The Little Red Lighthouse

This is a little out of the way for most people but worth it. The views are uninterrupted and not crowded. The area the different and unique. The lighthouse is small but worth the visit. The bridge is amazing and the cliffs on the New Jersey Shore are beautiful

Worry the walk I’d say! Was nice to see New York from this angle too. You can walk right upto the light house and it’s well maintained

Worth the hike up here from lower in Manhattan cause you really get to take a break from the city life and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The lighthouse is small and it wasn’t too crowded nearby on the day I was there. Would go back again for more nice pictures!

If you're in the area, this is an absolute must visit !!! Tucked away under the George Washington Bridge is this somewhat hidden NY treasure ,The Little Red Lighthouse, this charming decommissioned Lighthouse is one of the few surviving ones in New York City and the main character in the children book "The Little Red Lighthouse and The Great Gray Bridge " If you like to take pictures ,go for a walk ,or just enjoy the scenic views of The Hudson River and The George Washington Bridge, you shouldn't miss this place !!! ❣️

If you love taking photos, the Riverbank State Park trail is perfect for you. It's filled with spots to capture beautiful portraits and landscapes. You can walk all the way from Battery Park to Inwood Park, passing by Inspiration Point along the trail. If you like to walk, it's a quick 20-minute stroll from the 181st A train station, just four blocks away from the trail entrance.

The view of the bridge is pretty awesome. The lighthouse is a very cute photo spot. I ride up on the Hudson, it is a great ride for cyclists of all levels. If you are looking to avoid crowds, my pro tip is to start your ride on 125th street and go during work hours. Anything south of 125th seems to always feel a little crowded. Enjoy! Wear your helmet!

If your 9to5 is in the area, this is a great place to break from it. It’s a place to daydream, to contemplate your past, future, and present life choices and decisions.

A lovely heritage at the end of the Hudson River cycling path. We started from Pier 79 and spent 50 mins or so on a bike doing some leisurely cruise. There were quite a lot of serious cyclists which mean we have to stick on the right side of the lane to let them pass.

A nice and long walk up to the little red lighthouse. Beautiful area and there is a nice public bathroom in the area.

Lovely views of the lighthouse just underneath the George Washington Bridge. A few ways to get there...there is the longer way is to park and walk from Riverbank State Park area and is just under a 2-mile walk (about 40-45 minutes) along the Empire State Trail/Hudson River Greenway to get to the Lighthouse. The shorter way is to park in the Riverside Drive area. You can pretty easily find residential street parking spots alon Cabrini Blvd. or Fort Washington Ave. in the mid-morning weekends. From there, you can take the overpass (Henry Hudson Parkway) on Riverside Drive near 181st Street/PLaza LaFayette to get to HUdson River Greenway/Empire State Trail. Take this (ramp makes it easily accessible for bikes and strollers) to get to the Red Light House under the bridge. This way is about 0.5 miles and will take you about 12-15 minutes to walk to. Whichever route you choose you should spend some time walking south along the Trail as the views of the bridge are amazing...a lovely walk (or bike) on a nice day.

For as many times as I have driven over the George Washington Bridge, I did not know that there was a lighthouse underneath it until I started researching sites to visit while I was nearby at the Met Cloisters. Officially, Jeffrey's Hook Light, the current Little Red Lighthouse was built in Sandy Hook New Jersey where it stood until 1917, when it became obsolete. It was reconstructed at its current location in 1921 by the United States Lighthouse Establishment as part of a project to improve Hudson River navigational aids. Construction on the George Washington Bridge, immediately above the lighthouse, started in 1927. When the George Washington Bridge was completed in 1931, the lighthouse was considered to be obsoleted by the bridge's navigational lights, and the Coast Guard decommissioned it and put out its light in 1948, with the intention of auctioning it off. After a public outcry, the Coast Guard deeded it to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation on July 23, 1951. If you've not read "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge", I suggest you do so. It is a cute story about how even the small are important. There is a summary on the Wikipedia page, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Red_Lighthouse Public access to the lighthouse is by the Hudson River Greenway, reachable north of the George Washington Bridge by a footbridge across the Henry Hudson Parkway at West 182nd Street and Riverside Drive, and south of the bridge by a footbridge at West 158th Street. The northern path is very steep immediately north of the bridge, while the southern path is flat. There is also a very obscure pedestrian underpass at Riverside Drive parallel to 177th Street, just south of the George Washington Bridge. It empties out on the other side of the Henry Hudson Parkway and it's a dirt path down to the lighthouse. There are a number of picnic tables and some shade near the lighthouse. [Review 15646 overall - 243 in New York - 1150 of 2021.]

