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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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
767 reviews
Excellent
414
Very good
291
Average
60
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Thomas V
Oakland, CA16,407 contributions
May 2023
This is one of my favorite spots in Central Park, so when we decided to spend an afternoon here, we made this our objective. It is lovely 19th Century sculpture and was always considered one of the highlights of park design. Always a lot of people around. Great on a sunny day.
Written 8 July 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.
Jack
Old Bethpage, NY770 contributions
Mar 2023
The fountain is a must see when visiting Central Park! I recommend doing it in the summer for the best experience. It is very clean and well preserved. Yes, during the spring and summer, it will be crowded, but it is worth it and I recommend!
Written 27 June 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.
natters14
Portsmouth, UK2,537 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.
778moni
Zuqim, Israel71 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
I loved this corner in the park. The fountain and its environment is very well preserved and clean and even on a winter day there are a lot of people around.
Written 12 February 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.
coconutugly
Marbella, Spain1,492 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
Not worth the walk in the middle of winter. No water in the fountain, no people around, so zero ambience. Really “meh”….. did not blow
My socks off
My socks off
Written 18 December 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.
Brucethealien
20 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
One of my favourite spots in Central Park and one of the few spots that made me stop in my tracks and actually believe I was in New York, such an iconic view from the terrace to the fountain spent ten minutes or so just taking pictures. Well worth a visit
Written 1 November 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.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA13,464 contributions
Jul 2022
A gathering place in central park. We like to stand along the rail and watch the boaters on the lake and the turtles near the shore.
Great views of the city in the background.
Great views of the city in the background.
Written 20 July 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.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia17,664 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.
StephenCross
Dublin, Ireland18,409 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Always like this fountain and terrace in Central Park. It is such a different viewing when the water is running in the summer. Recommended.
Written 20 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.
Deb W
Reno, NV2,571 contributions
Apr 2022
I'm sure this is much better when there is water in it. We were there in early April and were told it would be filled soon. It was still a nice place to stop on our bike tour.
Written 22 April 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.
RandBArmstrong
Mason, OH29 contributions
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.
drmikenyc
New York1,286 contributions
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.
smilesalot15
Erlanger, KY274 contributions
Or is there a way to get to the fountain without walking a tremendous amount?
Tom M
New York City, NY1,702 contributions
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.
smilesalot15
Erlanger, KY274 contributions
Can I take an uber ride to the mall and walk to the fountain from there?
Tom M
New York City, NY1,702 contributions
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.
Maca C
Asunción, Central, Paraguay
At what times does the Fountain turn on and off?
Betty P
San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina2,590 contributions
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!
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Claim your listingBethesda Fountain (New York City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Bethesda Fountain
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Bethesda Fountain:
- Guided Bike Tour of Central Park New York City (From ₹ 3,530.34)
- Central Park Highlights Small-Group Bike Tour (From ₹ 4,083.86)
- Guided Standard Central Park Horse Carriage Ride (Up to 4 Adults) (From ₹ 6,252.08)
- Central Park Private Bike Tour (From ₹ 6,252.08)
- Inside Central Park Bike Tour (From ₹ 4,083.86)
- Hotels near Bethesda Fountain:
- (0.63 km) The Mark Hotel
- (0.55 km) The Surrey
- (0.96 km) Lowell Hotel
- (1.17 km) The Sherry-Netherland
- (1.15 km) 1 Hotel Central Park
- Restaurants near Bethesda Fountain:
- (0.19 km) Loeb Boathouse Central Park
- (0.54 km) Ladurée
- (0.31 km) Le Pain Quotidien
- (0.63 km) Bemelmans Bar
- (0.36 km) Le Pain Quotidien