Pilgrim Hill is located near the Conservatory Water by 72nd Street off of Fifth Avenue. During the winter months, if Central Park receives 6 inches of snow, it is a favorite sledding spot among locals due to its steepness and then gentle denouement. In late spring and summer, Pilgrim Hill is popular for picnics, lounging and birthday celebrations. There are two cafes nearby, around the model boat pond, that are convenient to pick up food and drinks.
In spring, there are also many beautiful Yoshino Cherry trees to be found around Pilgrim Hill. In the original plans for the Park, Olmsted did not want to use flowering trees, since he believed the trees would distract the visitors from the expansive views. This was ignored, however, and groves of magnolias, cherry and crab apple trees were planted throughout the park. Subsequently these have become a much beloved attraction.
Pilgrim Hill received its name from the statue (pictured here), sculpted and cast in bronze by John Quincy Adams Ward, which was donated in 1885 by the New England Society. The statue stands on a knoll overlooking the East Drive at 72nd Street, and has a westward view of Central Park. On the backside is the hill that overlooks the model boat pond. The statue's pedestal was created by Richard Morris Hunt.