Battery Gardens

Battery Park is located at the southernmost point of Manhattan in New York City's Financial District. It is a jogger's paradise and place where you can set sail, enjoy views of the Hudson River, hop on a ferry to visit Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty or Staten Island, enjoy restaurants, fountains, memorials and more. It has something for all ages.

Parking and public transportation at Battery Park
Parking in this area is extremely limited. Public transportation on the subway is recommended from Manhattan via the Local 1 to South Ferry or Express 4/5 to Bowling Green or from Brooklyn/Queens via the R/W to Whitehall Street. The M6 and M15 buses stop here as well.

Best and worst time to go to Battery Park
Battery Park is busiest during the day when the financial offices are open and during tourist season, which is essentially year round and peaks during the holidays. Visits to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are recommended during the week when possible, ideally the early morning tours to avoid the crowds.

Admission to Battery Park
There isn't an admission to visit Battery Park, but ferry rides and tours of Ellis Island and Liberty Island typically range from $9 - $43. It is recommended that you purchase tickets in advance. Look into the New York CityPass for those visiting multiple landmarks in the city.

Must see/do at Battery Park
Stroll along the river to take a break from the chaos of the city, enjoy the sites and people watch. Grab a bite or drink with spectacular views at P.J. Clarke's on the Hudson or SouthWest NY, especially during the summer when the patio opens.

Other places to visit near Battery Park
Battery Park is located in close proximity to the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street and South Street Seaport among other attractions in the Financial District including shopping, restaurants and much more.

Insider tip for visitors to the Battery Park
Ride the Staten Island Ferry roundtrip which is free (yes, free) and offers stunning city, Hudson River and New Jersey views along with some of the least expensive drinks you will find in New York.

Author's bio: Hastings Malone is manages the Marketing, Events and Writing consulting business Southern Charm Communications. She is a freelance contributor to a variety of publications who called NYC home for five fabulous years before migrating back south.