RDU Observation Park

RDU Observation Park is a plane-spotting park on the grounds of Raleigh-Durham International Airport, near the air traffic control tower, with a Morrisville mailing address. The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority runs it, and there is no admission charge.

The park’s raised viewing platform looks straight at the airport’s 10,000-foot primary runway, and loudspeakers play the live radio traffic between pilots and the tower, so visitors can hear a landing being cleared before the plane appears. Around the platform are a picnic area, play equipment and a small kids’ runway, along with educational signs about the aircraft, a lawn and restrooms.

What to know

• It is one of two authorized aircraft-spotting locations at RDU; the other is the top of the central parking deck.
• RDU’s page gives no street address and other sources disagree on one, so navigate by the park’s name.
• Parking in the park’s lot is free.