Movies in Central Park, New York

I’ve already written about all the reasons I love New York in the summertime, and especially when we visit in August.

When we’re there, we always make a point of seeing the free films screened in Central Park – these tend to be the third week in August, rain or shine. A big screen is set up in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow and you can bring along blankets or towels to camp out on the grass and a picnic dinner.

The films are older and are usually set in New York. We’ve seen lots over the years: The original King Kong from 1935, back when the Empire State Building was brand spanking new, Saturday Night Fever, Fame, Animal House, Dream Girls. This past year we saw I Am Legend (the adults hated it, but the kids loved it), Tootsie and Desperately Seeking Susan.

It’s fun to see the grittier New York of the 1970s and 1980s, especially for my husband and kids who never saw that version and don’t quite believe me when I tell them about it.

A great way to spend an evening out under the stars in beautiful Central Park.