Cleopatra’s Needle – The Ancient Egyptian Obelisk in Central Park
Hidden in plain sight just behind the Met stands the oldest object in all of Central Park — and one of the oldest in New York City. Known as Cleopatra’s Needle, this towering granite obelisk is a genuine piece of ancient Egypt, quietly weathering New York winters after more than three and a half thousand years.
🗿 Three and a half thousand years of history
The obelisk was carved from a single piece of granite and first raised in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis around 1450 BC, during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III. Standing about 69 feet tall and weighing some 220 tons, its four sides are covered in hieroglyphs celebrating the pharaohs. To stand beside it in Central Park is to stand next to a monument older than almost anything else you will ever see in the city.
👑 Why the name is a misnomer
Despite being called Cleopatra’s Needle, the obelisk actually predates the famous queen by well over a thousand years. The nickname came much later — a piece of romantic branding that stuck. It is also one of a pair: its twin stands beside the River Thames in London.
🚢 An epic journey to New York
The obelisk was a gift from Egypt, and getting it to New York in 1880–1881 was a monumental engineering feat. It travelled by ship across the Atlantic and was then hauled slowly across Manhattan on a specially built railway before being carefully raised on its pedestal in the park — a spectacle that captivated the whole city at the time.
🚲 The easiest way to see it
Cleopatra’s Needle stands on Greywacke Knoll, directly behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art near 81st Street. It is easy to miss on foot, but a pedicab takes you right to it and pairs it naturally with the Met and the Reservoir just beyond.
✔ See it on the 1-hour Central Park pedicab tour from $30
✔ See all tour options on the Central Park pedicab tour page
✔ Ready to go? Book your ride here
📸 Good to know
🆓 The obelisk is free to visit and stands out in the open park
🔍 Look closely at the hieroglyphs — though centuries of weather have worn some of them, much is still visible
📷 The nearby Met facade makes a striking backdrop for photos
🗺️ What’s nearby
The obelisk sits on the park’s east side, steps from other highlights:
🏛️ The Metropolitan Museum of Art — directly in front of the obelisk
💧 The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir — the famous running loop to the north
⛲ Bethesda Terrace & Fountain — the grand heart of the park
❓ Frequently asked questions
Where is Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park?
On Greywacke Knoll, just behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art near 81st Street.
How old is the obelisk?
It was first raised in Egypt around 1450 BC — roughly 3,500 years ago.
Is it really connected to Cleopatra?
Not directly — it predates her by over a thousand years. The name is a later nickname.
What is the easiest way to see it?
A private pedicab tour takes you right to it and on to the Met and the Reservoir. Rides start at $30.
An ancient wonder tucked into a modern park — Cleopatra’s Needle is one of Central Park’s most surprising treasures, and a pedicab makes it easy to find. Book a Central Park pedicab tour from $30.
