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If you find yourself in downtown NYC, do yourself a favor and spend some time meandering through Battery Park! (Which FYI is now officially called “The Battery,” but it will always be Battery Park to me!)

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It had been about a decade since I was last there, and I was absolutely blown away by the beautification efforts that have been made to transform this public park into a place full of lush gardens and meaningful remembrance. What used to be a park you really only went to in order to catch the ferry to Ellis Island or to begin a walking tour of Manhattan is now (in my opinion) an absolute must-see when visiting NYC!

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What not to miss in Battery Park:

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➡ Castle Garden, the world’s first immigrant depot

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➡ The Gardens of Remembrance, dedicated to those who lost their lives on 9/11 and to those who survived (which is where I took this photo)

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➡ The Battery Labyrinth, a contemplative walk commemorating the 1-year anniversary of 9/11

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➡ Battery Urban Farm, a farm founded by NYC students and that now grows more than 100 different vegetables right in the heart of the park!

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➡ Perennial gardens (195,000 square feet of them!)

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➡ “The Immigrants” sculpture, celebrating the diversity of NYC and the struggle experienced by immigrants

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➡ SeaGlass Carousel

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➡ American Merchant Mariners Memorial, dedicated to all merchant mariners who have served America since the Revolutionary War

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➡ Coast Guard Memorial, honoring those who served their country in WWII

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➡ East Coast Memorial, honoring the 4,601 missing servicemen who lost their lives in the Atlantic Ocean during WWII

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➡ Korean War Veterans Memorial

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➡ Bosque Fountain

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➡ Playscape, a multi-level playground with 5 ecology zones inspired by nature (opening Fall 2021)

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➡ Lady Liberty! Catch a glimpse of her from the waterfront or board a ferry at the harbor to visit Ellis Island.

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Have you ever explored Battery Park? If so, what was your favorite part?