Belvedere Castle overlooking Turtle Pond
The Henry Luce Nature Observatory inside of Belvedere Castle is a wonderful educational site that teaches visitors about nature and wildlife in Central Park. Climbing up and down the narrow, winding staircases of Belvedere Castle, guests can see all that this small Observatory has to offer, including microscopes, telescopes, and Discovery Kits complete with binoculars, maps, and paper for jotting down findings in the Park.
The second floor, decorated with papier mâché replicas of the birds found in the Park, is a great location for bird watching. The Observatory also offers up-to-the-minute weather forecasts for those who request them.
This attraction is free, and is open to the public Tuesday-Sunday from 10AM - 5PM.