Battery Park From 17 John Street: The Harbor Edge of Lower Manhattan
By 17John ·
Quick answer
Battery Park sits at the southern tip of Manhattan, about a 12 to 15 minute walk from 17 John Street. It's where you catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, walk the harbor promenade, and find some quiet green space at the edge of the Financial District. Come early on a weekend morning and you'll mostly have the waterfront to yourself.
Battery Park is where you catch the ferry out to Liberty Island. · Photo by Josh Connor on Unsplash
Battery Park is the green wedge at the very bottom of Manhattan, where the island runs out and the harbor opens up. From 17 John Street it's about a 12 to 15 minute walk, straight down toward the water. You can head down Broadway past Bowling Green, or cut over to the waterfront and follow the promenade the whole way. It's one of the few spots in the Financial District where you can stand still, look at open water, and not have a skyscraper right on top of you.
It's also the launch point for the boats to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, so a lot of people pass through on their way somewhere else. That's a shame, because the park itself is worth slowing down for. Here's how we'd spend time there, and what's worth knowing before you go.
The harbor promenade
· ~12 min walk from 17 John Street · Free
Start here. The paved waterfront path runs along the harbor with clear views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the boats crossing to Staten Island. There are benches the whole way, and it's a genuinely good place to sit with a coffee. Mornings are quiet and the light is best before the crowds build.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry (Statue City Cruises)
· Departs from Castle Clinton in Battery Park · Ticketed; book ahead
This is the only official ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and it leaves from right inside the park. Buy tickets in advance online, because the same-day line can be long and the walk-up tickets sell out on busy days. Give yourself time for the security screening before boarding.
Castle Clinton
· Inside Battery Park · Free to enter
The round stone fort near the water started as a defense battery in the early 1800s and has since been a theater, an immigration station, and an aquarium. Today it's the ferry ticket office and a small national monument you can walk into for free. Quick stop, but a nice bit of history while you wait for a boat.
The SeaGlass Carousel
· Inside Battery Park · Small ticket fee
A carousel where you ride inside glowing fiberglass fish instead of horses. It sounds odd and it kind of is, but kids love it and it only takes a few minutes. Worth a stop if you're staying with family.
Bowling Green and the Charging Bull
· ~8 min walk from 17 John, on the way to the park · Free
The small oval of Bowling Green is the oldest public park in the city, and the famous bronze bull statue stands just north of it. It gets crowded with photos midday, so swing by early or late if you want a clean shot. It's right on the route down to Battery Park, so it's an easy add.
The Battery gardens and lawn
· Inside Battery Park · Free
The northern half of the park has planted gardens and an open lawn that fill in with color through spring and summer. It's a good picnic spot, and you can pick up food back near the hotel or in the seaport before you walk down.
