Good-for-Kids Rating

Rate Battery Park:

Babies

Toddlers & Pre-K

School-Age Kids

Pre-Teens & Teens

submit

Battery Park Description

As New York City's front lawn, the 25-acre park is packed with things to see and do — plus the many paths make it the perfect place for kids to run their energy out. This park was once much smaller — twice in the 19th century it was expanded with landfill to create this magnificent space. The views here are extraordinary, unobstructed ones of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn and New Jersey. The park is full of gardens and tree lined paths dotted with memorial commemorating our country's military history. It is also the temporary home of Fritz Koenig's sculpture The Sphere, which stood on the World Trade Center's plaza for 30 years and was salvaged from the wreckage in 2001. The National Park Service runs Castle Clinton, which, over the years, has served as defense, a cultural center and even an aquarium for the city. You can't miss the lines of people snaking through its heavy doors waiting for a ticket to another National Park, The Statue of Liberty. Be sure to check out our other Lower Manhattan vacation ideas.

Kid Tips

Toddlers & Pre-K: The Battery Park Conservancy is building an amazing Sea Glass Carousel for children. Instead of horses this one will sport luminous fish.

School-Age Kids: Near a Picnick kiosk look for some fun musical boards in the ground. Kids can step this wonderful functional art installation and create their own music. I had a hard time pulling my son away.

Planning Notes

Bathroom break. There are plenty of bathrooms in this park. Outside the playground in The Battery Gardens restaurant building (look for the green maple leaf sign), inside Castle Clinton as well as others scattered around the park.

Bring your sunscreen. When you leave the tree lined area to walk along the harbor there is no shade to be had.

Lady Liberty. If you plan on seeing The Statue of Liberty this is the place to do it. Tickets are available from the National Parks Service inside Castle Clinton. Make sure to get there early and be prepared to stand on line.

Snack time.Grab a snack or linger at a wrought iron tables outside one of the Picnick kiosks in the park. Picnick serves up locally sourced sandwiches, soups, salads and drinks which they serve in biodegrade papers and plastics. The prices are reasonable ($8 for a sandwich) and each seat comes with an amazing views of the harbor. Located just East of Castle Clinton, Picnick is open until 5 p.m. with extended hours in the summer.

Stop at the Castle.Make sure to step in side the Castle Clinton, National Historic Site. This is where you can get tickets to the Statue of Liberty Ferry run by the National Parks. There is also history displays, the remnants of the original battery wall plus an ATM, bathrooms, a water fountain, a souvenir store and long, long lines.

Related Vacations