The Battery (formerly known as Battery Park) is an essential visiting experience for anyone traveling to New York City. Located on the southernmost part of Manhattan, The Battery offers beautiful views of the Hudson River. In addition, it is also home to many monuments that celebrate the city's rich history, such as Castle Clinton, which was where immigrants were first directed before the facilities on Ellis Island.
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There's an abundance of activities one can check out at the Battery on any given day. Statue Cruises offer daily ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You can also explore the gardens of The Battery, which are free and open to the public every day of the year. The SeaGlass Carousel is one of The Battery's more recognizable landmarks, and it's perfect for photos. Seaglass' aquatic theme pays tribute to The Battery being the original home of the New York Aquarium before it reopened in Coney Island. Tickets to the carousel cost $5.
- Statue Cruises, Statue Cruises, Battery Park/Ferry Slip, 877.523.9849
- Gardens of The Battery, State St. and Battery Pl., 212.344.3491
- SeaGlass Carousel, Water St. &, State St., 212.344.3491
Eat
If you're looking for a bite to eat, you won't be disappointed by the nearby restaurants. Whether you're craving Italian or in the mood for Mexican, you'll be sure to find something to satisfy your cravings. For a unique cultural experience, you can visit Lox Cafe, located in the Museum of Jewish Heritage. The cafe boasts a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty and is one of the only kosher restaurants in Lower Manhattan.
- Lox Cafe, 36 Battery Pl., 646.437.4231
- Inatteso Pizzabar, 28 West Street.,212.267.8000
- P.J. Clarke's, 250 Vesey St., 212.285.1500
Shop
For those who want to do a little bit of shopping, The Battery boasts several nearby malls. Brookfield Place is a shopping center with numerous luxury shops, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta along with smaller boutiques like Monica + Andy. Additionally, the shopping center holds frequent events such as art exhibits, live music and trivia nights. Another mall you can visit is the Westfield World Trade Center, which is the largest shopping complex in Manhattan. At Westfield, you can find stores such as Banana Republic, Boss, H&M and M.A.C. Cosmetics and artisanal options like Freedom Wine Cellar.
- Gucci, Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St., 212.634.8500
- Monica + Andy, Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St., 646.476.8048
- Freedom Wine Cellar, Westfield World Trade Center, 185 Greenwich St., 646.850.0261
Drink
Once the day starts winding down, you might be in the mood to grab a drink. Luckily, you’ll find that the Battery is home to a bunch of bars. Merchants River House has a great selection of food and beverages on their happy hour menu, along with an extensive selection of cocktails, beer and wine. If you’re in the mood for something more lowkey, there’s O’Hara’s, an Irish-American bar with a homely vibe. Treadwell Park is a beer hall that also offers customers access to games of pinball and ping pong to play.
- Merchants River House, 375 South End Avenue Hudson River, Esplanade, 212.432.1451
- O’Hara’s Restaurant and Pub, 120 Cedar St., 212.267.3032
- Treadwell Park, 301 South End Ave., 212.945.0528
