It's on 1 of my list. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
- AddressMid-Park at 72nd Street
- From my guide, updated February 2026.
Bethesda Fountain is one of the most beautiful places in Central Park. The Terrace is actually the park’s only formal architectural design. Lined with 16,000 ceiling tiles, the terrace’s arcade creates an ideal acoustic environment for the city’s talented street musicians. A popular attraction, the area is always full of people, which only makes the experience better because it’s so lively!
I bring every single visitor here first. On weekends you’ll find musicians playing under the arcade and the acoustics are incredible, the tiles were designed for exactly that purpose. Get here before 10 AM on weekdays if you want photos without crowds. On weekends, don’t even try for an empty shot, just enjoy the energy instead.