In the hustle to see the Resevoir or the Great Lawn, the Bow Bridge may get overlooked. Though, it is just as iconic, and it’s located only a few strides from the Bethesda Fountain.
Pull your eyes away from the skyline for just a moment and enjoy the distinctive features of the park itself. Its difficult to break the magnetic pull of the surrounding skyscrapers, but the more you get to know the park the easier it is to find yourself lost in its vastness. Eventually the sites and sounds of the city will start to fade.
What’s truly magical about the park though, is the seemingly unachievable balance of the serenity of vast lawns, towering trees and casual ponds side by side with grandeur of the surrounding borough and the incomprehensible diversity and vibrancy of its dwellers.
To get you started on your stroll, here’s one route: start at the southeast corner of the park at the corner of 59th and 5th and make your way inwards towards the Bethesda Fountain. Keep an eye out for the waffle cart, Waffles & Dinges, at the entrance. You may even smell the waffles before you seem them. If you do see it, be sure to stop for a waffle covered in warm melted chocolate.
Walk past the Central Park Zoo and look left to spot any seals. Continue on down The Mall and after taking a minute to check out the Bethesda Fountain continue on past it on the left hand side towards the lake. There you will find the Bow Bridge.
The Bow Bridge is the second oldest bridge in the United States. The Bow in Bow Bridge is named for its graceful arch shape and is pronounced “bo” as in the bow of an archer. The bridge is worth seeing any time of the year, but it is particularly serene in the winter when there are fewer sightseers.
THE RUNDOWN:
What: The Bow Bridge, the second oldest bridge in the US
Where: Central Park, New York
Time to Spend: An hour of wandering of time
What Else to Know:
- You could spend weeks in the park and still not discover all its secrets, keep your eyes peeled and your feet wandering.
- For a fancy bite to eat check out the Loeb boathouse.
- For a more low key bite to eat check out Shake Shack at 77th and Columbus. Though perhaps even more fun is the original in Madison Square Park – great view and ambiance!
- Keep an eye (or a nose) out for the waffle cart and order a waffle smothered in melted chocolate. Be sure to grab extra napkins!
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