Bow Bridge

The basics

With the tall buildings of Fifth Avenue reflected in the lake and Central Park’s greenery, Bow Bridge is an ideal photography spot. Its romantic setting also makes it a popular place for dates and proposals. You can walk across the bridge, which spans a narrow lake channel, and glide beneath it on a rowboat.

You can check out Bow Bridge independently while exploring Central Park or on a guided tour. Guided walking, bicycle, e-scooter, pedicab, and horse-drawn carriage tours are popular ways of exploring the 840-acre (340-hectare) park.

Things to know before you go

• Central Park is free to enter.
• There are many gentle walking trails around Bow Bridge, which are worth exploring.
• Food vendors near the bridge sell items like soft pretzels to fuel your walk.

How to get there

Bow Bridge is in the lake, in the southern half of Central Park. The nearest subway station is 72 Street (C and B trains), a short walk away. From the station, pass through Strawberry Fields (the memorial to John Lennon) and head toward Cherry Hill. You can't drive in Central Park, so if you’re driving in New York City, you’ll need to park your vehicle on one of the streets outside the park.

When to get there

Bow Bridge is pretty at any time of year. It’s especially attractive for photography in the lush summer and fall, with the golden leaves around. If you’d like to take photos without too many other people around, try going early in the morning. Central Park is open every day of the year, from early morning until after midnight.

Other photo-worthy spots in Central Park

Bow Bridge is one of many scenic places in Central Park. The 19th-century Belvedere Castle, the large Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, the central Great Lawn, the Wollman Rink in winter, the pretty Conservatory Garden, and the five or so artificial waterfalls are among the other photo-worthy spots worth checking out throughout the park. There are many more to find, too, if you enjoy wandering.