Bethesda Fountain is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

1. Bethesda Fountain

9.5
Terrace Dr (Central Park), New York, NY
Fountain · Central Park · 122 tips and reviews

Jenny S.Jenny S.: Great place for photo ops and people watching :)

Lafayette 148 New YorkLafayette 148 New York: Bridal parties getting their photos taken, outdoor fitness bootcamps and street performers all gather in one place – it’s one of our favorite places to people watch.

jamiejamie: Great for people watching and listening to street performers.

Sheep Meadow is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

2. Sheep Meadow

9.4
W 67th St (btwn West & East Dr), New York, NY
Picnic Area · Central Park · 158 tips and reviews

Eric M.Eric Mirkin: Bring beer, enjoy people watching, throw the ol' ball around

Matt D.Matt Dunlap: Best place to lounge out on a blanket & people watch in the park. No tourists here. Read more.

CollegeCandyCollegeCandy: The BEST for people watching during the summer. Go to Whole Foods first in Columbus Circle and pick up a picnic.

Central Park is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

3. Central Park

9.7
59th to 110th St (btwn 5th Ave & Central Park W), New York, NY
Park · Central Park · 1840 tips and reviews

Alice N.Alice Nam: Great for people watching, walk after museum visits around the park

Brad H.Brad Hager: Great to experience as often as you can. So much to do and see. Great music, people watching, and walking in nature. Be sure to do a carriage ride, very relaxing, educational & scenic.

David M.David Milberg: Bring my bike here occasionally on nice days. Great exercise, breathtaking views and a great place to people watch.

Great Lawn is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

4. Great Lawn

9.3
79th & 86th St Transverse (btwn East & West Dr), New York, NY
Picnic Area · Central Park · 101 tips and reviews

Cherry LynnCherry Lynn: Great place to lounge on the grass, soak up some sun, and people watch! Nice view of the Belvedere Castle, too. Just watch out for any incoming baseballs, footballs, and frisbees.

Sharon C.Sharon Chesnick: Wonderful place to people watch

Elaine L.Elaine Lee: Perfect spot to picnic & people watch, just remember to find a shady place on a sunny day... unless you wanna be burn.

Metropolitan Museum Steps is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

5. Metropolitan Museum Steps

9.4
1000 5th Ave (at E 82nd St), New York, NY
Plaza · Central Park · 55 tips and reviews

Carlo M.Carlo M: Sit down and people watch. Just remember not to sit higher than the Queen B ;)

David M.David Milberg: One of the best people watching locations in the city and also a great place to meet up with friends- just be very specific about where you are sitting

Kimmie O.Kimmie Ohh: This is a great spot to people watch :). Enjoy the food carts in front of the Met.

Central Park Mall is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

6. Central Park Mall

9.2
Central Park, New York, NY
Park · Central Park · 40 tips and reviews

Jeff W.Jeff Woo: Go here for fall foliage and people watching Read more.

CariCari: the people watching - incl. the roller bladers & bubble guys is fabulous Read more.

Roger S.Roger Schonfeld: This formal space is a wonderful spot for a stroll but also to watch rollerbladers and the best approach to the Lake.

Central Park - North End is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

7. Central Park - North End

9.0
110th St (btwn 5th & 8th Ave), New York, NY
Park · Central Park · 21 tips and reviews

L. T.L. T.: One of my favorite parts of the park for scenery, people watching, and lazy walks. You can even turtle watch at the pond.

R L.R L: So much to do here. Swimming, ice skating, plethora of playgrounds, North Woods, fishing, conquering Harlem Hill, etc. Definitely my favorite part of Central Park.

KENNECTEDKENNECTED: From 5th avenue to 8th avenue a beautiful walk regardless of Season.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

8. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

9.5
Central Park (btwn 85th & 96th St), New York, NY
Reservoir · Central Park · 123 tips and reviews

Stacy C.Stacy Carroll: Me and the GF like to come up here and have a greasy post party breakfast while watching everyone else run haha - great people watching

Barbara G.Barbara Gorman: besides being a great spot to walk and people watch it's a great spot for photographs

Kimmie O.Kimmie Ohh: Beautiful spot with scenic views. Great spot to run or jog.

East Meadow is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

9. East Meadow

9.2
Central Park (5th Ave btwn 98th & 101st St), New York, NY
Picnic Area · Central Park · 14 tips and reviews

Kimmie O.Kimmie Ohh: Great grassy area for picnics, sports, people watching & laying out in the sun for sunbathing.

Ray H.Ray H: A must visit when in the park especially during the summer months as individuals sprawl on it. Read more.

Navit K.Navit Keren: Around sunset the park fills with fireflies! It's gorgeous.

The Rocks is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

10. The Rocks

8.5
Central Park Dr, New York, NY
Other Great Outdoors · Central Park · 31 tips and reviews

AndreaAndrea: Too nice a day not to sit & people watch for a bit.

Ami K.Ami Kuno: Grab foods at Europa(my favorite) or any other cafes!!! There are so many nice places to enjoy your breakfast (before the sun goes too high) in the central park!!!

Jamison L.Jamison Laderoute: Climb the rock

Center Fountain is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

11. Center Fountain

9.1
5th Ave (at 105th St), New York, NY
Fountain · Central Park · 15 tips and reviews

Ernie B.Ernie Bello: Such a great getaway in the middle of the city, especially in the springtime when everything is blooming.

Juan S.Juan Soto: Quiet & Peaceful

Charles P.Charles Petkanas: The Conservatory Garden is a beautiful and peaceful section of Central Park; it is just a short walk from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Warriors' Gate is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

12. Warriors' Gate

7.8
W 110th St (at Adam Clayton Powell Blvd), New York, NY
Plaza · Central Park · 7 tips and reviews

Tariq A.Tariq Ahmad: Great place to relax and people watch.

Jesse L.Jesse Lane: North park is the best park. Plenty of beautiful trails and places to hang out and relax, but without all the craziness of Sheep's Meadow.

Bas C.Bas Clark: A great place to start your trip from uptown through Central Park

Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

13. Metropolitan Museum of Art

9.5
1000 5th Ave (btwn E 80th & E 84th St), New York, NY
Art Museum · 1954 tips and reviews

Claudia S.Claudia Sokolowski: People watching from the steps of the Met is brilliant.

Dorrian's Red HandDorrian's Red Hand: The Upper East Side is known for being very cultured, and we're surrounded by it! Several of the world's best museums are in this 'hood, including this one with the city's best people watching spot!

Ric L.Ric Longenecker: Coffee in the American Wing Cafe on a Saturday provides a fantastic location for people watching.. or reading

Central Park Loop is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

14. Central Park Loop

9.3
Central Park (btwn 85th & 96th St), New York, NY
Hiking Trail · Central Park · 98 tips and reviews

Tracy H.Tracy Hixon: Great place to run, bike, people watch, check out the restored historic features.

Kristine Y.Kristine Yapp: Amazing place for a long run. Almost feels like you are out of the city and so many runners are out as well!

Silty L.Silty Loam: You are not in the Tour de France, ya douche.

Central Park E 69th Entrance is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in Central Park, New York.

15. Central Park E 69th Entrance

8.8
5th Ave (at E 69th St), New York, NY
Park · Central Park · 9 tips and reviews

Jassonn W.Jassonn Williams: the park is lovely and I just wanted to sit there and just relax and groove there. I took so many pictures.

cansu u.cansu ugurlu: Who doesn't love central park

Aga A.Aga Artka: Ah..love this place ! #nyc #travel