Castle Clinton National Monument
Castle Clinton National Monument
Castle Clinton National Monument
3.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Once serving as the United States Army headquarters during the War of 1812, this historical monument commemorates the 1811 West Battery Fort built to defend New York Harbor.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
How to get there
- Broad St • 2 min walk
- Wall St • 2 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
- JackOld Bethpage, New York3,390 contributionsCool fortCool fort. There is a small visitors center in the center. It’s cool to check off your bucket list, but overall not much to do there. It’s in the heart of Battery Park and is surrounded by many statues. I recommend.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 19 November 2023
- Irene Eng2,371 contributions... on my way to Liberty IslandThis circular sandstone fort is in Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan, also known as Castle Clinton or Castle Garden. Built in 1808, this landmark had held the immigrants before Ellis Island in the 19th century; and went on to serve as beer garden, exhibit hall, theater and reportedly, as an aquarium. I often stop by when I'm in the area. It's centrally located in lower Manhattan. Today I'm here to catch the ferry to Liberty Island on my island hopping trip.Visited July 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 24 April 2024
- FLHarlockTavares, Florida4,951 contributionsDoorway to Liberty!Castle Clinton is amazing with incredible history! This is your first stop to the Statue of Liberty. Once inside there’s a great national parks store. Restrooms are also available. This fort used to protect lower Manhattan. Definitely recommended!Visited June 2024Travelled soloWritten 9 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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3.5
211 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
77
Average
91
Poor
21
Terrible
1
Greg Harris
Bronx, NY2,072 contributions
July 2020 • Couples
The Castle Clinton is sandstone made fort located in Battery Park and recognized as a U.S. National Monument.
The Castle Clinton was America’s very first immigration station, (precedes Ellis Island) and is believed to have processed 8 million immigrants from the 1850’s up until the 1890’s.
Today, the Castle Clinton showcases a small exhibit on the American immigration experience, features promotional displays of other National Monuments, and serves as the ticket station for the Statute Cruises, the vessels that bring passengers to and from Liberty and Ellis Island.
In 2018, I brought my wife and myself to Castle Clinton National Monument to pick up our Statue Cruise tickets. We took great pictures of the Castle Clinton and were treated very well by the Statute Cruises staff.
The Castle Clinton was America’s very first immigration station, (precedes Ellis Island) and is believed to have processed 8 million immigrants from the 1850’s up until the 1890’s.
Today, the Castle Clinton showcases a small exhibit on the American immigration experience, features promotional displays of other National Monuments, and serves as the ticket station for the Statute Cruises, the vessels that bring passengers to and from Liberty and Ellis Island.
In 2018, I brought my wife and myself to Castle Clinton National Monument to pick up our Statue Cruise tickets. We took great pictures of the Castle Clinton and were treated very well by the Statute Cruises staff.
Written 14 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christopherbO9687MP
Acton, MA726 contributions
Mar 2021
Castle Clinton is a historic fort, but the museum rooms within it remain closed due to COVID restrictions. So there is not much to see except a few remaining placards outlining its history remaining in the courtyard. Until the main museum rooms are reopened, the only reason to visit this site is to purchase State of Liberty and/or Ellis Island tickets.
Written 10 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqui F
London, UK312 contributions
Sept 2019
We stopped at Castle Clinton to use the toilets/restrooms. Then, out of curiosity, we slipped into the small gallery in the castle. It contains a set of panels and some brilliant dioramas showing the history of the castle and of Battery Park, which basically didn’t used to be there at all. If you are in Battery Park and interested in the changing landscape of Manhattan, it’s a great little exhibit to drop in on.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack
Old Bethpage, NY3,390 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Cool fort. There is a small visitors center in the center. It’s cool to check off your bucket list, but overall not much to do there. It’s in the heart of Battery Park and is surrounded by many statues. I recommend.
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irene Eng
New York City, New York2,371 contributions
July 2023 • Friends
This circular sandstone fort is in Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan, also known as Castle Clinton or Castle Garden.Â
Built in 1808, this landmark had held the immigrants before Ellis Island in the 19th century; and went on to serve as beer garden, exhibit hall, theater and reportedly, as an aquarium.
I often stop by when I'm in the area. It's centrally located in lower Manhattan. Today I'm here to catch the ferry to Liberty Island on my island hopping trip.
Built in 1808, this landmark had held the immigrants before Ellis Island in the 19th century; and went on to serve as beer garden, exhibit hall, theater and reportedly, as an aquarium.
