7/11/2014 8:00 pm
Great Lawn in Central Park
“Every year, Philharmonic in the Parks offers performances at parks in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. While these performances offer the chance to hear amazing classical music, more importantly it’s an opportunity to gather with friends and enjoy drinks, snacks and conversation with the New York Philharmonic providing a soundtrack. The closer you sit to the band shell, the more seriously the audience takes the performance, so gauge your positioning appropriately. Performances begin at 8 p.m., so if you want seating close to the band shell, plan to arrive about 2 hours early — if you’re less particular, and depending on the size of your group, you can arrive up until the show begins.
Things to Bring:
– Food and drink (alcohol is generally tolerated, but there are police around, so keep it low-key)
– Candles (it gets dark as the night goes on and it can be difficult to see your companions)
– Jacket or Sweater (after the sun sets, the temperature can drop and you’ll be happy to have it)
– Bug spray to keep mosquitoes away (citronella candles can also do double duty)
– Balloons are a good way to help you find your friends (cell phones work too) [Please dispose of your balloons in the trash — releasing them into the air is essentially littering and can be harmful to wildlife.]
– Blankets to sit on (a plastic garbage bag makes a great liner between your blanket/beach towel and the moist ground)
Directions to the Great Lawn in Central Park
The Great Lawn is located mid-park from 79th to 85th Street. The band shell is located in the northern portion of Great Lawn.
– Take the 4/5/6 to 86th Street. Walk West 3 blocks to 5th Avenue and enter the park at the entrance between 85th/86th Streets. Follow the winding pathway (or the crowds).
– Take the A/B/C to 81th Street and enter the park at 81st Streets Follow the path or the crowds to the Great Lawn.” – Heather Cross
– Westside entrances: West 81st or 86th Streets at Central Park West
– Eastside entrances: East 79th or 85th Streets at Fifth Avenue