A Guide to the Perfect Central Park Date

The Park’s romantic roots go as far back as the late 1800s when Central Park was home to a tree-lined path informally known as Lovers’ Lane, a common spot for couples of the era seeking the perfect date.

While Lovers’ Lane no longer exists, the essence of this path remains, both in the intimate stretch of footpaths found south of Turtle Pond near where Lovers’ Lane used to be and in the spirit of romance found across the Park. In fact, if you spend enough time in Central Park, there’s a decent chance you’ll bear witness to countless precious milestones: first dates, first kisses, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, and just about everything in between.

Central Park’s 843 acres offer countless idyllic places to charm a date, capture that Instagram-worthy moment, or plan the perfect proposal. Selecting a special setting that feels as unique as your love can seem daunting, so we’ve put together a guide to the Park’s most magical places for couples in NYC.

Need some fresh date ideas or the best date spots in NYC's backyard? Click on the numbers on the map below to learn more about each location.