Bethesda Terrace
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I never knew the fountain in Home Alone was called the Bethesda Fountain. I'd not been here since college, and it's just as magical I remembered it. Thank goodness for my friend who loves this spot so we walked here, and i have such an appreciation for the spot. The Terrace itself has 16,000 tiles and was built during the civil war! The tiles and archways are stunning, and intricate design everywhere. There was an amazing live musician the the views from outside, inside topside (there's a second floor - but it really smelled like pee as there are public restrooms here). It's a large space and pretty central inside the park. It's an iconic feature inside the park, a must stop!
Making a stop here at Bethesda Terrace never gets old. This is such a beautiful area of Central Park. Bethesda Terrace and the Fountain are a popular gathering space for Central Park visitors. It is located at the northern end of the Mall and overlooks the Ramble and the Lake. Bethesda Terrace has been showcased in several movies and TV shows. The Bethesda Fountain with its water lilies floating in the water is one of the prettiest fountains that I have ever seen. It is a very large circular pool with all sorts of aquatic plants in it. The "Angel of the Waters" bronze statue in the center was designed by Emma Stebbins and was unveiled in 1873. It is inspired by the biblical story of the healing of the disabled man at Bethesda in the Gospel of John. I love sitting at the edge of the fountain and listening to the water flowing out of it. There is usually some aspiring musician playing music nearby or someone making giant bubbles for kids to run through on the plaza. The Bethesda Terrace is two levels with two grand staircases. On the lower level is a passageway that goes through an arcade that leads to a central stairway. It was designed by architect Calvert Vaux and his assistant in the 1860's. My favorite part of walking through the arcade underneath the street are the thousands of encaustic tiles on the ceiling. The colorful geometric patterns on the tiles make it a beautiful area to walk through and enjoy. I have seen a number of professional photoshoots take place in this passageway over the years.
One of my favorite places in Central Park but I've never reviewed it!? My friend and I visited a few weeks ago when we were in NYC for a long weekend, and I guess it was the first time I'd been in years! The Bethesda Terrace is two levels, so don't forget to check out both. From the upper level, what a view of the Bethesda Fountain and the lake! And great people watching, too! Down the staircase and in the lower level, you can find the Arcade, which showcases the famous Bethesda tiles. There are 16,000 tiles on the ceiling of the Arcade, which create 49 panels and patterns. If you're spending some time exploring Central Park, don't miss this special and iconic feature of the park.
If there's one portion of Central Park that I think you should visit, it's Bethesda Terrace. The acoustics are fun to listen to, especially when someone is playing an instrument. There is a lot of people watching to do. This last time we saw people cosplaying and it was really funny. The fountain is gorgeous and must have its picture taken. Its close to the boathouse, so you can rent a foot peddle boat/dingy to ride around in. Its also close to the Literary walk which is another must do location with a lot of people watching. Enjoy this park!!!
I've been to Central Park every time I visited NYC, but this was the first time I want to the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain -- and it was like something out of a Hallmark movie. My husband is from Hawaii and has never seen snow before, and out of nowhere a snow flurry happened right when we walked out from under the beautifully tiled Terrace as "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" was played by a very talented musician. It was a literal main character moment. We'll never forget it! This is a special place.
I absolutely LOVE the fountain and terrace arched-walkway. This place has, of course, been featured in numerous movies and tv shows, but even though it was mildly overrun by people the afternoon I visited, you can still find your own little spot to take it all in. The murals and ceilings under the archway are absolutely spectacular! I felt like I was in an abandoned ballroom of some renaissance-era chateau... Whether you're visiting Central Park for the first time or it's your umpteenth-time, this place should always a must-stop!
A beautiful spot in Central Park! The terrace overlooks a fountain and has a breathtaking tunnel underneath with the most amazing ceiling. I loved it here, so much so that I visited twice. Once in the morning and once at night. Since it was February, there was no one at night so it was a bit sad. In the day however, it's great! Performers, people blowing giant bubbles, fun people watching. I think in the summer it would be nice whenever though!
