The Central Park Boathouse, founded in 1954 and overlooking the Central Park Lake, offers historic rowboat rentals along with a full restaurant, café, and private event space. After a major renovation, the venue reopened in spring 2024 under new operator Legends Hospitality, debuting a redesigned restaurant and dining experience.

The rowboat fleet includes more than 100 boats, each seating up to four people with a 700 lb weight capacity, giving guests a chance to row the 20-acre Lake and take in views of the Bow Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. Rentals are available daily from 10am to dusk (weather permitting), on a first-come, first-served basis — no reservations accepted, with the last boat leaving the dock one hour before dusk. Life jackets are provided with every rental, and guests must be at least 3 feet tall to ride.

Rowboat rentals run $25/hour Monday-Thursday and $30/hour Friday-Sunday, paid by credit card or Apple Pay only (cash is no longer accepted). Food and drinks aren’t permitted on the boats, though ready-made grab-and-go picnic bags or a luxury picnic experience are available to enjoy by the Lake afterward — a popular choice for birthdays, proposals, and special occasions.

For visitors and New Yorkers looking for an iconic, historic rowboat experience in the heart of Central Park, the Central Park Boathouse offers a beloved, newly renovated landmark with dining and event space alongside its classic boat rentals.