New York City is the number one destination in the U.S. It offers so many things to do, and a getaway can be packed with history, world-class museums and every food imaginable. However, most visitors are shocked to learn it is home to National Parks too. It boasts more than 10 national park sites. From the Statue of Liberty to the Stonewall Monument, find National Park sites across the city. Here’s a list of the Best National Parks in NYC.
11 Best National Parks in NYC
Statue of Liberty National Monument
Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
Castle Clinton National Monument
Federal Hall National Monument
Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site
Stonewall National Monument
African Burial Ground National Monument
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
Governor’s Island National Monument
General Grant National Memorial
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
4-Day New York City Itinerary
Are the National Parks Sites in NYC Worth Visiting
Since the Statute of Liberty is a National Park site, the answer is yes. However, NYC offers so many notable attractions it would be hard to see all of them on a single trip.
Over the years and several trips, I have visited most of the NPS sites. Each offers a unique sliver of history. So I recommend you visit the ones that interest you.
If it is your first trip to NYC, I would dedicate a day to visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Next to it is the Castle Clinton National Monument, so that is an easy one to add on.
Statue of Liberty National Monument
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and liberty known worldwide, located on a 12-acre island in New York Harbor. However, most visitors are surprised to discover it’s a national park.
The trip will take half a day, and it’s a memorable experience seeing the details of Lady Liberty up close. A scenic ferry ride by the Statue of Liberty is not the same. This is one of the Best National Parks in NYC.
While on Liberty Island, visit the museum to learn about its construction. Then, climb the 215 stairs to the top of the pedestal to capture views of downtown Manhattan and the copper patina. (Additional tickets are required.)
Depending on the time of the year, these reservations sell out months in advance. I have done the Pedestal Access, and it was worth the effort. The Crown Access is on my bucket list.
How to Get There
Operated by Statue Cruises, the ferry departs from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. Explore the Statue of Liberty first, then re-board the ferry to tour Ellis Island, an additional stop. The first ferry leaves at 9:00 a.m., and the last one departs at 3:00 p.m., with extended hours during peak seasons. Adult (16+) ferry tickets are $25, kids (4 to 15) ferry tickets are $16 and kids 3 and younger are free. Tickets are required for everyone to board the ferry.
Separate reservations are required for Pedestal Access and Crown Access. Adult (16+) Pedestal and Crown tickets are $25.30, kids (4 to 15) ferry tickets are $16.30 and kids 3 and younger are free. Kids younger than 4 are not permitted in the crown. Tickets include a ferry ride.
Statue Cruises also operates a Statue of Liberty Ferry from New Jersey. Note: all passengers will pass through airport-style security before visiting the Statue of Liberty.
50 Places to Feed a Kid in NYC
Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
From 1892 until 1954, Ellis Island welcomed 12 million immigrants to the United States. Learn about immigration or look for family, Ellis Island Immigration Museum walks visitors through the facility that processed nearly 5,000 people daily.
Ellis Island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Since it’s a separate island in New York harbor, the only way onto the island is by the Statue Cruises ferry, which is an additional stop. No additional fee is required to tour, and hours are the same as the Statue of Liberty, open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.
Guide to the Best Museums in New York City
Castle Clinton National Monument
This National Park site is right next to the Statue of Liberty’s ferry dock. Originally built from 1808 to 1811 as a fort, the building transitioned from defense to immigration. Before Ellis Island opened, 8 million people passed through Castle Clinton onto a new life in the U.S.
With its location next to the ferry terminal for the Statue of Liberty, it is easy to visit Castle Clinton. It is one of the National Parks in NYC.
Located in Battery Park at the tip of Lower Manhattan, the Castle Clinton National Monument is open seven days a week from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to enter.
Top Places to Visit in Lower Manhattan
Federal Hall National Monument
Located on Wall Street, Federal Hall served as the first Capitol of the United States, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch offices. George Washington also took the oath of office as the first President of the United States at Federal Hall.
The visitor center is located at the Pine Street entrance. The Federal Hall National Monument is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and during the summer, it’s open Saturdays as well. Free to enter.
Top Things to Do in Midtown Manhattan
Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site
You can walk through history in a preserved tenement building on the Lower East Side. We toured the building that housed 7,000 working-class immigrants from 1863 until 1935 at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site.
With specialized tours focusing on Irish immigrants, Jewish immigrants and sweatshop workers, along with neighborhood tours, understand an immigrant’s life over a hundred years ago. This was one of my teen daughter’s favorite things to do in NYC. This is one of the Best National Parks in NYC.
The visitor center is located at 103 Orchard St. and is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.. Tours can be reserved in advance, and admission varies according to the tour.
Stonewall National Monument
You can visit the first national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights in the West Village. On June 28, 1969, the police raided Stonewall Inn, an area where people who identified as LGBTQ gathered.
During the raid, bystanders rebelled. It was the first step in LGBTQ equality. The area received its national monument designation in 2016.
Stonewall National Monument doesn’t have a visitor center. The monument includes Christopher Park, located across the street at the intersection of Christopher Street and W. 4th St. It is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to enter.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
You can walk through a Victorian-era townhouse where Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th U.S. president, spent his childhood. With five decorated rooms, learn about how “Teddy”, a sickly child, used exercise to strengthen his body and spirit.
The Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site features a visitor center on the first floor with a gift shop and interpretive film. To see the other floors, visitors need to be on a guided tour.
Located at 28 E. 20th St. The Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to enter, and tours are free. Tours are offered at 11 a.m., noon, 2 and 3 p.m.
African Burial Ground National Monument
Learn about the final resting place of more than 400 African Americans in lower Manhattan. A mass burial site from the 17th and 18th centuries retells the story of free and enslaved people in colonial New York.
The visitor center is on the first floor of the Ted Weiss Federal Building at 290 Broadway in lower Manhattan. The Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the outside memorial is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to enter.
Governor’s Island National Monument
Quietly protecting New York City, Governor’s Island was a military post and command headquarters from 1794 until 1966. Now, it is a recreation area for warm weather from the end of May until October 31.
Picnicking is popular on Governor’s Island. During the season, there are food trucks on the island too. Bicycles are available for rent on the island.
Located in the New York Harbor, a ferry departs from the Battery Maritime Building or Pier 6 in Brooklyn. Adult ferry tickets are $5, and kids 12 and younger ride for free.
Niagara Falls and the Maid of the Mist Guide
General Grant National Memorial
You can visit the largest mausoleum in North America at the General Grant National Memorial. Former President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, reside in the 1897 granite and marble tomb.
Located on Riverside Drive and 122nd St. The visitor center is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to enter.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
You can tour the historic country home of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury. Named after his ancestral home in Scotland, “The Grange” now resides in St. Nicholas Park.
There is a free guided tour at the Hamilton Grange National Memorial. It is offered several times a day.
Located at Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to enter.
Kids at National Parks
The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn more about a National Park Service site. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete. My kids love the badges the Rangers present them with after they complete their booklet.
Most national park sites in New York City offer Junior Ranger Programs. Ask a ranger at the visitor center for a booklet to complete based on age.
Comments are closed.