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Belvedere Castle
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Belvedere Castle

See all things to do
See all things to do
Belvedere Castle
4
#128 of 1,447 things to do in New York City
Castles
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
** This place is temporarily closed.** Originally built in 1869 as a lookout, this Rococo-style castle now houses the Henry Luce Nature Observatory and weather measuring devices.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Central Park
How to get there
  • 81st St – Museum of Natural History • 6 min walk
  • 86th St • 9 min walk
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See what travelers are saying
  • Maltipoo16
    New York1,181 contributions
    Great viewing area!
    It wasn’t as big and exciting as I was expecting, but it was very pretty. The top of the castle is basically just a small concrete platform with viewing areas. There were excellent views of the park and the city from the castle. I wish the visitor center/gift shop was open past 5, because I really wanted to purchase something, and their main shop was too far of a walk for my handicapped dog.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 14, 2023
  • joaniemaria
    Eldridge, Iowa2,395 contributions
    I recommend visiting
    We walked through Central Park and stopped at Belvidere castle. We climbed to the top and enjoyed the view. There is a small gift shop inside the building. There was a line to enter, but it is free. The Count on Sesame Street’s castle is modeled after this landmark. I recommend visiting.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written May 16, 2023
  • Jack
    Old Bethpage, New York770 contributions
    Beautiful! Worth a visit!
    This was on my bucket list and was definitely worth it. The castle is right in the heart of Central Park and is very beautiful and architectural pleasing. It is free and today was raining, so there wasn’t many people. There is a gift shop and the staircase is very narrow meaning people can only go one direction at a time. You can go to the deck at the top for great views with views of Turtle Pond, the Great Lawn, and the surrounding buildings. It’s great! I highly recommend!
    Visited August 2023
    Written August 10, 2023
  • The Trusty Trip Gal!
    England, United Kingdom114 contributions
    Cute Little Castle
    The last time I came to New York I saw this little Castle from across the lake but didn’t know how to get to it so this time I came to New York we got directions to it! It’s only small is the Castle but it worth going to visit. There is some cute little views of the park from the top and even better! It is free! A pleasant experience thank you!
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 11, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
534 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
263
Average
96
Poor
10
Terrible
3
Brendan M
5 contributions
Castle-rrific!
Nov 2023 • Family
Fun spot in Central Park to check out. Superb photo op on a nice day. Short wait times and some very cool views of the city. Recommend!
Written 11 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Trusty Trip Gal!
England, UK114 contributions
Cute Little Castle
Sep 2023 • Couples
The last time I came to New York I saw this little Castle from across the lake but didn’t know how to get to it so this time I came to New York we got directions to it!

It’s only small is the Castle but it worth going to visit. There is some cute little views of the park from the top and even better! It is free!

A pleasant experience thank you!
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack
Old Bethpage, NY770 contributions
Beautiful! Worth a visit!
Aug 2023
This was on my bucket list and was definitely worth it. The castle is right in the heart of Central Park and is very beautiful and architectural pleasing. It is free and today was raining, so there wasn’t many people. There is a gift shop and the staircase is very narrow meaning people can only go one direction at a time. You can go to the deck at the top for great views with views of Turtle Pond, the Great Lawn, and the surrounding buildings. It’s great! I highly recommend!
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELKW
United States11,862 contributions
worth to take a look
Aug 2022 • Family
free to enter, it's a beautiful spot in the central park, worth to take a look, and you can go up to see the view
Written 6 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joaniemaria
Eldridge, IA2,395 contributions
I recommend visiting
Apr 2023 • Friends
We walked through Central Park and stopped at Belvidere castle. We climbed to the top and enjoyed the view. There is a small gift shop inside the building. There was a line to enter, but it is free. The Count on Sesame Street’s castle is modeled after this landmark. I recommend visiting.
Written 16 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maltipoo16
New York1,181 contributions
Great viewing area!
Apr 2023 • Family
It wasn’t as big and exciting as I was expecting, but it was very pretty. The top of the castle is basically just a small concrete platform with viewing areas. There were excellent views of the park and the city from the castle. I wish the visitor center/gift shop was open past 5, because I really wanted to purchase something, and their main shop was too far of a walk for my handicapped dog.
Written 15 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg Harris
Bronx, NY1,593 contributions
Greg & Kat’s Belvedere Castle Experience
Oct 2022 • Couples
The Belvedere Castle is one of the most iconic and widely visited attraction of New York City, NY.

Located in Central Park, the Belvedere Castle is a folly and a Romanesque & Gothic style building that was designed by notable architects, Calvert Vaux. and Jacob Wrey Mould in the early 20th Century.

The castle’s name “Belvedere” means “beautiful view” in Italian and since 1919, the castle has been open to the public to visit and tour.

In October of 2022 and on a gorgeous sunny day, I brought my wife and myself to visit Belvedere Castle, and we were in absolute awe of the beauty and grandeur of this well designed spectacle.

Additionally, my wife and I enjoyed the scenic views of the Great Lawn & Turtle Pond that can be seen from the observation decks of the castle.

When visiting New York, we highly recommend for everyone to visit, explore and take pictures of this beloved and perfectly made Central Park treasure!!!
Written 15 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnnnita
Napa, CA2,470 contributions
CASTLE OR TOWER? IT IS STILL EYE CATCHING!
Mar 2022
No doubt there was ample notification that Belvedere "Castle" was closed for some work being done. However, we didn't find out until we showed up. It wasn't a big deal, since there's still plenty to enjoy around it. Still, it would have been nice to go inside and look around.

If it still is closed, walk around the left side of the building to find great views of Turtle Pond, the Delacorte Theater, and the Great Lawn. During our visit, the theater was closed, but it was nice to see it from a distance.

By the way, while you're looking at the castle, make it a point to read the plaque inscription outside on the building. That's where you will find the description that raises the question in my title. Read for yourself.
Written 15 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
srpanderson70
Milton, FL301 contributions
Perfect location!
May 2022
It is a whimsical castle in the middle of Central Park that you can enter and climb up spiral staircases to the top and see Central Park. If you are not too set in your adulthood, it is a fun, whimsical, imaginative place to bring back childhood memories. A place, that if it was in your own backyard, then you would be the most popular person in the neighborhood!
Written 18 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bfltd0
London, UK668 contributions
A little bit of Disney in Central Park
May 2022
If you are walking in Central Park, you just have to visit this pastiche of a castle. It is almost like a Disney interpretation of a fairy take castle, just in miniature. There is a main deck, with castellations, and two more upper levels, which are reached through a 1-person wide turreted spiral staircase, so it is only one way traffic at ony one time and you may have to wait to go up or down.

Once up at the top level, it is a perfect selfie spot with good 360 degree views to the lake in one direction and over the Rambles in the other.

It doesn't take long to go through the entire place, but it is well worth a stop to visit here, especially if you have been walking around the park for a while.
Written 10 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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BELVEDERE CASTLE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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