When it gets too hot to picnic out on the Great Lawn or Sheep Meadow, or when you want to exercise but it’s too hot to run the Reservoir or the loop, you can still enjoy the great outdoors and be safe in the hot weather.
Below are some of our suggestions on where to cool off in Central Park, or even where to find shelter during a summer downpour.
Lasker Pool
1. Outdoor pool hours are from 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m., with a break for pool cleaning between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Early bird and night owl lap swim hours is available at this pool. Information can be found here. The pool is located at 110th Street & Lenox Avenue.
Row Boat or Venetian Gondola around The Lake
2. Rent a boat at the Loeb Boathouse and row your way to the heart of the Central Park Lake, the second-largest body of water in Central Park that spans over 22-acres.The Loeb Boathouse has a fleet of 100 boats, each of which seats up to four people. Renting is ideal as a date activity, a wedding proposal, and also great for a picnic with friends. Too hot to row? Rent the Venetian Gondola and have someone do the rowing for you.
Central Park Zoo
3. Head to the Central Park Zoo. A walk around the Zoo’s five plus acres will take you through a variety of habitats, all carefully designed to recreate the natural environment of the animals that it houses. The zoo offers classes for kids of all ages - interactive classes that include live animal encounters and offer unique experience for guests at the various zoo exhibits. Classes are held on weekdays and weekends, as well as school holidays.
Belvedere Castle
4. Named for the Italian meaning "beautiful view," Central Park's Belvedere Castle offers park goers exactly what its name implies. With its two balconies, it supplies wonderful panoramic views that include some of Central Park's most beautiful and famous landmarks: the Delacorte Theater, the Great Lawn, the Turtle Pond and the Ramble. Head inside and climb up the steps as it shelters you from the heat and gives you the most amazing views.
Carousel
5. About 250,000 people take a ride on the Central Park Carousel every year. One can always catch a breeze while riding on a horse or one of the carriages. Location: Mid-Park at 64th Street. $3 per ride (cash only). Open 10:00am - 6:00pm. If you work up an appetite, the Ballplayers' House is next to the carousel and the Heckscher Ballfields. This café serves sandwiches, burgers and other snacks. You can sit outside and watch a ballgame on a Sunday morning or listen to the sweet sounds of kids as they enjoy the carousel. The Ballplayers' House is located mid-park at 65th St.
Bethesda Terrace
6. Another great place to escape the heat is the Bethesda Terrace area, which includes the fountain as well as a covered passageway. A breeze can usually be found here along with musicians and other entertainers. It also offers great views of the fountain as well as an opportunity to take unique stylized photos.
The Mall
7. The stairs under the Bethesda Terrace will lead you to the Mall, and at the southern end, the Literary Walk. In summer, the path is shaded by giant Elms that offer a natural umbrella from the rays of the sun and light summer showers. One can usually find a host of musicians, artists and entertainers. It was designed to be an open air hall of reception.
Chess and Checkers House
8. This structure was built in 1952 and offers outside as well as inside tables that attract players of all ages. During the summer months, the Chess and Checkers House offers classes to kids of all levels. Built up on a hill, it also offers great views of Central Park and Central Park South. If you have a few minutes it’s a great place to take a break from the sun and watch a match or two.
The Dairy
9. The Dairy was built in 1870 at the southern end on the park - originally called the children's section - to provide milk and snacks for children in the cool and relaxing atmosphere near the Pond. Today it is both an information center and a gift shop. It’s a great choice to beat the heat or a summer shower.
The Loch
10. Another great place to cool off is the area that surrounds The Loch, which is located in the North Woods. The North Woods is a favorite spot of birdwatchers and hikers alike. Due to the thickness of the trees, there is always plenty of shade, and sure to be a breeze on a hot summer day. The Central Park Loch extends from 102nd to 106th Street.
The Loch was part of the original plans for Central Park and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. The stream is dammed in several places to create three magnificent cascades, which was and is still considered a feat in engineering. The Loch, Scottish for "lake," is partially fed by a natural watercourse, known in the 17th and 18th centuries as Montayne's Rivulet. The Loch was intended to be a larger lake at the time of its construction, but has, over time, reverted back into a stream. This part of the park offers peace and tranquility to those who come across it. The Loch is bordered by Huddlestone Arch to the north and Glen Span Arch to the south. Huddlestone Arch is constructed of huge Manhattan schist boulders that are held together by gravity alone. The Loch, flows beside the pathway under both bridges.