Amazing views, easy to get to, parking across the parkway also relatively easy. Construction equipment under the GWB tucked away, not really a factor in experience. Cool place to picnic, take in view of downtown, or start a run along the Hudson river parkway.

Highly recommend taking some time in the warmer months in NYC to visit the Little Red Lighthouse. Such a cute lighthouse under the George Washington bridge. If you didn't know the children book "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge" was written about their friendship and journey. This time around I couldn't go into the lighthouse. Honestly I don't know if it's closed because of COVID. Anyhow just hanging by the rocks, benches or even on the grass is beautiful. I see lots of cyclists enjoying the breeze and taking in the view. It's a great spot to have a picnic or read a book. It's a bit of a walk from the train station if you are taking public transportation. So take the A or C train to 181st street then follow the George Washington bridge. I personally think you'll enjoy each and every moment of your walk to the lighthouse. The scenery is mystic! Very impressive!

This lighthouse is a sight to behold. It looks out of place under the bridge. The trek to get here is an adventure itself. This is the direction I took: Take the train to 181st St. and walk west to Plaza Lafayette. Cross the footbridge and take a left down the path under the overpass. Cross over the railroad tracks and follow the path to the left (south). The lighthouse is almost directly under the George Washington Bridge. Good luck!

My daughter lives in this neighborhood and is getting ready to move out so we went for a walk to The Little Ted Lighthouse. It's a sweet little spot and a peaceful walk under the GW bridge.

Less sexual, but cheaper, than the Little Red Whorehouse. Also more legal. It's impossible not to love the beautiful little red Lighthouse, which is part of Fort Washington on the very North End of Manhattan. Who knew that there's a lighthouse on the very Northern tip of Manhattan? I did not know it until I came here. I never noticed it before. But it's definitely beautiful. Very memorable. And definitely part of the charm of seemingly endless unexplored Manhattan. That's by me anyway - until now.

Idk if I've been in an information coma but I only learned about this lighthouse from an episode of God Friended Me and,appaled at my la k of NYC knowledge DH made it his mission to get me here. Well here we are. After walking the GWB 2 days ago I was intrigued by the park below. Turns out its quite a large park and beautiful. If you get the chance go visit. It's quite a historical landmark.

Built in 1880 to protect shipping passing Sandy Hook, NJ, it didn't arrive on the New York side until 1921 to addresses the dangerous shoals at Jeffrey's Hook, the narrowest point of the Hudson River in northern Manhattan. This same geologic pinch point was why the George Washington Bridge was anchored at its eastern tower in the same deep granite place. Just so happens, it was right above the Little Red Lighthouse, dwarfing it and assuming responsibility for warning off ships/barges running too near the shallows. This David & Goliath relationship attracted Hildegarde Swift and Lynd Ward to write/draw the childrens book, "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge," that gave humanity to to the proud 40' conical lighthouse, and friendly compassion to the intimidating giant above. As kids we learned that rather than competition, they lived together side by side, with the GWU warning off airplanes not to fly too low, and the Jeffrey's Hook Light still lighting the way for river traffic. Poetic license, but it worked. There was purpose for both, regardless of size and age. They became fast friends and protectors, with generations of kids learning a moral lesson from this wholesome tale. Moreover, these families came to its defense when the Coast Guard planned to take it down and sell for scrap. They organized to save Little Red, until it was donated to the city parks system for all to appreciate in posterity. I was one of those children, with the awesome benefit of living nearby in Washington Heights, walking to Fort Washington Park and imagining my dramatic role in this epic adventure.

