A Perfect Fall Day in Central Park, New York City
There’s nothing quite like a fall day in Central Park. The trees are turning gold, yellow, and orange, and the park becomes an escape from the normal fast-paced environment of Manhattan. Peak foliage is a short window when the leaves are at their brightest, the air is crisp, and the light is golden. A walk through Central Park is one of the ways to see the City at its best.
Here’s our favorite long walk for spending a perfect autumn day amid all the changing colors in Central Park. Start your morning with a coffee and pastry at Le Pain Quotidien beside the charming Kerbs Boathouse (enter the park at 5th Avenue and 72nd Street), where model sailboats make their way across the pond, and the kids seem mesmerized by them. Then head north to the Loeb Boathouse for a row on the lake, take in the views from Belvedere Castle, and stroll around the Reservoir and see some of the most stunning fall foliage with the New York City skyline in the background.
From there, you can walk through Shakespeare Garden, over Bow Bridge, and down the iconic Mall and Literary Walk, ending with a skate at Wollman Rink and the city skyline as the backdrop.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or rediscovering a favorite spot, this long walk captures the very best of Central Park in fall. It includes some fun stops, spectacular views, and the kind of New York charm that never gets old.
This is the route we love to take on a crisp fall day in Central Park — coffee, a row on the lake, golden leaves, and a little ice skating to end the afternoon.
A few helpful tips for navigating your way through the park
- If you’re not sure which path to take when visiting one of the iconic stops on our walk, just use the Maps App on your phone, and it will steer you to your next location.
- A fun fact that many people don’t know about is that the numbers on all the Central Park lampposts are a navigation system for visitors. As many times as we’ve walked through the park, we only learned about this a few years ago. There are 1,600 lampposts throughout the park. The only place in the park that doesn’t have them is the 36 acres of the Bramble. The first two or three numbers on the lampposts will tell you what cross street you are closest to. For example, if the number is 86, you’re closest to 86th Street. The last two numbers indicate whether you’re on the east or west side of the park and your location in relation to the park’s center. Odd numbers mean you’re on the west side, and even numbers mean you’re on the east side. The smaller the number, the closer you are to the outside of the park. And if you are ever in an emergency situation, you can dial 911and tell them the lamppost number closest to you, and they’ll know exactly where to find you.
- Public Restrooms: Restrooms are hard to find in NYC in general. But for your long walk, here are a few options along the way. Option #1 is the restrooms at Kerbs Boathouse. You’ll find them on both ends of the LPQ snack bar. Option #2 is the restrooms at Shakespeare Theater. Option #3 is the restrooms at the Met. There’s a side entrance to the left of the stairs leading up to the main entrance. You don’t need a ticket to get into this area, but you will have to go through regular security screening. Once you’re inside, just follow the signs to the restrooms. And option #4 is the restrooms on the stairs that lead down through the tiled arcade to Bethesda Fountain and plaza.
Stop 1: Kerbs Boathouse & Conservatory Water
Enter the park at 5th Avenue and 72nd Street
For me, every day starts with a good cup of coffee. And a little pastry makes it even better. Le Pain Quotidien is right next to the Kerbs Boathouse and Conservatory Water. The coffee and pastries are good, and the setting makes them perfect for the moment. Find a table outside, enjoy your coffee, and watch the kids play and model sailboats glide across the pond. Early in the morning, the water reflects the reds, yellows, and oranges of the surrounding trees. It’s quiet, calm, and feels far from the busy city that’s just a couple of blocks away.
Bathrooms are available here.
Stop 2: The Loeb Boathouse & Rowboat on the Lake
Located approximately mid-park between 74th and 76th Streets
From the Kerbs Boathouse, follow the tree-lined path toward The Loeb Boathouse. It’s one of Central Park’s most iconic spots. Renting a rowboat here is a classic New York experience, especially in the fall. Bow Bridge, the city skyline, and trees in full color surround the lake.
