Your Guide To The Best Drinking Fountains In Manhattan
21 photos
<strong>Bennett Park by 184th Street and Fort Washington Avenue</strong><br/><br/>This is the highest public water fountain in Manhattan, 265 feet above sea level to boot. The quaint Tudor homes across the street will make you forget about the bustle of Broadway just two blocks east.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Fort Tryon Park, by New Leaf Restaurant and Linden Terrace</strong><br/><br/>This hidden gem is tucked away by a side path in the forest of <strike>Narnia</strike> Fort Tryon Park. It's very close to the <a href="http://newleafrestaurant.com/g_menu.html">New Leaf Restaurant</a>, if you are to stop for brunch afterwards.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * * *Cleanliness: * * * *<br/><br/><form class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" mt:asset-id="738406" style="display: inline;"> <img alt="9312tyron2.jpg" class="image-none" height="480" src="http://gothamist.com/attachments/byakas/9312tyron2.jpg" width="640"/> </form><br/><br/>Head up the hill to check out its sister fountain, a hunk of stone on the Stan Michels Promenade.The view of the Hudson and the New Jersey Palisades is gorgeous. And yes, there is one of those very special times that "gorgeous" and "New Jersey" can be used in the same sentence.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * * * *Cleanliness: * * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Marcus Garvey Park by 121st Street and Madison Avenue</strong><br/><br/>In the heart of Harlem, Marcus Garvey Park is a green oasis to pedestrians. This hands-free fountain seems to spout automatically all day long, producing a perfect arc of cold waterâand there is no underestimating the importance of strong water pressure. Suffice to say, you won't need Gatorade if you decide to join in on the action on the basketball court.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>St. Nicholas Park by 133rd Street and St. Nicholas Avenue</strong><br/><br/>Between the colorful row homes of St. Nicholas Avenue and the steep hillside park that leads up to Hamilton Heights, this dependable fountain is a convenient stop for cyclists heading down the avenueand kids romping around the playground. For the latter, it has a concrete step to help them get their mouths to the spout.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Central Park West Drive by 108th Street </strong><br/><br/>Near the northwest corner of Central Park, this beautiful old fountain is at a busy crossroads just a frisbee's throw from some of the wildest nature in the park. It's a particularly popular spot for cyclists and pedestrians to stop for a drink, even if some patrons may have to stand on their tippy toes.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * * *Cleanliness: * * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Central Park West Drive by 100th Street</strong><br/><br/>A little farther down in the park, you have this powerful stream of cool water that is excellently maintained. And you can always decide to go for a dive into The Pool afterwards.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Central Park West Drive by 78th Street</strong><br/><br/>One more stop in Central Parkâthis one is a great roadside fountain in the middle of it all, close to The Lake and The Ramble. It does tend to get a little crowded on the weekends however.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Aver Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, Main Lobby</strong><br/><br/>Casinos and hospitals are usually the only fountain-offereing places that are open to the public 24-7. But there are also less obvious spots, like the lobbies of certain hotels and the public areas at Lincoln Center. This particular fountain may remind you a bit of high school, but it's air conditioned, there's a velvet rope to make you feel fancy, and best of all, there's a bathroom right next to it. Never underestimate the power of an easy-to-find restroom.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * *Cold-factor: * * * *Ambiance: * * *Cleanliness: * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Riverside Park South by West 65th Street</strong><br/><br/>In the shade of a willow in a park just above midtown, you'll find this picturesque drinking spot. You can lose yourself gazing out over the Hudson, and afterwards, explore the severely underrated parkâthe style is reminiscent of the High Line, but without all the tourists.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * * * *Cleanliness: * * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Columbus Circle, at the entrance to the park</strong><br/><br/>Dying of thirst? It's easy to jump out of the subway here and run over for a taste. Then you can take all that money you would have spent on bottled water and buy yourself an extra hot dog or two.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * *Cold-factor: * * * *Ambiance: * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Grand Central Station, Main Concourse under the West Balcony</strong><br/><br/>Aesthetically, this is the Rolls Royce of water fountains in NYC. It's worth the trip just for the architecture of the thing. Take a moment to step back and admire the marble basin against the vegetal ornamentation on the wall. And then go ahead and use the nearby toilet.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>West 27th St and the Hudson River Greenway</strong><br/><br/>Listen to the dinghies clank in the marina as you quench your thirst at this pristine fountain. When a cruise liner passes in the shipping lane, the wake sends water splashing onto the promenade. You couldn't get any closer to the river unless you jumped in.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * * * *Cleanliness: * * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>High Line by West 16th Street Entrance</strong><br/><br/>Near the midpoint of the High Line, this be-hearted little fountain offers a backdrop of wild flowers and luxury condos. If you don't mind the High Line, it's a good place for people watching. Oh, and there IS a bathroom.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Union Square Park, by Union Square East and 15th Street</strong><br/><br/>Lou Reed once sang, "Gonna take a walk/down to Union Square/you never know/who you're gonna find there." Except when it comes to this mainstay fountain in the heart of Union Square Park, you do know you'll get dependable, free water everytime. Just watch out for the peepers, ladies.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Minetta Playground, 6th Avenue and Minetta Lane</strong><br/><br/>Nestled near one of the busiest corners of the Village is this gem. Don't be fooled by the gateâit's unlocked during the day. All you have to do is lift the latch and push, head to your left, and drink up.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Washington Square Park</strong><br/><br/>A friendly park-goer named Cess (see photo below) offered us this verse on the drinking fountain at WSP:<br/><br/><em>When you're walking around/Feet getting tired of being on the ground/Don't stop and think to wear a frown/Life is not letting you downIt would be nice if there was water on the mountain/But why don't you just search for a fountain?</em><br/><br/>Water pressure: * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/><form class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" mt:asset-id="738393" style="display: inline;"> <img alt="9312wsp2.jpg" class="image-none" height="480" src="http://gothamist.com/attachments/byakas/9312wsp2.jpg" width="640"/> </form><br/><br/>
<strong>Temperance Fountain, Tompkins Square Park</strong><br/><br/>In the late 19th century, teetotaler Henry Cogswell and his Moderation Society built free ice-water fountains around lower Manhattan to encourage citizens to drink water instead of alcoholic beverages. With four Doric columns supporting a stone canopy and a bronze statue of Hebe, this was surely the finest. The four stone entablatures are emblazoned with the words âHope, Charity, Faith, Temperance.â<br/><br/>Go ahead and heed the words of Cogswell. You can always go for another kind of drink on Avenue A afterwards.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * *Cold-factor: * *Ambiance: * * * * *Cleanliness: * * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Columbus Park, by Mulberry and Mosco Streets</strong><br/><br/>A solid chunk of red fountain on the edge of Chinatownâand it has a bathroom. There's really no underestimating how important it is to know which fountains come with their own public restrooms. <br/><br/>Water pressure: * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>City Hall Park by Centre and Chambers Streets</strong><br/><br/>Mayor Bloomberg's not-so-personal water fountain. With City Hall on one side and the Brooklyn Bridge on the other, this is an iconic spot to take a water break. And with plenty of shade, it's a cool spot as well.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>
<strong>Battery Park, near Castle Clinton National Monument</strong><br/><br/>And here we come to the end, on the southern tip of Manhattan with this particularly cold water fountain. Between the view of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty, it's not a bad way to start or end a cross-Manhattan journey on a beautiful weekend.<br/><br/>Water pressure: * * * *Cold-factor: * * *Ambiance: * * *Cleanliness: * * *<br/><br/>