Sheep Meadow, Central Park – The Great Lawn for Picnics, Sun & Skyline Views
On a sunny afternoon there is no better spot to feel the pulse of New York at rest than Sheep Meadow. This vast, open green on the park’s west side is where the whole city seems to come to slow down — to picnic, sunbathe, read, and watch the skyline glow above the trees.
🐑 Where the sheep really grazed
The name is no accident. From the 1860s until 1934, a flock of real sheep genuinely grazed this lawn, kept to give the park a pastoral, countryside feel. They were housed in a nearby fold — the very building that later became the famous restaurant Tavern on the Green. During the Great Depression the sheep were finally moved out, but the name, and the peaceful spirit, stayed behind.
🌿 A designated Quiet Zone
Today Sheep Meadow is one of the park’s official Quiet Zones. There are no ball games or organised sports here — just 15 acres of open grass set aside purely for relaxing. That gentle rule is exactly what makes it feel so restful, even on the busiest summer weekend.
🏙️ Skyline views and golden sunsets
Lie back on the lawn and the towers of Central Park South rise beyond the treeline — the classic contrast of green park and grey skyline that says “New York” in a single glance. It is one of the best places in the city to watch the sun go down.
🚲 The easiest way to reach it
Sheep Meadow lies on the west side of the park between roughly 66th and 69th Streets. A pedicab brings you right to its edge and on to Tavern on the Green, Strawberry Fields and the Mall — the highlights of the west side, without the walk.
✔ See the west side on the 1-hour Central Park pedicab tour from $30
✔ See all tour options on the Central Park pedicab tour page
✔ Ready to go? Book your ride here
🧺 Best for
🧺 Picnics and lazy afternoons on the grass
🌇 Sunset views over the skyline
📷 That perfect park-meets-skyline photo
😌 A quiet break in the middle of a busy sightseeing day
🗺️ What’s nearby
Sheep Meadow anchors the west side, so it pairs naturally with:
🍽️ Tavern on the Green — the historic restaurant right beside it
🎵 Strawberry Fields — the John Lennon memorial, a short ride north
🌳 The Mall & Literary Walk — the grand elm promenade
❓ Frequently asked questions
Where is Sheep Meadow in Central Park?
On the west side, roughly between 66th and 69th Streets.
Did sheep really graze there?
Yes — a flock grazed the lawn from the 1860s until 1934, when they were finally moved out.
Can you play sports on Sheep Meadow?
No — it is a designated Quiet Zone reserved for relaxing, not organised games.
What is the easiest way to get there?
A private pedicab tour brings you right to it and on to the west-side landmarks. Rides start at $30.
Wide-open grass, skyline views and a century and a half of history — Sheep Meadow is the perfect place to pause on a west-side pedicab loop. Book a Central Park pedicab tour from $30.