🙂
Great post! I love NYC!
An iconic place that really lives up to its name. It really is a sanctuary in the city. Great captures here, Heather! Must have been lovely to experience it with fewer people around!
Sanctuary is a great descriptor – it’s such a nice reprieve from the bustle of the city. I always feel much calmer after a walk 🙂
Hey great photos! I have always wanted to visit the US in winter and experience a white Christmas. I am from Australia and that time of year is stinking hot!
Thanks, Luke! Winter in the northeastern corner of the US can certainly be beautiful. But when you’ve experienced enough snow and freezing temps, a stinking hot Christmas sounds pretty good! 🙂
Central Park is such a beautiful place during the winter. Walking through the park and sitting on a bench is very relaxing. Skating at the ice rink is so much fun as well.
I agree, I love how quiet and peaceful the park is in winter!