Castle Clinton, New York City

Name: Castle Clinton
Address: 26 Wall St, New York City, 10005-1996, United States
Telephone: +1 212-344-7220

#55 among attractions in New York City

Museum, History museum

Gallery (8)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / Public Domain • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC0 / Heike Huslage-Koch / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Aabdullayev851 / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Aabdullayev851 / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Martin Furtschegger / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Muncharelli / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Martin Furtschegger / URL

Facts and practical information

Castle Clinton stands as a historical fortress and a welcoming landmark in the heart of New York City's Battery Park. Built just before the War of 1812, Castle Clinton was originally an island fortification named Castle Garden, intended to defend New York Harbor. Over time, its role has shifted from military bastion to entertainment venue, immigration gateway, and now, a national monument.

The circular sandstone structure, with its robust walls and arched openings, offers visitors a glimpse into the diverse history of New York City. After its military service, Castle Clinton transitioned into America's first immigration station, predating Ellis Island, where it processed over 8 million immigrants from 1855 to 1890. It later became the New York City Aquarium, one of the city's premier attractions until the 1940s.

Today, Castle Clinton is an integral part of the Manhattan cultural landscape, serving as a gateway for visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The park surrounding the monument provides a serene environment amidst the bustling city, where tourists can relax and enjoy the waterfront views. Inside the castle, exhibits recount its storied past, from fort to entertainment venue to immigrant processing center.

Alternative names: Built: 1808 (216 years ago)Visitors per year: 2.95 mil.Coordinates: 40°42'13"N, 74°1'0"W

Address

26 Wall StDowntown Manhattan (Financial District)New York City 10005-1996 United States

Contact

+1 212-344-7220

Website

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New York City

Day trips

Castle Clinton – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Battery Park, Fraunces Tavern Museum, Westfield World Trade Center, Museum of Jewish Heritage.

~360 ftSE
Waterfront park with harbor views
Battery Park, New York City
2 min walk • Battery Park, a verdant oasis at the southern tip of Manhattan, offers New Yorkers and visitors alike a peaceful escape from the bustle of city life. This 25-acre public park, named for the artillery batteries that once lined the shore, boasts panoramic views of New...
~1490 ftE
Museum, History museum, Architecture
Fraunces Tavern Museum, New York City
8 min walk • Nestled in the heart of New York City's historic district, Fraunces Tavern Museum is a venerable institution that offers visitors a unique glimpse into the early history of the United States. Situated at 54 Pearl Street in Lower Manhattan, this museum is housed in one...
0.6 miNE
Shopping, Shopping centre
Westfield World Trade Center, New York City
16 min walk • Westfield World Trade Center is a shopping mall at the World Trade Center complex in Manhattan, New York, that is operated and managed by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.
~1080 ftNW
Museum, History museum, Specialty museum
Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York City
6 min walk • Nestled within the vibrant tapestry of New York City's cultural institutions, the Museum of Jewish Heritage stands as a poignant testament to the resilience and perseverance of Jewish life before, during, and after the Holocaust.
~1040 ftNE
Oldest NYC public park, since 1733
Bowling Green, New York City
6 min walk • Bowling Green is a small public park in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, New York City, at the southern end of Broadway.
~700 ftSE
Amusement park, Amusement ride
SeaGlass Carousel, New York City
4 min walk • The SeaGlass Carousel is a fish-themed carousel in Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan Island in New York City. The carousel opened to the public on August 20, 2015. The project to build a carousel was created by Warrie Price, founding president of the Battery Park Conservancy.
~880 ftE
Monuments and statues, Architecture
Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, New York City
5 min walk • The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is a custom house erected in 1902–1907 by the federal government to house the duty collection operations for the Port of New York.
~880 ftE
Museum
George Gustav Heye Center, New York City
5 min walk • The National Museum of the American Indian–New York, the George Gustav Heye Center, is a branch of the National Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan, New York City. The museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution.
~1330 ftNE
Park
Elizabeth H. Berger Plaza, New York City
7 min walk • Elizabeth H. Berger Plaza is a public park in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York City. formed by the triangular junction of Trinity Place, Greenwich Street and Edgar Street. It faces the Manhattan exit ramp from the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel.
~920 ftE
Church, Georgian architecture, Sacred and religious sites
Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, New York City
5 min walk • The Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton is located in the Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, a Roman Catholic parish church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York at 7 State Street, between Pearl and Water Streets in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York City.
~840 ftN
Museum, History museum, Specialty museum
Skyscraper Museum, New York City
5 min walk • The Skyscraper Museum is an architecture museum located in Battery Park City, Manhattan, New York City and founded in 1996.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Castle Clinton open?

Castle Clinton is open:

Monday 7:45 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 7:45 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 7:45 am - 5 pm
Thursday 7:45 am - 5 pm
Friday 7:45 am - 5 pm
Saturday 7:45 am - 5 pm
Sunday 7:45 am - 5 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Castle Clinton?

Nearby attractions include Battery Park, New York City (2 min walk), Whitehall Building, New York City (4 min walk), 17 State Street, New York City (4 min walk), James Watson House, New York City (5 min walk).

How to get to Castle Clinton by public transport?

The nearest stations to Castle Clinton:

Ferry

Battery Park • Lines: Sc-Ny (2 min walk)
Whitehall • Lines: Sif (8 min walk)

Bus

Greenwich Street at Battery Place • Lines: 120 (4 min walk)
Broadway & Battery Place • Lines: 120 (5 min walk)

Metro

Bowling Green • Lines: 4, 5 (5 min walk)
Whitehall Street–South Ferry • Lines: N, R, W (6 min walk)

Light rail

Essex Street • Lines: Hblr (31 min walk)
Exchange Place • Lines: Hblr (32 min walk)