Chess & Checkers House

Chess & Checkers House is an official visitor center run by the Conservancy. Surrounding the octagonal structure are 24 permanent tables with inlaid chess boards, attracting master players and newcomers alike.

Game pieces are available inside the building along with dominos, backgammon, and other board games.

Chess & Checkers House is among the newer additions to the Children’s District, an area of the Park dedicated to children and their caregivers. It stands on the former site of the Kinderberg—Dutch for “children’s mountain”—a large, rustic structure offering shade, shelter, and a place to rest. In 1952, long after the Kinderberg fell into disrepair, Chess & Checkers House was erected in its place.

Things you can do here

Daily Activities

Board Games at Chess & Checkers House

Borrow chess, checkers, dominos, and backgammon pieces or bring your own to play.

A view of the Pond with the buildings of Fifth Avenue in the background

Virtual Programs

Southern Welcome

Just steps from the bustling midtown streets are some of Central Park’s most serene and exquisite landmarks.

Tags: Staff Picks

Park goes walk across a bridge that spans the Pond, with Fifth Avenue's buildings looming in the background

Self-Guided Tours

South End Tour

Explore one of the most popular areas of Central Park — from the Children’s District to the smallest of the Park’s woodland landscapes.

A Discovery Kit with crayons, binoculars, and other goodies, pictured on a lawn in summer

Kids & Families

Discovery Kits

Borrow a Discovery Kit filled with kid-friendly materials for a Park adventure.

Programs and Events

New Yorkers Celebrate Spring in Central Park

A full day of free special events and programs unfolded across Central Park on March 20 to celebrate the first day of spring.

Tags: Families / Conservancy Staff / Programs and Events / Spring

A view looking down the Mall from the steps of Bethesda Terrace on a snowy winter day

Things to See and Do

How to Spend the Holiday Season in Central Park

The holidays are a wonderful time to visit Central Park! Here are some ways to make lasting memories in the Park during the final few months of the year.

Tags: Winter