7 Best Fountains In New York City's Central Park

fountains in central park
Suresh
Suresh 
Updated
| 5 min read

Fountains in Central Park are the center of attraction to the city lovers, tourists, and many who are architecture enthusiasts. New York is a city known for Broadway theatres, cinemas, and electronic billboards and is also the home to numerous fountains of fine authentic design. Fountains in Central Park allure the young and old, an evening stroll in the park while overgrazing these fountains sets the mark for a day well spent. There are even Vrbo vacation rentals near Central Park for tourists who prefer well-located accommodations. The fountains in Central Park play as a venue for concerts and midday performances of street musicians. The fountains are symbolic representations of the history of the city, built in admiration and to honor brave heroes, to appreciate the skills of the builder for the gorgeous designs of curves and strokes and to letting the city admire the beauty it holds. Read on for the top 10 fountains in New York City’s Central Park that you must not miss.

1. Burnett Fountain

Burnett Fountain
Source: Photo by Flickr user cultivar413 used under CC BY 2.0

Strolling through the corners of Manhattan’s Central Park will have one gaze at the gorgeous Burnett Fountain. Built in 1936, sculptor Bessie Potter Vonnoh dedicated the fine work of art to the literary genius Frances Hodgson Burnett. The memorial fountain strikes a perfect balance of elegance and classic literature. The bronze sculpture is adapted from the famous and widely appreciated work of Burnett, The Secret Garden. It is a true inspiration. An evening here around the fountain with the works of the great literate brings in the essence and exclaims the greatness of both the writer and the sculptor for the fine description in the form of words and art. This is apt for all nature and art lovers. Worth a visit throughout the year as different flowers and trees bloom in various seasons. It is also near to the El Museo del Barrio, Central Park Zoo.

Burnett Fountain

Address: E 105th St &, 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029, United States

Website: Burnett Fountain

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6am - 1am; Sun: 6am - 12am

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2. Cherry Hill Fountain

Cherry Hill Fountain, Central Park CLS 0093
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Charles Smith used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Cherry Hill fountain in Central Park is a piece of beautiful work. Designed by the polymath Jacob Wrey Mould, the fountain has strict rules that should be followed around it. Dating back, many drivers drank and rode their carriages down the park. The main objective of the fountain was to provide drinking water to the horses of the carriages. It was sculpted as a humanitarian gesture to the hard working horses that pulled carriages ever since the completion of the park in 1870. The Cherry Hill fountain has a strict no drinking rule, in the year of 1998, the fountain got its first makeover and now it is glittering with grace. It is a favorite spot for photo shoots and filming, as it offers the most picturesque vistas in all of Central Park. It is also an excellent picnic spot to relax and unwind.

Cherry Hill Fountain

Address: Central Park West, New York, NY 10024, USA

Website: Cherry Hill Fountain

Opening hours: 24/7

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3. Bethesda Fountain

Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, New York City.
Source: Photo by Flickr user John Wisniewski used under CC BY-ND 2.0

The Bethesda Fountain is situated in the Bethesda Terrace of Central Park. The fountain speaks of empowerment through its backstory and mythology in the design with admiration from every eye. Emma Stebbins designed the fountain in 1868. This fountain has brought hope to women across the city that architecture and talent aren’t dedicated to any gender. The 8-feet (2.4 meters) statue stands tall in the park, it revolves around the belief of mystical healing. It is based on the Gospel of John, the “Pool of Bethesda” and the pool of water is considered to be having powers to heal pain and agony. This gorgeous fountain in the middle of Central Park is the focal point from the Bethesda Terrace and is one of the largest fountains in NY. You must stop over the place to sit, people-watch, and feel entertained.

Bethesda Fountain

Address: 72 Terrace Dr, New York, NY 10021, USA

Website: Bethesda Fountain

Opening hours: 6am - 1am (daily)

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4. Untermyer Fountain

Three Dancing Maidens
Source: Photo by Flickr user David McSpadden used under CC BY 2.0

Untermyer Fountain, a gorgeous work of beauty steals the show in Central Park. Renowned for the beautiful sculptures, the fountain was donated to the Central Park by the Untermyer family after Samuel Untermyer passed away. The cast of the sculpture is original and yet a mystery to many. The beautiful fountain has three young ladies dancing around with their hands held. Their sun-kissed faces with wet dresses depict the joy of youth and spring happiness in their hearts. The Untermyer Fountain symbolizes joy and joy is assured to the city lovers through the vibes it gives out to energize the environment. This fountain is perfect for those who visit the Central Park, especially in spring, during the tulip display in early May, and during the fall when the Korean chrysanthemums bloom. Beautiful landscapes surround this place.

