Great place to catch and release fish with a playground just seconds away!

Walking into Central Park from the city causes a wave of peace to rush over visitors as they enter. Stepping inside and taking a break from the sometimes overwhelming business of NYC makes it a perfect place to bring a family. The Harlem Meer Fishing Pond allows catch-and-release fishing on the edge of the water in Central Park. A beautiful view of the water, blooming plants, and cityscapes make fishing here a serene experience. It’s exciting, even if you aren’t fishing, to go over every once in a while and see if anyone was able to catch something! Conveniently, if families do not have their own fishing rods, there are some available to borrow at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, courtesy of The Conservancy. Just as a heads up, one of the fishing rules is “Participants 16 and older must have a valid NYS fishing license.” For more specifics on policies regarding fishing, check out the website https://www.centralparknyc.org/activities/guides/catch-and-release-fishing.

Right by the pond, there is an open patio area with many benches where you can relax. When visiting, I saw people jump roping on the stone area by the water, so it could be a fun idea to bring jump ropes for the whole family. It’s entertaining and active, with a great view! Once families are done enjoying the waterfront view, there is a playground across the pavement from the Harlem Meer Fishing Pond. East 110th street playground is a gated-in playground with awesome climbing structures and tons of open areas to run around. If kids aren’t into fishing, this is the perfect alternative!