Belvedere Castle

Constructed in 1872 by designer Frederick Law Olmsted, Belvedere Castle is one of Central Parks most enchanting attractions, providing AAMCAR Car Rental New York City travelers with a unique mix of medieval and modern culture. Perched atop an immense outcropping of bedrock, this delightful structure is currently home to the Henry Luce Nature Observatory, as well as art exhibits and seasonal displays. Located within walking distance of Central Parks Turtle Pond, the Great Lawn and the Delacorte Theater, Belvedere Castle is one of NYC most prized architectural monuments. Named for the castles large belvedere tower, Belvedere Castle adds a dash of unexpected class to the carefully crafted pastoral land landscape.

The Castle Then and Now

The Belvedere Castle in Central Park was originally constructed as a Victorian folly in 1872, showcase a myriad of open window frames and doorways. In architectural terms a folly, or fantasy building, is simply a pint-sized representation of a Greek or Roman temple, or as in this case, a Gothic Castle. Today the castle features true windows and doors, playing host to one of the parks most popular attractions the Henry Luce Nature Observatory. This state-of-the-art building features a variety of exciting displays showcase the natural world beneath high powered microscopes and technologically advanced telescopic lenses. Designed to inspire car rental New York City travelers of all ages, the Henry Luce Nature Observatory also features a display of paper mch reproductions, representing most of the local birdlife. Belvedere Castle is also home to one of the citys most advanced meteorological instruments, providing AAMCAR Car Rental New York City travelers with up-to-the-minute weather reports and temperature readings.

Located atop the second highest vista in Central Park, Belvedere Castle is a great place to begin any Central Park adventure providing travelers with wide-spanning views of the surrounding landscape and tourist attractions. Facilities located within walking distance of Belvedere Castle include:

  • Turtle Pond and Turtle Island: Located directly beneath Belvedere Castle, Turtle pond features an extensive natural habitat of shoreline plants, providing insects, reptiles and birds with a sound ecological niche.
  • The Great Lawn: The Great Lawn is located just next door to Belvedere Castle, providing AAMCAR Car Rental New York City travelers with a place to stretch their legs and enjoy some physical activity. The Great Lawn is also the site of many annual events and open-air concerts.
  • The Delacorte Theater: The Delacorte Theater, which can be seen from the top of the Belvedere observation tower, is home to numerous summer theatrical presentations, including the ultra popular Shakespeare in the Park festival.

If youre traveling with young nature enthusiasts during your upcoming AAMCAR Car Rentals New York City vacation, remember to drop by Belvedere Castle and ask for one of the free backpack packages, which feature binoculars, reference material, maps and notepaper. Budding naturalists are encouraged to borrow these hand knapsacks before embarking on a further adventure of the surrounding areas. AAMCAR Car Rentals New York City recommends investigating the Ramble area (located just outside the castle) first, as it houses many exciting insect and bird species.

Belvedere Castles mix of old and new creates an exciting tourist attraction at the heart of Central Park, so dont miss your chance to drop by and check it out! Open from Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 4:30pm, Belvedere Castle is unlike any other attraction in the city, so grab a friend and remember to check it out during your upcoming AAMCAR Car Rental New York City vacation. If you would like to learn more about the history of Belvedere Castle please feel free to visit the official Central Park website at www.centralparknyc.org. Visitors are also invited to contact the Castle information center for more details on current exhibitions on display at the Henry Luce Nature Observatory by calling 212-772-0210.