How to see the National Parks Sites of Lower Manhattan in two days

I love National Parks, I think there’s almost always something interesting to see or learn at each of them.

There are 7 national park sites in lower Manhattan. (Note - this does not include Governor’s Island NM). I visited them during three different trips over the past 5 years, but I think this would work for a busy two-day itinerary. It of course, all depends on how much time you want to spend at each location.

These are the seven from south to north:

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Castle Clinton

Federal Hall

African Burial Ground

Tenement Museum

Stonewall

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace

And here is what I would suggest, however available tour times may require some changes.

Day 1 - Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Castle Clinton, and Stonewall

Day 2 - Tenement Museum, African Burial Ground, Federal Hall, and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace

Day 1

Eat an early and big breakfast, it’s going to be a busy day! Also there may not be many great food options ahead. Head to Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan. First, Castle Clinton NM, it’s a quick and easy visit, it’s also where the ticket office is located for tickets to Liberty and Ellis Islands. It is necessary to plan ahead and make reservations to visit the Crown, and it must be reserved in advance with Statue Cruises. I highly recommend it, unless you are unable to climb stairs or are claustrophobic. Catch the first ferry to Liberty Island, explore the statue and grounds, visit the crown if you have tickets and then head to Ellis Island.

At Ellis Island, see the Museum and explore or research your geneology if you had family members who immigrated through NYC.

Jump on a ferry back to Manhattan and take the subway to Christopher Park to see the small park and inn that is Stonewall National Monument, commemorating the LGBT community’s protests at the Stonewall Inn in 1969. It’s one of the newest national park sites, and is not completely developed yet.

If you have lots of time left in the day, swing by Federal Hall or African Burial Ground.

Day 2

Start your day at Russ & Daughters with some bagels and lox, either at the deli or the restaurant, but go early, it gets busy fast, at least on the weekends. Just down the block, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum starts tours at 10:00. The tour goes into a floor of a lower east side tenement building frozen in time. There are a number of tours to choose from, so pick one or more that sounds interesting to you and book tickets in advance. It doesn’t necessarily sell out, but it will make it easier to plan your day.

After your tour, walk or ride the subway over to African Burial Ground National Monument. A small, but interesting site, where large number of buried African Americans were found during building construction. Spend some time in the museum.

Is it lunchtime yet? Chinatown is close by and Xi’an Famous Foods is a great option.

Federal Hall National Monument is about a 15 minute walk from African Burial Ground. Federal Hall, in the middle of the financial district is small, yet grand, among the towering buildings. It’s where George Washington was inaugurated.

And last, but not least, Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, where Teddy Roosevelt was born. Access to the house is only available by guided tour, so check the tour times in advance to figure out what time works best.

For the northern end of Manhattan, see General Grant NM and Hamilton’s House.

Hungry yet? Make reservations at Cosme. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks fabulous.