Untermyer Fountain

Address: 5th Ave. &, E 105th St, New York, NY 10029, United States

Website: Untermyer Fountain

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6am - 1am; Sun: 6am - 12am

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New York Tour Guide

Annie Leguennec

Annie Leguennec

My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the city's rich heritage and its continuing legacy as the birthplace of the United States of America. Book my tour. Explore and learn about this unique city where you will walk on the footsteps of our America's founding Fathers. My tours are conducted in English, French and Italian.

Tours by Annie

5. Sophie Loeb Fountain

fountains in central park | sophie loeb fountain
Source: instagram

The memorial fountain was designed and sculpted in memory of Sophie Loeb. A woman of her words, Sophie Loeb was a social worker and a hardworking children’s advocate. Her never-give-up attitude raised voices for the starting of public baths, playgrounds, and institutions for women and children around the city. Made from reinforced cast concrete and granite, the fountain holds a great value. Sculptor Frederick Roth has taken it upon himself to sculpt the best fountain in the city. The fountain was reconfigured and the design along with the water features allure children and adults. Taking into consideration safety, children should be escorted along with an adult while visiting the fountain. A children’s delight, this fountain sprays water for tiny tots to play during the summer. The place has a lot of hiking trails nearby. This fountain has carvings of characters from the classic “Alice in Wonderland.”

Sophie Loeb Fountain

Address: 14 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022, USA

Website: Sophie Loeb Fountain

Opening hours: 24/7

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6. Pulitzer Fountain

Holiday Abundance
Source: Photo by Flickr user Michael Ostendorp used under CC BY-ND 2.0

The Pulitzer fountain is set on the southeast corner of the Central Park on the Grand Army square. The panoramic view of the fountain in Central Park will lighten the heart and the fountain induces serenity into the minds of the park lovers. The 22-ft (6.7 meters) fountain was originally designed in 1916 by an Austrian-American sculptor named Karl Bitter. The statue is made of bronze and the Pomona stands beautifully as the goddess of abundance. The statue is designed and craved with precision to detail, the goddess holds a basket of fruits depicting availability of food. The basin of the fountain has ornamental shell designs and spillovers. A breathtaking historic fountain brings a spectacular view during winter with decorations of lights lit up during the season. A nearby Apple store can be excellent entertainment here.

Pulitzer Fountain

Address: 764 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019, USA

Website: Pulitzer Fountain

Opening hours: 24/7

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7. Conservatory Garden Center Fountain

Central Park 23
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Summ used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Conservatory Garden Center fountains are a set of three fountains in the Garden Center. The elegant geyser fountain speaks volumes about the enchanting designs of the Italians. The spring adds beauty to the fountain as the floral backdrop, spring air and joy compliments perfectly with the structure of the Geyser Fountain. The Geyser Fountain plays the favorite when it comes wedding photography or award ceremonies, the richness and charming designs have swooned art lovers for decades. It is one of the best fountains in New York that cannot be missed by anyone, the garden is a perfect spot for a break during the day. With an elegant fountain in the middle, this Italian garden is a perfect place for wedding photo-shoots. A peaceful get-away from the city especially during spring when everything blooms, it is a tranquil garden to sit or hang out.

Conservatory Garden Center Fountain

Address: Inside Conservatory Garden, East Side from 104th-106th streets; enter at Fifth Avenue and 105th street, or 106th St. gate inside Park 764 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019, USA

Website: Conservatory Garden Center Fountain

Opening hours: 24/7

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Fountains in the Central Park symbolize beauty

Fountains in the Central Park symbolize beauty, history, grace, and honor. Many of the fountains are memorials to cherish the greatness of great humans who have swirled the path of the common age to bring a force of difference in the lives of the city dwellers. The enchanting, precise, detailed strokes garner one’s attention to have a closer look at these New York City wonders. May it be a midday meal, a lovely stroll in the park, an evening out with friends or at an open-air concert, always a beautifully crafted fountain can be spotted to highlight the moment.

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