Bethesda Fountain
Bethesda Fountain
4.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: Central Park
How to get there
- 72nd St • 7 min walk
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- therichastillStevenage, United Kingdom3,237 contributionsAngelicBethesda Fountain is the centrepiece of Bethesda Terrace. There is a road passing nearby and from here you get some lovely views of the fountain. It is also close to the Bow Bridge which I recognised from Home Alone 2. There are plenty of benches in the area for you to sit and relax upon and watch what's going on. It's a very popular destination so I would recommend visiting early in the day before it gets too crowded.Visited October 2023Travelled soloWritten 16 December 2023
- TravelingSoccerLoonSaint Paul, Minnesota5,847 contributionsBeautiful Fountain in the Heart of Central ParkBethesda Fountain and Terrace is at the heart of Central Park. The much-photographed fountain, also known as the "Friends Fountain" from the well-known TV series, is beautiful and very recognizable. This is a lively area usually with street performers and musicians. Great spot to sit and soak up the atmosphere of the amazing city park.Visited May 2023Travelled soloWritten 8 April 2024
- Keith NCheltenham, United Kingdom195 contributionsBeautiful views ruined by pollenBeautiful fountain, lake and terrace. This would have been a lovely place to stop and enjoy the general ambience of the park if the pollen had not been so overwhelming that we had to escape to the streets so we could breathe again. Have made a mental note to return out of hayfever season.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Thomas V
Oakland, CA17 526 contributions
Oct 2021
One of the crown jewels of the Park, this fountain is a 19th Century gem. It's old and classic, but in great shape since we all love it so much. Can't miss it in the middle of the most-used part of the Park.
Written 4 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FDinger
Florida1 381 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We stopped at Bethesda Fountain on our traverse of Central Park. It was bustling with people. There were some viewing the beautiful fountain, others rowing on the lake, a few enjoying a street musician, and even a couple having their wedding pictures taken. It was a great scene on a warm summer day.
Written 14 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19 421 contributions
May 2022
Although the whole park is glorious, the Bethesda fountain and the terrace above are the most beautiful sites here.
In the middle of the fountain is the Angel of Water sculpture. Opposite it is the Mall passageway with the Bethesda arcade seen in so many movies.
Beautiful place not to be missed during your Central park visit.
In the middle of the fountain is the Angel of Water sculpture. Opposite it is the Mall passageway with the Bethesda arcade seen in so many movies.
Beautiful place not to be missed during your Central park visit.
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller
New York City, NY3 284 contributions
Dec 2021
I walked five times in Central Park in December 2021 and each time visited Bethesda Fountain. The Mall, Bethesda Terrace and Bethesda Fountain are my favorite part of Central Park and I never get tired of it. The Bethesda Fountain was dry because it was December but it still was a great photo opportunity. Also great was standing near Bethesda Fountain and then looking up at Bethesda Terrace and seeing the tall buildings of Central Park South in the distance. Nearby is The Lake and the Loeb Boat House. It is a great part of the park to visit.
Written 21 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Swiss Nomad
Lugano, Switzerland3 510 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Just before going back towards the concrete jungle, we quickly headed to Bethesda fountain, where we hoped we would find a toilet.
The toilet was closed, but we enjoyed checking out the beautiful fountain and in particular the lovely tiles on the ceiling under the terrace. Just look at the fountain, turn around and walk towards the stairs while looking up. Due to the dimness you may pass by without noticing, but it's really worth checking out this landmark.
The toilet was closed, but we enjoyed checking out the beautiful fountain and in particular the lovely tiles on the ceiling under the terrace. Just look at the fountain, turn around and walk towards the stairs while looking up. Due to the dimness you may pass by without noticing, but it's really worth checking out this landmark.
Written 25 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
natters14
Portsmouth, UK3 331 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
This was my third attempt to visit(& second to make it to the Fountain and I wasn’t disappointed.
Like many, I am familiar with it from many a New York film and tv programme and was so happy to to see it in reality and how beautiful - and spacious - it is.
Well worth a visit - recommend!
Like many, I am familiar with it from many a New York film and tv programme and was so happy to to see it in reality and how beautiful - and spacious - it is.
Well worth a visit - recommend!
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith N
Cheltenham, UK195 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Beautiful fountain, lake and terrace. This would have been a lovely place to stop and enjoy the general ambience of the park if the pollen had not been so overwhelming that we had to escape to the streets so we could breathe again. Have made a mental note to return out of hayfever season.
Written 4 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bhlraven1916
Atlanta, GA1 506 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
Finally got to visit after watching John Wick 2. The Angel of the Waters, the statue refers to Healing the paralytic at Bethesda, a story from the Gospel of John about an angel blessing the Pool of Bethesda, giving it healing powers. I can only imagine what it's like during the summer. Go early if you want good pictures unless you have the power of Winston.
Written 30 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LiamMc97
Edinburgh, UK29 contributions
Oct 2019
I went here in Oct 2019 and proposed to my then girlfriend. It's such an iconic place in New York and will hold many memories that I will cherish forever.
Written 10 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
424nelev
Roeselare, Belgium44 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
Central Park as a whole is a favourite any time of year, and so is the Fountain. You'll recognize it from many films and series, and I find it especially beautiful with snow. There's always a bustle going on near the Fountain
Written 15 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does anyone know what months the fountain is or isn't running? I know they shut it off in the winter but was trying to find out when it was going to be back on. Thanks, couldn't find an answer online.
Written 19 January 2018
The answer my friend, is blowing in the wind... literally.
It's the weather, not an arbitrary date which determines the fountain's functioning. It's been turned off in warm weather too, if there's a drought, and times when it might freeze in April. So, sorry, there may be guidance for the park engineers about environmental & plumbing accommodations. But it's weather. You won't find an annual schedule, ever, anywhere, that I've seen.
Written 19 January 2018
Or is there a way to get to the fountain without walking a tremendous amount?
Written 11 August 2017
Yes. There are entrances to the park at west 72d street and Central Park West and East 72d Street and Fifth Ave. The Terrace Drive is essentially an extension of 72d Street and connects the two entrances. The Betthesda Terrace and Fountain are on the North side of Terrace Drive, midway between the east and west entrances-- about 1.5 crosstown city blocks from either entrance. The West 72 Street entrance is right across the street from the B and C subway station. Easy to take a taxi to either entrance. Since "tremendous amount" is a relative concept, let me add that the southern entrances to the park are on 59th street, so slightly more than a .5 mike walk. Hope this helps.
Written 12 August 2017
Can I take an uber ride to the mall and walk to the fountain from there?
Written 11 August 2017
On weekdays -- yes. but it is tricky, doable on weekdays only and probably a bad idea. Get out your map. On weekdays, not weekends, cars can enter the park until 6 or 7PM at 6th Avenue and Central Park So. (59th Street) and must exit the park at East 72d Street. Now, the road entering the Park at 6th Ave is known as Center Drive and it merges with and becomes East Drive at about 66th Street. There is a traffic light at the merger point and the south end of the Mall is just off to the left of the merger point. Your driver has to leave you off on the right side of the road, and he will not know any of this. Worse comes to worse, you driver will have no trouble leaving you off at 72d Street exit and from there it is a easy walk to the fountain.
Written 12 August 2017
Hi! I agree with the previous answers. A place to be visited in the daylight I would say. I don't know the times it is turned on as the times I visited it it was on. By the way, I was there early in the morning once and after lunch the other.
Enjoy!
Written 6 September 2015
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