11 days ago
Bethesda Terrace - Bethesda Terrace is one of the most beautiful places I visited in Central Park. I really like the combination of elegant architecture, magnificent staircases, graceful arches, and the pleasant atmosphere that fills the area throughout the day. Street performers and musicians often perform here, adding a unique charm to the setting. I also appreciate the beautiful views of Bethesda Fountain and the surrounding park. Despite the large number of visitors, the place feels peaceful and harmonious. read more
7 days ago
It's a great Terrace that filmed for many movies. Unfortunately when we're here, the fountain was off and there's not much going on here. I would say come during holidays season when it filled with people and vendors with lights and music. Still it looks nice without much going on. read more
The Bethesda Terrace is a large plaza consisting of two levels, and it's got really packed during the peak hours or raining days. I definitely suggest visiting, but better come when less crowded for an uninterrupted experience. read more
I never knew the fountain in Home Alone was called the Bethesda Fountain. I'd not been here since college, and it's just as magical I remembered it. Thank goodness for my friend who loves this spot so we walked here, and i have such an appreciation for the spot. The Terrace itself has 16,000 tiles and was built during the civil war! The tiles and archways are stunning, and intricate design everywhere. There was an amazing live musician the the views from outside, inside topside (there's a second floor - but it really smelled like pee as there are public restrooms here). It's a large space and pretty central inside the park. It's an iconic feature inside the park, a must stop! read more
Making a stop here at Bethesda Terrace never gets old. This is such a beautiful area of Central Park. Bethesda Terrace and the Fountain are a popular gathering space for Central Park visitors. It is located at the northern end of the Mall and overlooks the Ramble and the Lake. Bethesda Terrace has been showcased in several movies and TV shows. The Bethesda Fountain with its water lilies floating in the water is one of the prettiest fountains that I have ever seen. It is a very large circular pool with all sorts of aquatic plants in it. The "Angel of the Waters" bronze statue in the center was designed by Emma Stebbins and was unveiled in 1873. It is inspired by the biblical story of the healing of the disabled man at Bethesda in the Gospel of John. I love sitting at the edge of the fountain and listening to the water flowing out of it. There is usually some aspiring musician playing music nearby or someone making giant bubbles for kids to run through on the plaza. The Bethesda Terrace is two levels with two grand staircases. On the lower level is a passageway that goes through an arcade that leads to a central stairway. It was designed by architect Calvert Vaux and his assistant in the 1860's. My favorite part of walking through the arcade underneath the street are the thousands of encaustic tiles on the ceiling. The colorful geometric patterns on the tiles make it a beautiful area to walk through and enjoy. I have seen a number of professional photoshoots take place in this passageway over the years. read more
One of my favorite places in Central Park but I've never reviewed it!? My friend and I visited a few weeks ago when we were in NYC for a long weekend, and I guess it was the first time I'd been in years! The Bethesda Terrace is two levels, so don't forget to check out both. From the upper level, what a view of the Bethesda Fountain and the lake! And great people watching, too! Down the staircase and in the lower level, you can find the Arcade, which showcases the famous Bethesda tiles. There are 16,000 tiles on the ceiling of the Arcade, which create 49 panels and patterns. If you're spending some time exploring Central Park, don't miss this special and iconic feature of the park. read more
4 years ago
If there's one portion of Central Park that I think you should visit, it's Bethesda Terrace. The acoustics are fun to listen to, especially when someone is playing an instrument. There is a lot of people watching to do. This last time we saw people cosplaying and it was really funny. The fountain is gorgeous and must have its picture taken. Its close to the boathouse, so you can rent a foot peddle boat/dingy to ride around in. Its also close to the Literary walk which is another must do location with a lot of people watching. Enjoy this park!!! read more
I've been to Central Park every time I visited NYC, but this was the first time I want to the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain -- and it was like something out of a Hallmark movie. My husband is from Hawaii and has never seen snow before, and out of nowhere a snow flurry happened right when we walked out from under the beautifully tiled Terrace as "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" was played by a very talented musician. It was a literal main character moment. We'll never forget it! This is a special place. read more
1 year ago
Beautiful music played by Carlos, who's been a fixture here under the Terrance for years. There is a melancholic atmosphere when you pass by listening to him string lyrics together on a damp spring evening with low flow of patrons. I love this. The cool breeze. The music. The fog. All of it. read more
Gorgeous! Great spot for a pics!! Took me at least 20 mins to walk to the fountain from the entrance. If I was prepared to jog I could've cut that time in half lol. Well worth the walk with the stunning views and calm lake behind the fountain. Enjoy!! read more
