New York Dearest
The guide, $35
A landmark · Central Park · on two of my lists

Cleopatra’s Needle.

Worth it, says Antonina. The famous obelisk in Central Park is commonly referred to as Cleopatra’s Needle.

Antonina Pattiz
Antonina PattizI went myself · from my list Best cherry blossom spots in Central Park
Pink magnolia blossoms frame a stone obelisk against a bright sky.
From Best cherry blossom spots in Central Park
A person stands on a path looking up at Cleopatra's Needle obelisk surrounded by trees in Central Park.
From Visiting Central Park
Address
East 81st Street
Website
centralparknyc.org
What this page is

Everything I’ve written about Cleopatra’s Needle on New York Dearest, in one place. It’s on two of my lists, Visiting Central Park and Best cherry blossom spots in Central Park. Below you’ll find every list it’s on with what I wrote there. At the end, where it is and what’s near.

  1. Visiting Central ParkWorth it
  2. Best cherry blossom spots in Central ParkWorth it

Where it appears on New York Dearest

Two of my lists
Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.

Visiting Central Park

No. 16 on that list
Worth it
What I wrote thereFold it away

Dating back 3,5000 years, the Obelisk (known as Cleopatra’s Needle) is the tallest and oldest man-made structure in the park. It’s located near Belvedere Castle, so you can easily see both of attractions in one fell swoop. In my opinion, this one of the most underrated things to see in Central Park.

Here’s the (super-quick) quick history recap.

  • Around 1450 B.C. Pharaoh Thutmosis III commissioned the construction of two obelisks to celebrate his 30th year of reign.
  • In 1881, Egypt gifted one of the obelisks to Central Park and the other to London (it stands on the bank of the Thames River).
  • Before the obelisk was erected in Central Park in 1881, a time capsule was buried underneath.
  • The time capsule contains. a bible, the 1870 U.S. census, copy of Webster’s Dictionary, the complete works of William Shakespeare, a guide to Egypt and a copy of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Read it on the list
Worth it

The magnolia trees encircling Cleopatra’s Needle are truly breathtaking.

What I wrote thereFold it away

The famous obelisk in Central Park is commonly referred to as Cleopatra’s Needle. Dating back 3,500 years, this is the oldest (and tallest) man-made structure in the park. If you’re a history buff, I suggest reading about the history of the Obelisk here.

Here’s the (super-quick) quick history recap.

  • Around 1450 B.C. Pharaoh Thutmosis III commissioned the construction of two obelisks to celebrate his 30th year of reign.
  • In 1881 Egypt gifted one of the obelisks to Central Park and the other to London (it stands on the bank of the Thames River).
  • Before the obelisk was erected in Central Park (in 1881), a time capsule was buried underneath.
  • The time capsule contains. 1870 U.S. census, a Bible, a Webster’s Dictionary, the complete works of William Shakespeare, a guide to Egypt, and a copy of the United States Declaration of Independence.

The magnolia trees encircling Cleopatra’s Needle are truly breathtaking. The trees produce luscious mug-sized magnolias that dress the barren branches with bright colors from early to mid-April. This is easily one of the best spots for spring blooms in Central Park.

Read it on the list

Where it is, and what’s near

Worth it, within a ten-minute walk
Open it on my map
Nearby, from my lists
On The Best of New York

I put Cleopatra’s Needle on my best list.

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