Belvedere Castle

Explore this intriguing departure from typical New York City architecture, a popular Victorian building in Central Park with a grand turret and superb views.

Conjuring associations with medieval courts and fantastical palaces, Belvedere Castle is an unusual sight among the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan. Marvel at this dramatic structure standing tall over a pond, which is green in summer and frozen white in winter. See why the castle’s name, Belvedere, comes from the Italian word for “beautiful view.”

Fusing gothic and Romanesque styles, Belvedere Castle was originally designed to be a Victorian folly to entertain sightseers. Since 1919 it has gradually become a research station, recording climatic figures such as rainfall and wind direction. It is likely that if you see a weather forecast with temperatures in Central Park, it was taken here. Enjoy an afternoon walk around this wonderful place.

Circle its schist and granite exterior and get a picture with one of the castle’s stunning towers in the background. Remember that Belvedere Castle sits on top of Vista Rock, one of the highest natural points of elevation in Central Park. Ascend the steps of this great structure and look out over panoramic views of Manhattan skyscrapers.

Tour the interior on your way to the top, where you will find the Henry Luce Nature Observatory. Examine natural history artifacts, including equipment that is used to study the natural world and animal skeletons. On the second floor, find papier mâché replicas of bird species that are found within the park's grounds.

From the castle, birdwatchers may be able to see birds of prey such as kestrels and ospreys. Use one of the observatory's field packs, containing binoculars and maps and go on a wildlife spotting adventure in the park.

Belvedere Castle is located on 79th Street Transverse. Drive from 79th Street into the center of Central Park or arrive on foot. If you are coming from the East Side, take the subway to 86th Street and walk. From the West Side, take the subway to 81st Street.

The striking looking attraction is open every day except Mondays, and admission is free.

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Hotels near Belvedere Castle

Empire Hotel

44 W 63rd St

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly hotel is located in the city center, within 1 mi (2 km) of Times Square, Broadway, and Rockefeller Center. Grand Central Terminal and Empire State Building are also within 2 mi (3 km). 66 St. - Lincoln Center Station and 59 St. - Columbus Circle Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Arthouse Hotel New York City

2178 Broadway at W 77th St

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper West Side, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Beacon Theater, Central Park, and American Museum of Natural History. Lincoln Center and Columbus Circle are also within 1 mi (2 km). 79 St. Station is only a 3-minute walk and 72nd St. Station (Broadway) is 7 minutes.

Bentley Hotel

500 E 62nd St

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper East Side, this boutique hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, and Roosevelt Island. Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue are also within 1 mi (2 km). Roosevelt Island Tramway Manhattan Station is 8 minutes by foot and Lexington Av.-63 St. Station is 9 minutes.

Hotel Belleclaire

2175 Broadway

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper West Side, this boutique hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Central Park, Times Square, and Broadway. Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Terminal are also within 3 mi (5 km). 79 St. Station is only a 3-minute walk and 72nd St. Station (Broadway) is 6 minutes.

Belnord Hotel

209 West 87th Street

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper West Side, this hotel is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Central Park and within 3 mi (5 km) of 5th Avenue and Times Square. Broadway and Rockefeller Center are also within 3 mi (5 km). West 86th Street Station is only a 2-minute walk and 96 St. Station (Broadway) is 8 minutes.

Excelsior Hotel

45 W 81st St

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper West Side, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Central Park and American Museum of Natural History. Metropolitan Museum of Art and Lincoln Center are also within 1 mi (2 km). 81 St. - Museum of Natural History Station is only a 3-minute walk and 86 St. Station (Central Park West) is 8 minutes.

The Lucerne Hotel

201 W 79th St

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper West Side, this romantic hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Beacon Theater and Central Park. American Museum of Natural History and Lincoln Center are also within 1 mi (2 km). 79 St. Station is only a 2-minute walk and 81 St. - Museum of Natural History Station is 8 minutes.

Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Upper East Side

410 E 92nd St

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper East Side, this hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Central Park, and Metropolitan Museum of Art. Madison Avenue and Mount Sinai Hospital are also within 1 mi (2 km). East 86th Street Station is 9 minutes by foot and 96 St. Station (Lexington Av.) is 12 minutes.

Night Hotel Broadway

215 W 94th St

Rated 3.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper West Side, this hotel is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Children's Museum of Manhattan and within 3 mi (5 km) of Museum of Modern Art and American Folk Art Museum. 96 St. Station (Broadway) is only a 2-minute walk and West 86th Street Station is 7 minutes.

