Belvedere Castle, New York City

Enjoy a fantastic day out with the family in Central Park with a trip to Belvedere Castle. A beautiful Victorian folly built in 1869, this archaic castle has withstood the test of time as you can see by the incredible preservation of this grand building. ‘Belvedere’ is Italian for ‘beautiful view’ or ‘panoramic view’, so when you arrive you can expect a sensational view of the scenic gardens of Central Park, a green haven among the sprawling metropolis of New York.

Originally, the castle was intended to serve as an impeccable attraction in Central Park, though was fitted with weather measurement instruments by the National Weather Service to determine windspeed and direction. In 1983, after some deterioration, Central Park Conservancy renovated to repair the decaying walls, and build in the Henry Luce Nature Observatory. This means that a trip here today gives you the chance to catch natural artefacts such as wildlife skeletons, as well as take a great vantage point perfect for seeing some hawks, kestrels or ospreys. 

Have a gander around this stone structure and appreciate the advanced ingenuity of this beautiful castle. Head to one of the two balconies, or the raised platforms on top of natural rock formations to experience privileged vistas of this incredible park. Here you can see the local wildlife in action as you enjoy a day visit to the jewel of Central Park, the beautiful Belvedere Castle.