You can rent boats from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (or dusk) with no reservations. It’s done on a first-come, first-served basis and is $25 per hour. And an hour is plenty of time to make your way around the lake. Each boat can hold up to four people, and life jackets are provided. And if you don’t feel like rowing, just enjoy watching families, couples, and friends having a few minutes of fun.
Stop 3: Belvedere Castle & The Bramble
Located approximately mid-park between 79th and 85th Streets
Next, make your way north to Belvedere Castle. From here, you’ll get great views of Turtle Pond, the Great Lawn, and all the fall colors that seem to go on and on in every direction. As you wander around, take the path through the Bramble, a quiet, winding area that feels tucked away from everything else. It’s one of the best hidden gems for fall foliage in Central Park.
Since you’re back near the Central Park Boathouse, this would be a great time to break for lunch or a snack. You have a few options. While you could plan ahead and make a reservation at the formal Boathouse, we usually opt for a snack and a drink at the more casual options. You have dockside dining on a first-come, first-served basis or grab something at the Café. You can eat on their outside patio or take it to go and enjoy it anywhere in Central Park. The Café is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. They have a wide-ranging menu from breakfast sandwiches to burgers, even lobster rolls, and clam chowder. There is something here for everyone.
Stop 4: The Met, Great Lawn & Reservoir
Located between 80th and 85th Streets on the east side
Now, find the path that leads past the back side of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Great Lawn, where you’ll often see locals lounging or tossing a football, or kicking a soccer ball among the fallen leaves. This would be a great time to stop in at The Met to check out the ever-changing floral arrangements. You don’t need a ticket to get into the lobby, and you’ll be able to see their seasonal floral arrangements, which are always spectacular.
Restrooms are available here.
Heading a little farther north, you’ll reach the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. The 1.58-mile loop around it is one of the most beautiful walks in the city, with views of the skyline mirrored in the still water and trees glowing with color. It’s especially beautiful in late afternoon light during the golden hour and at sunset.
Stop 5: Seneca Village Site, Swedish Cottage and Shakespeare Garden
Located at 85th Street on the west side
Head south and make your way to the Seneca Village site. This area was once home to a thriving 19th-century African-American community before Central Park was created. After a few moments there, continue toward the Swedish Cottage and the Shakespeare Garden, with the winding paths, stone steps, and many different plantings.
Stop 6: Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace & Fountain
Located about mid-park between 72nd and 74th Streets
No walk through Central Park is complete without crossing Bow Bridge, one of the park’s most romantic and photographed spots. The bridge stretches beautifully over the lake, surrounded by trees that are so bright with fall color. From there, it’s just a short walk to Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, where you’ll often find street musicians performing under the tiled arcade. The combination of music, light, and the sound of the fountain makes it one of those unique New York moments that never lose their charm, especially in the fall.
Restrooms are available here.
Stop 7: The Mall & Literary Walk
Located about mid-park between 66th and 70th Streets
Keep heading south, and the path opens up to The Mall, a large promenade lined with tall American elm trees. In the fall, their branches form a golden canopy. It’s one of the most photographed scenes in New York, and countless movies have filmed scenes here. Statues of literary figures line the walkway, giving this stretch its nickname: Literary Walk. It’s the perfect place to slow down, take a few photos, and simply enjoy the beauty of Central Park in its peak season.
Stop 8: Wollman Rink
Located between 60th and 62nd Streets towards the east side
End your fall day in Central Park with a spin around Wollman Rink. By late afternoon, the lights begin to glow and the city skyline rises just beyond the trees. It’s a scene straight out of a movie. Whether you decide to skate or just watch from the sidelines with a cup of hot chocolate, it’s the perfect way to end the day.
There’s something about a fall day in Central Park that feels magical. No matter how many times we’ve walked through the park, we always stumble into a new area where we haven’t yet been before. While we enjoy all the seasons, fall is definitely our favorite. From the orange, red, and yellow leaves to the crisp air to the unmistakable smell of leaves all around, peak foliage is when Central Park has its finest moments.