I absolutely LOVE the fountain and terrace arched-walkway. This place has, of course, been featured in numerous movies and tv shows, but even though it was mildly overrun by people the afternoon I visited, you can still find your own little spot to take it all in. The murals and ceilings under the archway are absolutely spectacular! I felt like I was in an abandoned ballroom of some renaissance-era chateau... Whether you're visiting Central Park for the first time or it's your umpteenth-time, this place should always a must-stop! read more
This place was AMAZING. from the "tunnel" to the fountain to the lake. It was just breathtaking for this old man from small town west Texas. I just wish we'd had those chairs we sit in for hours at our granddaughter's softball games. I'd have stayed here all day. read more
8 years ago
A beautiful spot in Central Park! The terrace overlooks a fountain and has a breathtaking tunnel underneath with the most amazing ceiling. I loved it here, so much so that I visited twice. Once in the morning and once at night. Since it was February, there was no one at night so it was a bit sad. In the day however, it's great! Performers, people blowing giant bubbles, fun people watching. I think in the summer it would be nice whenever though! read more
Bethesda Terrace is considered the heart of Central Park. The Angel of the Waters statue atop the Bethesda Fountain is the 1860s masterpiece of lesbian sculptor Emma Stebbins and was the earliest public artwork by a woman in New York City. The Fountain is also a celebrity in its own right. It has probably appeared in more movies than any other monument in the park. Pros: -------- Free Great for photoshoots Great place to spend time with family Lot of food vendors read more
This has got to be one of the world's most famous fountains! The actual name of the fountain is Angel of the Waters & was the only sculpture commissioned during the original design of Central Park. The sculptor was Emma Stebbins, the first woman to receive a commission for a major public work in NYC! She sculpted it in Rome; it was cast in Munich in 1868 & was installed in its current location in 1873. read more
If you're in Central Park and taking a stroll, you have GOT to come by here. It's a small terrace, but definitely worth the view. There's usually people nearby playing music and when the weather is nice, it's the place to be. I've seen wedding photos taken here, and I can't even blame them. I would probably do the same thing to be honest :) It's a very simple place, but definitely worth it. Also the art on the walls and ceilings is beautiful. Come here! read more
Bethesda Terrace is one of the centerpieces of Central Park. It's in front of a massive fountain. This offers some of the best views. A lot of activities happen around it. This is close to many other good areas in Central Park. It consists of a massive amount of bricks. It's best known feature is the giant fountain. This features an angel statue in the middle. Along with the fountain is a pool the water falls back into. It's pretty to watch, and there's lots of good spots waiting for it to splash on you. Finding it isn't that bad. It's located near 72nd Street transverse road. The road goes right through the park, it's on the north side. read more
A location in so many movies, this spot in Central Park wasn't how I pictured it would be. Coming from the south you enter thru a Italian style "tunnel ". This are was so unexpected and beautiful- fresco walls, stone arches, Roman paved flooring and the Minton encaustic tiles of that panel the ceiling. At the end of the walk you come the plaza where the beautiful tall angel statue perched on a fountain and watching over the park. The statue was created in the mid 1800's by Emma Stebbins. The angel has four four-foot cherubs representing Temperance, Purity, Health, and Peace at her feet. This is a fabulous area to take a break, sit, and people watch. So pencil in some kick back time and maybe even a picnic here while strolling thru the park. read more
Thank you Bing Images for suggesting this place! It was a super cold windy day when I visited, yet so many people were here and taking photos. An accordion player, sitting near the fountain made this day all the more magical. I'll have to come back on a warmer day and experience this all over again! read more
This place is lovely and so easy to get to. Make for to hang around long enough to hear people sing. I was so moved by two singers who showed up while I was there. The setting and acoustics are just phenomenal. I don't think they were professional singers but they stopped most people in their tracks. read more
7 years ago
If you've watched Gossip Girl and don't know what this place is, are you even a fan?! Bethesda Terrace is absolutely stunning. From the minute you descend down the stairs, pass the little fountain, and make your way down below, you can't help but feel in awe. It can get crowded, but what do you expect when you are in Central Park? The art is a vision. No picture can do this place justice. read more
