Battery Park & Waterfront Loop: A Lower Manhattan Walk With Views

Battery Park sits at the southern edge of Manhattan, where the skyline opens and the harbor begins. It’s one of the easiest ways to experience Lower Manhattan on foot — water on one side, historic streets on the other.

Whether you’re arriving by ferry at Pier 11 or walking down from the Seaport, this short waterfront loop offers skyline views, historic landmarks, and plenty of spots to pause.

Start: The Esplanade

Begin along the waterfront path just west of South Street. The promenade gives you open harbor views, ferries moving across the river, and a direct sightline to the Statue of Liberty on a clear day.

Early morning and golden hour are the best times for light along the water.

Castle Clinton & Historic Edges

Continue south toward Castle Clinton, one of Manhattan’s oldest landmarks. From here, you can see how the city meets the harbor — a contrast of historic stone structures and modern glass towers.

Battery Park blends history and open space in a way few neighborhoods can.

The Loop Toward Brookfield Place

From Battery Park, head north along the Hudson River Greenway toward Brookfield Place. The marina, winter garden, and river-facing seating areas make this stretch ideal for a relaxed walk.

This entire loop can be done in under an hour, but most visitors linger.

Local Prep (Midtown)

If you’re planning photos along the waterfront later in the day — especially around golden hour — some visitors schedule beauty appointments earlier while they’re still uptown.

Ellebrow is a permanent makeup studio located in Midtown Manhattan, convenient to both Grand Central and Rockefeller Center before heading downtown.