Pulitzer Fountain

Park Historic Beaux-Arts fountain in Manhattan's Grand Army Plaza

Bronze-and-stone fountain at Grand Army Plaza beside Fifth Avenue and the Plaza Hotel, funded by Joseph Pulitzer; a frequent photo stop amid Midtown Manhattan and Central Park’s southeast corner.

Main image

Pulitzer Fountain is a historic ornamental fountain in Manhattan, New York City, located at Grand Army Plaza at the southeast corner of Central Park. It was installed in the early 20th century and funded from the estate of newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer.

The fountain’s main feature is a bronze figure representing the Roman goddess Pomona at the top of a large circular basin, set within Grand Army Plaza between 5th Avenue and 59th Street. The plaza and fountain form a prominent urban landmark used as a meeting point and photo stop by visitors to Central Park and Midtown Manhattan.

The fountain was commissioned from the estate of Joseph Pulitzer and was executed in the 1910s; the bronze figure of Pomona was created by sculptor Karl Bitter and the ensemble was installed and unveiled in 1916. Over the decades the fountain has undergone restoration work to conserve the sculpture and masonry and to maintain its role as a public monument.

Set at Grand Army Plaza on the southeast corner of Central Park, the fountain sits on Manhattan’s Midtown border adjacent to the Plaza Hotel and the entrance to the park.

  • Sculptural subject: The central figure represents the Roman goddess Pomona and is the fountain's principal sculptural element.
  • Location: Located at Grand Army Plaza at the southeast corner of Central Park, close to the Plaza Hotel and the intersection of 5th Avenue and 59th Street.
Pulitzer Fountain
Pulitzer Fountain, Grand Army Plaza (59th St & 5th Ave), Manhattan, New York, NY
40.7642, -73.9739
Public square (open 24 hours)
Free

How to Get to Pulitzer Fountain #

The fountain is at Grand Army Plaza, at the southeast corner of Central Park (59th St and 5th Ave). Nearest subway lines include N/Q/R/W/4/5/6 at nearby stations; many bus routes serve Midtown Manhattan. It’s an easy walk from Fifth Avenue shopping and Central Park.

Tips for Visiting Pulitzer Fountain #

  • Visit just after sunrise for quieter photos of the fountain and Grand Army Plaza without the traffic.
  • The fountain's bronze figure (Pomona) was sculpted by Karl Bitter and the plaza is a classic New York thoroughfare-watch for traffic when photographing.

Best Time to Visit Pulitzer Fountain #

The fountain is accessible year-round; mornings and shoulder seasons are best for calmer visits.

Spring & Fall
April-June, September-November · 8-22°C
Comfortable for walking and street-level observation.
Summer
July-August · 22-30°C
Busy with tourists and warm temperatures.
Winter
December-February · -5-7°C
Snow and holiday bustle alter the plaza's feel; fountain may be turned off.

Weather & Climate near Pulitzer Fountain #

Climate

Pulitzer Fountain's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1215 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
-4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm).

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 22°

Weather

112 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 26°

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (114 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
19° 29°

Weather

114 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
19° 28°

Weather

109 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 24°

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
18°

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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