Named for philanthropist Henry Luce (founder of Time Magazine) the Nature Observatory is housed inside one of the parks most beautiful buildings, Belvedere Castle. The Castle also houses the Central Park center of the National Weather Bureau. Every minute the current climate conditions are sent to the weather center at Brookhaven, Long Island.
Inside can be found collections of natural history artifacts (skeletons, papier mache birds) as well as microscopes and telescopes, all designed to give young visitors an insight into methodology of naturalists. Aspiring scientists can borrow field packs that contain binoculars, reference material, maps, and notepaper, which can all be used to explore the Ramble, or to study the life aquatic life from the edge of Turtle Pond. And lastly the Castle is also the favorite haunt of many of Central Park’s cadre of dedicated bird watcher’s, a great place to catch a glimpse of hawks, kestrels or osprey
Location: Mid-Park at 79th Street
Details: (212) 772-0210
Hours: 10am-5pm, Tuesday- Sunday
About Central Park
Find all the information you need to enjoy your visit to New York City’s iconic Central Park.
Attractions
Central Park features 843 acres filled with classic architecture, gorgeous statuary and up to date sports, educational and performance facilities. Besides all of this there is the world famous Central Park Zoo and Wildlife Center and the Children’s Zoo.
Things To Do
From The Philharmonic on the Great Lawn to Shakespeare in the Park to SummerStage, Central Park offers an endless array of things to do, see, hear – and, with two full service restaurants and several cafes, taste. You can visit The Shakespeare Garden, take in a performance at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, take a ride on the Carousel – or just sit and people watch at Bethesda Terrace!
Contact Us
Contact Info
5th Ave.
New York, NY, 10028