The Boathouse in Central Park, Oct. 2007

Loeb Boathouse

The Loeb Boathouse, one of the most famous icons of Central Park is located at the northeastern tip of the Lake and houses the Boathouse Restaurant. It is a romantic setting for dinner on a mid-summer’s evening, watching the sun sink behind the trees and maybe catching a gondola slowly poling past.

Around 1874, Calvert Vaux designed a two-story boathouse at the eastern end of the Lake. About the new Boathouse Vaux said: “In order to compensate for the interruption of the view from the walk, and better accommodate those who should wish to wait in the vicinity, the roof was made a deck to be covered with awnings furnished with seats.” The original structure served nobly for eighty years until the 1950’s, by which time it was so run down that it had to be demolished. The current Boathouse took its place in 1954 and was largely financed with a gift from investment banker Carl Loeb.

Today the Boathouse features year round dining, with overhead heating helping to compensate for the chilly winds of winter and enabling patrons to enjoy the view overlooking the lake. More informal snacks are available on the outside terrace across from the bicycle rental concession. And of course you can also rent rowboats or take a ride in an authentic Venetian gondola.

The Boathouse is also used by the dedicated group of Central Park Bird watchers who come virtually every day to record their observations of birds and other Park wildlife.

Location: East Side between 74th and 75th Streets

Details: Row Boat Rentals — March through October, weather permitting: Daily 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$10 first hour and $2.50 each additional 15 minutes, $30 cash deposit required; Up to five people per boat.

Bicycle Rental: $9 to $15 per hour; Must leave credit card, driver's license or passport as deposit

Restaurants: Fast Food - Winter: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Park View at the Boathouse — Winter: Brunch — Saturday and Sunday: 11:00am to 3:00pm, Buffet
Dinner — Wednesday through Friday: 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Reservations: 212-517-2233

Gondola Rides are available during the summer from 5:00pm to 9:00pm Mon.-Fri. and 2:00pm to 9:00pm Sat.-Sun.
Gondola rides cost $30 per half hour

Text from: www.centralpark.com/pages/attractions/loeb-boathouse.html