I often stop by when I'm in the area. It's centrally located in lower Manhattan. Today I'm here to catch the ferry to Liberty Island on my island hopping trip.
Written 24 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FLHarlock
Tavares, FL4,951 contributions
June 2024 • Solo
Castle Clinton is amazing with incredible history! This is your first stop to the Statue of Liberty. Once inside there’s a great national parks store. Restrooms are also available. This fort used to protect lower Manhattan. Definitely recommended!
Written 9 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheLeongOhana
United States7,505 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
The castle was under heavy construction but remained open for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry.
When we walked around inside there was not much to see. Would not recommend.
When we walked around inside there was not much to see. Would not recommend.
Written 31 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carpentersgowest
Nashville, TN48 contributions
July 2019
Our boys like to collect badges from the Junior Ranger program implemented by the National Park Service. We were in New York City, but did not want to pay and wait to go all the way to the Statue of Liberty. We asked the park ranger on duty about completing the junior ranger for Statue of Liberty without going across on the boat. He informed us that in order to get the Statue of Liberty badge we had to go across, but that we could complete the booklet for Castle Clinton and receive a badge from him. The booklet and learning about Castle Clinton turned out to be really interesting as it matches the changes in New York City. It was a great way to spend our morning.
Written 13 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China174,502 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
We visited the Castle Clinton monument last week and found it to be an interesting attraction at the lower end of Battery Park, where the boats leave for the Statue of Liberty.
Castle Clinton seemed to have an interesting history and there is free information there describing its role in the shaping of lower Manhattan. We especially liked reading about its usage by the early Dutch settlers, finding this a refreshing change from the financial oriented nature of the attractions we had spent the previous hours observing nearby.
Unfortunately, with the importance of the various attractions all around it, the Castle Clinton Monument is highly overshadowed and quite an unknown attraction to visitors mainly passing through just to purchase ferry tickets in route to the Statue of Liberty. If time permits, this national monument is well worth 10-15 minutes just to browse around and have a look. Its a small attraction, easily manageable in this short amount of time.
Castle Clinton seemed to have an interesting history and there is free information there describing its role in the shaping of lower Manhattan. We especially liked reading about its usage by the early Dutch settlers, finding this a refreshing change from the financial oriented nature of the attractions we had spent the previous hours observing nearby.
Unfortunately, with the importance of the various attractions all around it, the Castle Clinton Monument is highly overshadowed and quite an unknown attraction to visitors mainly passing through just to purchase ferry tickets in route to the Statue of Liberty. If time permits, this national monument is well worth 10-15 minutes just to browse around and have a look. Its a small attraction, easily manageable in this short amount of time.
Written 18 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scottcabal
Folkestone, UK314 contributions
This place is often overlooked by many, including those that visit it. It was the US Army Headquarters for a while and it a nice building. It's where you can get your tickets to go see the Statue of Liberty but you don't have to get tickets to enjoy it.
I'm sure at some point in NY you'll visit Battery Park be it to enjoy the views, get the Staten Island Ferry or to madly get the overpacked boat to the Statue of Liberty after several hours queuing. So, when here, take some time to look at the building and find out more about it.
Even if you don't do more than just take a few photos of it this area is nice to walk around and relax in. You can also laugh at the VERY long queue for the Statue of Liberty if you're feeling evil that day.
Overall it's a nice building and it's historican value is often overlooked, but you won't need to spend too long here.
I'm sure at some point in NY you'll visit Battery Park be it to enjoy the views, get the Staten Island Ferry or to madly get the overpacked boat to the Statue of Liberty after several hours queuing. So, when here, take some time to look at the building and find out more about it.
Even if you don't do more than just take a few photos of it this area is nice to walk around and relax in. You can also laugh at the VERY long queue for the Statue of Liberty if you're feeling evil that day.
Overall it's a nice building and it's historican value is often overlooked, but you won't need to spend too long here.
Written 22 May 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
20-30 min tops. If you stop and read everything. It’s very small.
Written 21 April 2019
When taking a cab from midtown to Castle Clinton, how long a walk is it to get to Castle Clinton from where cabs drop you off?
Written 2 February 2017
I would say about a level block. Nice park area.
Written 3 February 2017
How do I get there using public transportation
Written 18 September 2016
We took Via there (similar to Lyft or Uber but less expensive). However the Bowling Green Metro stop is close by and several bus stops are close by also. Depends on where you are coming from.
Written 18 September 2016
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