Hotel Newton

2528 Broadway

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper West Side, this hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Central Park, Columbia University, and Metropolitan Museum of Art. Beacon Theater and American Museum of Natural History are also within 1 mi (2 km). 96 St. Station (Broadway) is only a 2-minute walk and West 86th Street Station is 7 minutes.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham New York City Central Park

31 W 71st St

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Central Park, Lincoln Center, and Beacon Theater. Columbus Circle and Metropolitan Opera House are also within 15 minutes. 72 St. Station (Central Park West) is only a 3-minute walk and 72nd St. Station (Broadway) is 6 minutes.

voco The Franklin New York, an IHG Hotel

164 E 87th St

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper East Side, this boutique hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Central Park, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and Madison Avenue. Metropolitan Museum of Art and Lenox Hill Hospital are also within 15 minutes. 86 St. Station (Lexington Av.) is only a 2-minute walk and East 86th Street Station is 4 minutes.

The Wallace

242 W 76th St

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper West Side, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Central Park, American Museum of Natural History, and Lincoln Center. Columbus Circle and Carnegie Hall are also within 2 mi (3 km). 79 St. Station is only a 4-minute walk and 72nd St. Station (Broadway) is 5 minutes.

The Surrey

20 East 76th Street

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Madison Avenue, Central Park, and Lenox Hill Hospital. Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park Zoo are also within 15 minutes. 77 St. Station (Lexington Av.) is 5 minutes by foot and 72nd Street Station is 13 minutes.

The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York

2 E 61st St

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Central Park, Bloomingdale's, and Park Avenue Armory. Frick Collection and Rockefeller Center are also within 15 minutes. 5 Av.- 60 St. Station is only a 2-minute walk and 57 St. Station is 7 minutes.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

35 E 76th St

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Manhattan, this luxury hotel is steps from Lenox Hill Hospital and Madison Avenue. Central Park and Metropolitan Museum of Art are also within 10 minutes. 77 St. Station (Lexington Av.) is only a 5-minute walk and 72nd Street Station is 13 minutes.

Gardens Suites Hotel by Affinia

215 E 64th St

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper East Side, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Madison Avenue and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. 5th Avenue and Central Park are also within 15 minutes. Lexington Av.-63 St. Station is only a 3-minute walk and Roosevelt Island Tramway Manhattan Station is 5 minutes.

Hotel Plaza Athenee

37 E 64th St

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly New York hotel is located in the historical district, within a 5-minute walk of Madison Avenue and Central Park. 5th Avenue and Central Park Zoo are also within 10 minutes. 5 Av.- 60 St. Station is only a 5-minute walk and Lexington Av.-63 St. Station is 5 minutes.

Hotel Wales

Madison Avenue, 1295

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper East Side, this boutique hotel is steps from The Jewish Museum and Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. National Academy of Design Museum and 92nd Street Y are also within 5 minutes. 96 St. Station (Lexington Av.) is 8 minutes by foot and 86 St. Station (Lexington Av.) is 10 minutes.

The Marmara Manhattan

301 E 94th St

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Upper East Side, this aparthotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Central Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and American Museum of Natural History. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Mount Sinai Hospital are also within 1 mi (2 km). 96 St. Station (Lexington Av.) is 7 minutes by foot and East 86th Street Station is 7 minutes.

The Mark

Madison Ave at 77th Street

Rated 4.8 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly New York hotel is located in the historical district, within 1 mi (2 km) of Central Park and Bloomingdale's. Rockefeller Center and Times Square are also within 2 mi (3 km). 77 St. Station (Lexington Av.) is only a 4-minute walk and 86 St. Station (Lexington Av.) is 13 minutes.

Trump International Hotel & Tower New York

1 Central Park W

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in the heart of New York, this family-friendly hotel is steps from Columbus Circle and Central Park. Lincoln Center and Metropolitan Opera House are also within 10 minutes. 59 St. - Columbus Circle Station is only a 2-minute walk and 57 St. - 7 Av Station is 3 minutes.

Mandarin Oriental, New York

80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this luxury hotel is steps from Columbus Circle and Central Park. Lincoln Center and Metropolitan Opera House are also within 10 minutes. 59 St. - Columbus Circle Station is only a 2-minute walk and 57 St. - 7 Av Station is 4 minutes.

The Lowell

28 East 63rd Street

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly New York hotel is located in the historical district, within a 5-minute walk of Madison Avenue, Central Park, and 5th Avenue. Museum of Modern Art and St. Patrick's Cathedral are also within 15 minutes. Lexington Av.-63 St. Station is only a 5-minute walk and 5 Av.- 60 St. Station is 5 minutes.