Fort Wadsworth

Best place in Staten Island to get away from city life and just enjoy some nature with beautiful sea views. Totally loved it - the walking trails and scenic spots make you forget you're still in NYC. Perfect for when you need some peace and quiet with great views.

What is today Fort Wadsworth has been the site of some military fortification since 1655. By the time of the American Revolutionary War the site was known as Flagstaff Fort and later Fort Richmond. That fort was reconstructed around 1847 which is the beginning of the structures we see today. The fortification became known as Fort Wadsworth in 1865 and was named for Brigadier General James Wadsworth who fought for the union army during and was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness. During the late 1800s and early 1900s the 14 gun batteries we see today were constructed and many remained active through World War II. The site, siting in the shadow of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is now part of the national parks service. The area is open to tour on foot though many of the sites can only be accessed via a parks department guided tour.

Honestly, the views here are just incredible - you get the Verrazano Bridge plus the skylines of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Jersey City all from one spot in Staten Island. What I really loved was how the fort and batteries aren't just historic sites, they're surrounded by these amazing walking trails right along the shore. Saw plenty of fishermen and bikers on the main promenade, but even on a mid-October weekend it never felt crowded. And in NYC where parking's always a nightmare, having several free parking lots was such a welcome bonus.

Best spot in Staten Island to see the Macy's fireworks, hands down. Everywhere else gets completely packed, but not here. You get this front row seat to Brooklyn with fireworks sprinkling the sky - just an amazing view without the crowds. The harbor overlook views make it perfect for events like this. Couldn't be happier with how peaceful it stays even during big NYC events.

Visiting Fort Wadsworth turned out to be this really emotional experience for me. Walking in, it felt like stepping into another time with all those old stone walls and hidden tunnels in Staten Island. You can just sense all the history in this place - it's not just some landmark, it feels alive with stories. But what really got me were the views: seeing the NYC skyline in the distance, all that water, and the Verrazzano Bridge rising up. Couldn't believe how much military history and natural beauty come together here.

Beautiful national park in Staten Island - well worth making the effort to visit just to see the nature. Dog friendly too, which is great for us. The walking trails are perfect for a nice stroll with views.

Great place to visit on Staten Island with some beautiful views on Brooklyn and Manhattan too.

This place in Staten Island has PERFECT views of the Verrazzano Bridge and you can see the rest of NYC too. What's amazing though is how huge and empty it feels - would make such a nice spot for a family cookout or birthday party. More local Staten Islanders really need to discover this place because it's got everything: picturesque, peaceful, historical, and filled with nature. Honestly, all it needs is some good vendors or events and it could be THE spot. The walking trails and scenic photography spots are just incredible.

One of our favorite places to visit in Staten Island - the view of New York Harbor, Manhattan, Jersey City, and the Verrazano Bridge is just stunning. There's plenty of free parking at the lower level (though the upper level's more limited), which makes visiting so easy. You can walk the grounds and if you park down below, it's an easy walk to the beach near the campground. Just a heads up: you can't enter the fort itself, and if you accidentally do, law enforcement will approach you. But if you're lucky, you might spot some wildlife while exploring the historic sites.

Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island is a great place to visit any time of day. Love the old building remains of this historic and mysterious landmark fort. The National Parks Department does an excellent job patrolling and maintaining everything - feels safe and well monitored. They really make this park a pleasant place to visit with all the historic sites kept up so well. Strongly recommend checking it out.

Nice short walk around a historical fort. There’s a vantage point just under the bridge that has, in my opinion, one of the nicest views of NYC anywhere in the area. Might not be worth visiting from the city on its own, but if you’re otherwise in the area you should absolutely stop by.

The grounds at Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island are just beautiful - free entry, always clean, never crowded. So many picture-perfect areas that are perfect for strolling, sightseeing, jogging, or small photo shoots. We usually come here when we want a nice place to take pictures for special days like graduations or birthdays - even saw a bride and groom once! Would definitely say small groups of 3-5 work best though, since you want to be respectful of people who just come to relax or enjoy the view. The scenic photography spots here are really something special.

Neat little piece of history that’s FREE to visit! Great view of the Fort and City! Don’t skip this!

Not much parking at top. But lots of parking on lower area and you can just walk up. Pretty cool place to explore. Have tours for some places. It every time I came it wasn’t open. Really. Ice area to go for a run or walk around. I’ll come down there next time. When I start running I might come here to run.

Used to live in the area and visited often, now I bring classes here on trips to Staten Island. It's such a beautiful spot for dog walks, family photos, exploring, and touring the forts. Ranger Ernie was amazing on my latest visit - thank you so much for such a detailed tour, you're a natural teacher. FYI for anyone reading: you can actually reserve a tour of the Tompkins Fort. The military history tours here are really well done.

Good place to check out Verrazano Brodge.

beautiful views of the bridge and the fort, I made a stop during the bike ride

Beautiful, well kept landmark with magnificent views of the city and the Verrazano narrows bridge, nice place to walk and enjoy the views of this historic place.

Yet another one of these places you tend to pass over and around yet you never really stop and look. Fort Wadsworth is an often forgotten location that offers a splendid walk in a rather cramped and congested borough. Offering up a visitors center and plenty of free parking, there’s little reason not to find time to explore this forgotten relic of another time. With magnificent views of the Verrazzano Bridge and distant views of the NYC and the Brooklyn shores, along with the remains of the crumbling fort and lighthouse, there’s a lot to take in. it’s also a fantastic spot to unwind and even pack a lunch. Next time you’re in Staten Island, stop and take a gander. You’ll be glad you did.

Nice day to walk around the ruins, and a path leads to a campsite and beach