Charles A. Dana Discovery Center

Nestled on the north shore of the Harlem Meer is the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, a visitor center with a host of free educational and community programs, exhibits, tours, and holiday celebrations.
While the building looks quaint, the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center was built in 1993 by the Conservancy. It is Central Park’s newest building, and the first to be built specifically as a visitor center.
Things you can do here

Self-Guided Tours
North End Tour
Discover the northern area of Central Park — from the site of a military fortification to the Park’s only formal garden.

Self-Guided Tours
Exploring the North End
Roam through wooded hills and elegant gardens on an afternoon in Central Park’s north end.
Tags: Woodlands

Kids & Families
Landforms: A History of Central Park's Fort Landscape
At the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, learn how natural features in Central Park's north end played an important role in shaping the history of our City—and our nation.
Tags: History
Daily Activities
Catch-and-Release Fishing

Kids & Families
Discovery Kits
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Park History
Harlem Meer Performance Festival Nears 30 Years of Music and Dance
Since 1993, the Harlem Meer Performance Festival has been a cultural cornerstone of the community surrounding the north end of Central Park.
Tags: Summer / Programs and Events

Programs and Events
The Hair-Raising History of the Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla
Tags: Programs and Events / Fall / About the Conservancy / Best for Kids