boathouse
Enjoy an unforgettable experience at Central Park's landmark restaurant.
As of March 4th, 2024, the Central Park Boathouse (formerly Loeb) has fully reopened after upgrades and renovations.
You can now dine indoors for lunch and dinner daily, or at the outdoor cafe on the building's north side from 8 AM to 5 PM, which offers pretty green scenery. Meals are ordered and picked up from a window counter. As the weather warms up, "Dockside Dining" will also be offered to eat outdoors at the restaurant.
The Boathouse offers boat rentals from April to November (weather permitting), which are available by walk-up only and card only or Apple Pay. The new management is planning to move the boat rental service online soon, making it possible to make reservations.
Gondola rides are temporarily suspended until further notice.
History
Recognizing the need for a boathouse at the Lake, Calvert Vaux designed such a wooden structure, which lasted from 1873 until 1954. Vaux's beautiful, two-story, Victorian edifice was eventually torn down, though its original purpose was carried out by its replacement (currently named the Central Park Boathouse).
Carl M. Loeb opened the new brick and limestone Boathouse in 1954. In addition to its traditional boat-related functions, it also serves as a place to eat and drink. With the option of indoor or lakeside seating, the Boathouse Restaurant is an excellent choice for a relaxing evening spent admiring the beauty of the Park while dining.
Private events, such as conferences or weddings, are also commonly held at the Boathouse.