A historic lighthouse underneath the George Washington bridge but not much else here and in a state of disrepair

The Little Red Lighthouse is the subject of a children's book that I read many years ago. It was my delight when I accidentally discovered that The Little Red Lighthouse was real. I was on the Hudson River Greenway bicycling north when I noticed a little red lighthouse underneath the George Washington Bridge. In the 1970's NYC wanted to remove The Little Red Lighthouse, and a grass roots effort to save the lighthouse was created. Proceeds from the sale of the book helped to save the lighthouse. It is quite a nice find if you bicycle or run in the upper part of Manhattan.

Sometimes in New York, what you see is what you get. No hidden allusions to something deeper or under the surface, some things are explained exactly as they're called. Case in point is the Little Red Lighthouse under the George Washington Bridge. Is it little? You bet! Is it red? Bright as a fire engine! Is it a lighthouse? Obviously. Is it under the George Washington Bridge? I'll let you look at a map and decide. While most people see the lighthouse as a passing glimpse as they make the trip into New Jersey, coming upon in on the ground is even more fun, doubly so when you're allowed to climb up to the top of it! Only 4 stories high and narrow on the top, the lighthouse is not a climb that will exhaust many, but still well worth the climb to survey the Hudson River and see the Palisades from across the river. Usually closed, coming by on Open House New York or the Little Red Lighthouse festival at the end of the summer lets you climb to the top. For all other days, when the lighthouse is closed, there is still a lovely park nearby that allows you to bask in the splendor of the lighthouse under the bridge

When I would tell my friends I want to see Little Red Lighthouse, they had no idea where or what it was. Personally, I've seen photos and scaled models at NY train shows, but never in person. It was about time I made a trip. To tell you the truth, finding a way to cross that darn highway on foot was an adventure on it's own... Google maps would direct you across GWB - may be they think you can climb down from there? Not sure. But after finding wayfinding blog with pictures, crossing multiple bridges & underground tunnels with bums, dranks, and just weird people, I finally made it to the clearing. (Park itself is pretty safe, unlike getting there) It is most unusual scene, simply little red lighthouse under the bridge. Is this there trolls live? Did they strike a deal with red riding hood for rental property? It's so tiny and so strange, with span of the bridge overshadowing it and spectacular views of Hudson opening up in both directions. Enjoying a great summer day on a bench by the tree is relaxing. But It was time for me to get back to my truck and on the road again. ...Want to guess what happened next?.. Yep, I got lost crossing that crazy highway again. Seriously, visit, but find that blog with instructions how to get there and follow it to the end. That is the end of my adventure here, yours is next.

So peaceful, whether for sightseeing away from tourist-packed areas or for a quiet picnic near the Hudson River. (And yes, there are several picnic tables to choose from.) There is no signage directing bike or foot traffic there, but it's easily accessible from 182nd St. down a steep hill, or you can take the Hudson River Greenway from the south if you're allergic to walking down a few hundred feet from civilization (a.k.a. the western part of Washington Heights). The Little Red Lighthouse is a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city.

Amazing view seems safe I was there alone taking photos til about 11pm the people were nice and the light house is an awsome photo subject

Excellent. 1) This is a gem of place. It is very cute. 2) The GW Bridge going past it is a fantastic view. 3) Must visit.

Manhattan's only remaining lighthouse sits beneath the George Washington Bridge, an adorable little beacon pluckily standing ground against the big grey behemoth above it. Incongruous and so very cute, this is the basis of the 1942 children's book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge. There are several picnic benches nearby, so it's quite easy to make a day of it and stroll along the Hudson greenway, have a leisurely picnic, play some tennis in the nearby courts, watch the sailboats pass. Bring the kids, they'll love it. To get here, take the A to 181st St, walk toward the Hudson River, cross over the West Side Highway on the footbridge at 181st St & Cabrini Blvd and follow the walkway under the George Washington Bridge. Each October it's open to the public during Open House New York and you can climb up to the observation deck. Fun!

