Castle Clinton was founded in 1808 to a design by John McComb Jr., and is listed as a New York City Landmark. Today you can wander the open-air fort and step into its exhibits; rangers lead guided tours every day, with the schedule posted on the exhibit door, and children can pick up the Junior Ranger program.
The fort sits inside Battery Park, and the last stretch is on foot, by bike or by wheelchair, so plan the walk in from the nearest stop rather than a drop-off at the gate.
The trade-off is the crowd it shares space with: the ticket kiosk for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry is inside the fort, and in busy seasons those ferry tickets often sell out early, so if the ferry is part of your day, sort that out before you settle in for the ranger tour.
Family FAQ
How much does Castle Clinton cost?
Free for everyone, year-round; no entrance fee or pass required.
Do you need to book Castle Clinton in advance?
No booking or entrance pass is needed for Castle Clinton itself.
Is Castle Clinton a good choice in bad weather?
The fort itself is open-air; there are also exhibits to visit.
Is there parking at Castle Clinton?
You cannot drive to the site, and local parking is scarce and expensive.
