With so many iconic and beautiful settings, Central Park serves as one of the most filmed locations in the world. It's gorgeous, recognizable, and—of course—synonymous with New York City. Here are five of the Park's most popular filming locations and their cinematic significance. And the award for Best Supporting Actor goes to...
Bethesda Terrace
Considered the heart of Central Park, Bethesda Terrace provides an iconic New York City backdrop with the beauty of Bethesda Fountain and a striking arcade with a Minton tile ceiling. To keep as much of Bethesda Terrace open as possible during its busiest times of day, film shoots often occur here early in the morning or late in the evening.
You may have seen it in:
- Hair (1979): A song and dance sequence for "Ain't Got No" features several shots of Bethesda Terrace's intricate carvings, which represent the four seasons and, on the side facing the Mall, the times of day.
- Home Alone 2 (1992): Kevin is chased by the Wet Bandits and jumps into a horse carriage in front of Bethesda Fountain. You won't be able to recreate that scene—horse carriages don't actually cross in front of the fountain as shown in the movie.
The Mall
Four rows of American elm trees form a cathedral-like canopy over this heavily trafficked, quarter-mile pedestrian path called the Mall, which is the only intentional straight line in the Park. The Mall provides a perfectly picturesque cinematic setting for chats on a bench and long walks.
You may have seen it in:
- Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961): Naumburg Bandshell, at the north end of the Mall and the only Neo-Classical building in the Park, makes an appearance. Though the movie shows several rows of benches in front of the Bandshell, benches aren't there today (except for special events).
- Kramer vs. Kramer (1979): Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) teaches his son Billy (Justin Henry) to bike on the Mall. This movie was released the year before the Conservancy's creation, so the Mall looks very different today. Now, you'll find fences protecting the landscapes and much healthier lawns.
Bow Bridge
Bow Bridge is one of the City's most romantic settings—film crews may even accidentally happen upon an engagement or wedding here. So it's fitting that Bow Bridge is often the setting for love, romance, and the occasional broken heart.
You may have seen it in:
- Spider-Man 3 (2007): A jolly Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) meets with the love of his life, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), on a quiet Bow Bridge. If you're planning a meetup on Bow Bridge today, don't expect to find it so empty—it's one of the most popular sites in the Park.
- Enchanted (2007): A song and dance sequence for "That's How You Know" features a handful of Central Park hot spots. When Bow Bridge is on the screen, you'll spot plenty of rowboats navigating the Lake. That's indeed what the Lake looks like on a beautiful day, thanks to popular rowboat rentals at nearby Central Park Boathouse.
Central Park Boathouse
Visitors at the Central Park Boathouse can rent rowboats or dine with views of the Lake. The Central Park Boathouse that New Yorkers and visitors know so well today opened at the Lake's northeastern tip in 1954, after the Park's original boathouse fell into disrepair and was torn down.
You may have seen it in:
- Manchurian Candidate (1962): See the Central Park Boathouse in its early days (with no rowboats!) in this movie starring Frank Sinatra.
- When Harry Met Sally (1989): Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) and friends dine at the Boathouse with gorgeous fall foliage in the background. Recreate the scene at the Boathouse's Lakeside Restaurant, which serves meals all day long.
Cherry Hill
A gentle slope overlooking the Lake with views of the Ramble, Cherry Hill is a popular spot for sunbathing and picnicking. It provides the perfect setting for conversations and relaxation, with the recognizable Lake in the background.
You may have seen it in:
- Marathon Man (1976): Looking for a movie that features several Central Park scenes? Cherry Hill is just one of the locations you'll find Thomas Levy (Dustin Hoffman) visit. This movie also features the Reservoir, Bethesda Terrace, and the Delacorte Clock.
- Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011): Thomas Schell (Tom Hanks) and Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) play together on a swing set on Cherry Hill. The swing set was built for the movie—there are no swing sets to be found on this landscape.
Suggested Reading
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