Fort Jay, New York City

Name: Fort Jay
Address: Governors Island, New York City, United States

#307 among attractions in New York City

Forts and castles

Gallery (3)

Map

Gallery

Facts and practical information

Fort Jay is a coastal bastion fort and the name of a former United States Army post on Governors Island in New York Harbor, within New York City. Fort Jay is the oldest existing defensive structure on the island, and was named for John Jay, a member of the Federalist Party, New York governor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Secretary of State, and one of the founding fathers of the United States. It was built in 1794 to defend Upper New York Bay, but has served other purposes. From 1806 to 1904 it was named Fort Columbus, presumably for explorer Christopher Columbus. Today, the National Park Service administers Fort Jay and Castle Williams as the Governors Island National Monument. ()

Coordinates: 40°41'29"N, 74°0'58"W

Address

Governors IslandNew York City United States

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New York City

Day trips

Fort Jay – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Battery Park, Castle Clinton, Fraunces Tavern Museum, Castle Williams.

0.8 miN
Waterfront park with harbor views
Battery Park, New York City
21 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...
0.8 miN
Historic fort with small museum
Castle Clinton, New York City
22 min walk • 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.
0.9 miN
Museum, History museum, Architecture
Fraunces Tavern Museum, New York City
22 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...
~1050 ftNW
Museum, Military museum, View point
Castle Williams, New York City
6 min walk • Castle Williams stands as a stoic monument on Governors Island in New York City, New York. This robust, circular fortification, constructed between 1807 and 1811, was designed by architect and engineer Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Williams, with its primary purpose...
0.9 miN
Oldest NYC public park, since 1733
Bowling Green, New York City
25 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.
0.7 miN
Amusement park, Amusement ride
SeaGlass Carousel, New York City
19 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.
0.9 miN
Monuments and statues, Architecture
Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, New York City
23 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.
0.9 miNE
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
New York City Police Museum, New York City
24 min walk • The New York City Police Museum is a museum that has featured the history and contributions of the New York City Police Department since its establishment in 1845.
0.9 miN
Museum
George Gustav Heye Center, New York City
23 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.
0.8 miN
Church, Georgian architecture, Sacred and religious sites
Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, New York City
20 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.
~30 ftW
Memorial, Historical place
Governors Island, New York City
1 min walk • Governors Island National Monument, a unit of the United States national park system, is located in New York City on 22 acres of Governors Island, a 172-acre island located off the southern tip of Manhattan Island at the confluence of the Hudson and East Rivers in New York Harbor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Fort Jay open?

Fort Jay is open:

Monday 10 am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday 10 am - 4:30 pm
Friday 10 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Fort Jay?

Nearby attractions include Governors Island, New York City (1 min walk), Governors Island, New York City (1 min walk), Admiral's House, New York City (5 min walk), Castle Williams, New York City (6 min walk).

How to get to Fort Jay by public transport?

The nearest stations to Fort Jay:

Ferry

Whitehall • Lines: Sif (17 min walk)
Battery Park • Lines: Sc-Ny (21 min walk)

Metro

South Ferry • Lines: 1 (19 min walk)
Whitehall Street–South Ferry • Lines: N, R, W (22 min walk)

Bus

South Ferry/Terminal • Lines: M15-Sbs (19 min walk)
Broadway & Battery Place • Lines: 120 (24 min walk)