NYC 2026 Trip--Central Park Bits

We visited Central Park briefly on our Spring trip to New York City. We came in the west side at West 86th Street (out of the subway, naturally). The park entrance here is very unassuming. 

The way into Central Park

This entrance brought us straight to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, the largest body of water in the park. It was built in 1862 and eventually decommissioned as a reservoir in 1993. It was named after Jackie Kennedy, who used to jog around here. The jogging trail is still there and is a little over a mile and a half long. 

JKO Reservoir

El Dorado Apartment building overlooking the reservoir

We meandered along the trails, trying to get south of West 86th Street, which cuts through the park. We found one of the many charming bridges in the park. 

Not actually over 86th

Behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art is Cleopatra's Needle. The Egyptian obelisk was originally erected in Heliopolis in 1450 BC along with another obelisk. The inscriptions were added by Ramesses II in 1250 BC. The obelisks were moved to Alexandria by Cleopatra in 12 BC to commemorate the Roman conquerors of Egypt. In the late 19th century AD, the Egyptian government gave these two obelisks away--one to the United States and one to the United Kingdom. The UK obelisk is in London.

Cleopatra's Needle

A rough translation of the inscription

Crab at the corner of the obelisk's base

Not far from the obelisk is the King Jagellio Monument. Originally made for the 1939 World's Fair by Stanislaw Ostrowski, this feature of Poland's exhibit couldn't be returned because of World War II. The statue was moved to Central Park in 1943. Jagellio was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. He defeated the Teutonic Order at the Battle of Gruwald in 1410.

King Jagellio Monument

Awesome dual-sword wielding!

A small lake called the Turtle Pond didn't have any turtles when we saw it. There were some short ladders that were labeled for ice rescues. They seemed a bit rickety for the job--maybe the intent is to scare visitors away from playing on the ice (when the pond is frozen). 

Turtle Pond

Overlooking the pond is Belvedere Castle. The castle was built in 1869 as a lookout. Now it is a gift shop, though previously it was used as a weather station. Visitors come for the views of the park. The rocky outcropping it stands on is also impressive.

Stairs chiseled into the rock

Castle Belvedere

Another view of the castle

On our way out of the park at East 79th Street, we saw Cedar Hill, which did have some cedars on it.

Cedar Hill

There is a lot more of Central Park to explore which we will definitely do on future trips!