After putting up with my shenanigans at the Nintendo World Store in Rockefeller Center, I walked with my girlfriend to Bethesda Terrace at Central Park. From Rockefeller Center, the walk took about 45 minutes (about 1.5 miles with stops and detours). Bethesda Terrace is located at the heart of Central Park. It consists of two levels, the lower of which features the centerpiece fountain, Bethesda Fountain. When people come to Central Park, they like to take pictures here and at the adjacent Mall, the wide, elm-lined, north-south walkway that leads to the terrace. The terrace opened in the 1860s and is made of sandstone, brick, and granite. The lower passage is probably the coolest part of the terrace to me. It's open-air with numerous archways and very intricate and ornate designs on its wall and ceiling panels. The weekend we visited was the same weekend as New York Comic Con. There was a cosplaying couple singing to a large audience inside the lower passage. I didn't recognize who they were cosplaying, but it looked very fantasy-like (elves or something). We also passed some anime-looking cosplayers who had just finished a photo shoot. On a Sunday afternoon, the terrace was crowded, but not uncomfortably packed. We sat and took a break (and photos) at the fountain. An eight-foot angel sits atop the center of the fountain. There were at least two couples at the fountain having their wedding photos taken. There was a small film crew hanging out. I think they were waiting for sunset to get their shots. There were street performers and one of those people who like to create giant bubbles in the air to wow children and get tips from parents and photographers. Along with the fountain, a couple other great places to snap photos are atop one of the two grand staircases on either side of the lower passage and inside the passage itself. Public restrooms are available here if you need to go. Humorously, Bethesda Terrace reminds me of the mission "Meltdown" in Grand Theft Auto IV. The fountain and lower passage are featured in Middle Park, the game's take on Central Park. Video: https://youtu.be/FpkyMBsdbL4. read more
11 years ago
Another great spot in the park. This location does attract a lot of tourists though. Everyone comes to see the fountain. It's not as quiet and peaceful as other locations. This is another of my stops on my city tour for out of town guests. The time to come is when the flowers and trees are blooming. The fountain is beautiful. On a spring or summer day you might see a photographer or two with wedding parties! I usually just pass by the fountain and check out all the activities. I look at the Angel as the seasons change. I take pictures when there are events. This location is a must see when you visit the park. read more
13 years ago
My FAVORITE place in Central Park is Bethesda Terrace. I've seen this structure and area in many different movies and TV shows but even if I hadn't, it's beautiful in its own right. The Terrace is located at the end of the Mall. It's a beautiful stroll and then you can walk down through the Terrace. We were there on a Sunday which was VERY busy. There were street performers called the Afrobats doing a rather big show and there were also some weird people with inflatable couches advertising "free conversation" and videotaping people for their YouTube channel. I wish I had gone on a weekday when it was quieter. Even with all the activity, we still spent some time wandering around, looking at the beautiful ceiling of the terrace as well as the fountain. There are a lot of people who are boating by as well as a view of the Loeb boathouse. Whenever I am back in NYC, this will always be a place I go. Love Central Park and LOVE Bethesda Terrace. read more
7 years ago
Iconic area of Central Park that everyone should enjoy. If you find yourself in the area stop and enjoy the beautiful. Look at the ceiling. It's breath taking. Also, there are bathroom under the bridge. read more
8 years ago
This is one of the main sights i anted to see when i went to New York City. Many films and T.V. shows have been done here and I find that cool. The inside is really nice and artistic. It's almost like a cathedral from Rome and a museum. When i cam here with my tour group there was a crew and shooting sesame street. So that was a really nice thing to experience. The fountain is my main favourite sight and the view of it it's just beautiful. read more
Beautiful spot in Central Park. It's located to the north of the Literary Walk. It wasn't too busy when we went. There were a few performers -- Ike guy rocking some giant bubbles and another playing some classical guitar. It almost felt like they were working together. I have never felt so peaceful watching these bubbles float away. The weather was also gorgeous which made it more fun. I will definitely bring visitors to this place in the park. read more
Many may not agree with what I'm about to say... but I just have to get it off my chest: I think that Bethesda Terrace is a bit overrated. ::exhales:: For me its just a fountain, in a plaza, next to a lake. I don't care for the crowds, the musical performances & the lack of seating. I'd rather be wandering along Central Park's Mall or climbing the towers of Belvedere Castle. I do think that the grand stairs & Bethesda Arcade (http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/south-end/minton-tiles-at-bethesda.html) leading out to the terrace are pretty spectacular, but sometimes its hard to enjoy them with the crowds. I'm not saying its a bad spot to visit in Central Park...I just don't think its not the best either. But maybe that's just me... read more
6 years ago
This is my one of my favorites in Central Park! I love this Beautiful Bethesda Fountain and Everyone's so lively around the Terrace! It's a great spot for taking pictures, walking, and even outdoor group events! I seen people making Huge bubbles, it was so cool! Looked REAL fun!! read more
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Bethesda Terrace - landmarks - Updated July 2026
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