Sheep Meadow

Summer is the best time to be here on the weekends. Sit and have a fun picnic with your friends or just relax and sunbath . Vendors will come and offer drinks and food. 15 acres of green pasture!

I wish I could describe in 200 letters all the magic and energy that this place has, whether it's crowded or empty, it fills you with the joy of a beautiful park and an incredible city . Come!

Amazing huge patch of green with the wonderful NYC view as the backdrop. Bring a book or if you really want to party, a bottle of vodka and it's fun times all around🍻

Probably called Sheep Meadow because whenever the weather is right, the creatures of NYC flock to this place like sheep?!😂 Seriously, I think that must be why it is named that😏

THE summer tanning spot in the city . Be careful sitting under some of the trees near the perimeter as they drop berries and can cause unfortunately placed stains 😣

This spot in the park - beautiful and cozy in all seasons. In winter, it's close to the skating rink , summer/spring/fall - easy access to volleyball/baseball courts. We like to just lay and read here!

Break out your cross country skis and enjoy a wintery jaunt through the park . Skiing is allowed only when there is a base of snow of at least six inches - or so we've heard.

Prime sunbathing time is between 10:30am and 3pm; we suggest you claim your spot early on this 15-acre expanse, one of the most popular ray-catching spots in NYC. Read more

One of the best spots in Central Park to wind down during your lunch break or have a picnic with friends.

Get there at 11 for a prime spot. Up on the hill near the trees is prime people watching location.

No matter how many thousands of people are here, there is always enough room for you to have a picnic .

Great free spot to hang with a beverage, snack and/or good read. Shady in the summer and a good spot to watch the pickup soccer game most evenings in the summer.

Great picnic spot and easy to find if you're not well acquainted with the park . It can get a little crowded on the weekends.

Great place to escape the city streets and get some sun. Bring a blanket and book/magazine to do some reading, but don't forget to people watch !

Great place for a picnic and chill out on the grass. There are some places with shadow below trees even on sunny days.

Online it says dogs are allowed but the fence has a sign that says no dogs allowed. I brought my dog in the restricted area and no one bothered us and there was other dogs there as well .

Just take the time to lie in the middle, soaking in the energy of the grand space. Originally, this was were sheep grazed and the designer intended for military use in the early years.

Great lawn to enjoy some sunshine and get a little tanned . Watch for the flying balls or freebies or whatever.

Grab some takeout at the local Thai fusion restaurant and sit at the benches while watching people stare at your delicious food!

On a sunny day this is a place to sit and relax with a picnic . An oasis right smack in the middle of the concrete jungle of NYC.

Grab some sushi takeout from Whole Foods, bring a blanket, find a nice and grassy spot and prepare yourself for one of the best 'siestas' in your life! A MUST! :)

Make sure that you see every part of Central Park including the spot when you go it might take a day or two

Winner of Best Picnic Spot in the Village Voice 2011 Best Of issue! There's a Whole Foods nearby at Lincoln Center for all your munchie needs.

Pack a small cooler of beer , party cups, snacks , football , frisbee , iPod, speakers and a blanket. Mix all of them together and enjoy a summer weekend day.

Grab some sushi takeout from Whole Foods, bring a blanket, find a nice spot and prepare yourself for one of the best 'siestas' in your life! A MUST! :)

The park spends $30,000 a month to treat the grass from pest for everyone to enjoy. Now, let's lay on the grass without worries! Ouch! I got bitten by a mosquito!

For a Summer in the City , lunch alfresco and sunbathe in the park . Keep it simple with Cable Classics. Read more

Beautiful area of the park to meet with friends and play a little frisbee

Lots of space and gorgeous skyline views

Grab some takeout from Whole Foods, bring a blanket and enjoy catching the rays! (oh, you'll probably have some awesome people-watching & talking too)

The 15 acres of lush green fields used to actually house sheep, but now is a haven for sunbathers and picnics .

Keep your eyes peeled. You might see "This Week" anchor Christiane Amanpour riding her bike in the park . She loves to ride her bike in the park and all over NYC. Follow her on Twitter: @camanpour Read more

Beautiful picnic area ! It does get crowded though. Also, no dogs allowed

When friends are trying to find you in this giant meadow with no landmarks , text them a dropped Google Maps pin of your blanket location. Then lie back and take a nap while they look for you.

A great place to picnic , sunbathe , read, play Frisbee ...whatever!

Overheard-"I'm at the Great Lawn, be there in a second." Ummm, no you won't, because you are at Sheep Meadow.

bring a bottle of wine and a blanket, grab a couple of sandwiches from Bouchon in Columbus Circle and have a picnic in this grassy meadow

Great for hanging out with friends, relaxing and/or people watching .

As good as the beach if you live in Manhattan. Take a good book .

Nice big lawn with lots of big shady trees . Great for getting away from the noise of the city .

Fly a kite, kick a ball, lay out a blanket for a picket. Great place for families.

Big but not much shade unless you get here early. Bathrooms are nearby but will have a line . Baaaa baaaaa

A NYC favorite spot for picnics and people watching .

If you want a quite picnic location look else where. This place is crowded when other lawns are practically empty. Great place for people watching though.

As of 5/23/2011, Central Park , along with all NYC parks , beaches , and pedestrian plazas , is smoke-free! Learn more at www.nycsmokefree.org. Read more

Although usually crowded on weekends, there's almost always a spot!

Bring a blanket, a picnic and grab a spot under a shady tree to read your favorite book for hours!

bring a lover to share in the joy of writing poetry and sitting in trendy clothes on your grandmother's blanket under a tree when the weather is warm.

Beautiful section of Central Park !

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