The Tourists and hipsters can have the High Line , this is for real New Yorkers! It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Jeffrey's Hook Lighthouse in 1979. The trail getting there is pretty long and it is half the adventure. It looks like a rustic New England trail and it feels like it is worlds away from the city! There are clean bath rooms that are maintained. They have running hot water and the bathrooms are heated. The trail goes all the way to Battery Park City. Going back up to the street level you have to go the way you came. Otherwise it is another half mile to the street at least. Walk here and you'll get buns of steel!

I discovered this place by accident while walking along the west coast of Manhattan. As it turns out, some friends of mine who had read "The Little Red Lighthouse," asked me about it when I posted photos of it online. The area is really picturesque with great views of the Hudson River, the George Washington Bridge, Manhattan, New Jersey, and, oh yeah, the lighthouse itself. I've heard that they occasionally open the lighthouse to the public, and you can check things out inside. I'd love to be at one of those openings, but unfortunately I never had the pleasure. It is a bit of a hike to get to, but as some reviews have already said, the hike is definitely worth it. If you take the subway to the George Washington Bridge, walk along the north side of the bridge. You then take a right (when you can't walk west anymore) and then a left over a bridge that takes you over the train tracks. You then walk south and then along a winding road to the lighthouse. Or you can walk along the Hudson River (the first time I walked there, I had walked north from West Harlem Piers Park). My directions make the walk sound a bit more complicated than it really is. Once you get there, you can have a picnic or barbeque, or just relax and enjoy the area.

Who can forget the lighthouse story book? I just read in AMNY that the little red lighthouse would open up for people to go inside and up to the top (40 feet) today, and had to check it out. The process was pretty tedious and inefficient-you sign in, then you wait for your name to be called, then you wait as you go up and down the stairs & ladder. But other than that, can you really give this lighthouse such a low rating? Not much to see at the top that you already saw on the bottom, but it was nice to go up, crawl through an open square space, and see the big, decorative key used to enter this baby building. Plus, having the GW bridge and waters in the background made it extra scenic. I'm sure coming here on a sunny versus windy day would be nice, since there are several picnic benches around, as well.

Love to pass this on my runs. Beautiful hidden gem. I love to rest up here during long work out sessions.

I don't get the hype about this place, but eh, I'm not a native new yorker. It's small and cute, and it reminds me of the little Lighthouse under the Golden Gate Bridge at fort mason. It's cool, and a neat little find. If you want to seem like a know-it-all, bust out this little gem when someone claims to have seen everything in NY. I don't know how to get here via fossil fuel, but the easiest way to get here, well easy if you don't mind riding a bicycle a few miles, is via on the West Side Highway bike trail. I ride by it all the time, as my self propelled mode of transportation chisel my manly sculpted legs on each powerful pedal stroke as I head past the Cloisters and Fort Tryon. When I visit here with my boo in the future, I'll provide an updated review - everything seems more amazing when she's around.

I haven't been here but it seems like a magical place. Can't wait to see it in person soon.

What a treat, every time I see this iconic lighthouse. It still looks cool under the bridge and the story is fun to read about if you don't know it. The approach by bike is really the easiest, I recommend a ride up the bike path from 98 St, where you can ride along the Hudson with no wall/fence/barrier. They even call it a "beach" and you can sit on the rocks along the river! A cairn sculpture park up near 175 St is cool and there are nice places to enjoy some peace. I love the bike path, as it passes through park, industrial and recreational areas, all the time hearing the highway, seeing the occasional Amtrak train pass by, and then the GW bridge looming over you. If you go on weekends, know that the bike path is quite busy, especially near the 158 St. rec area, a fun and joyous party on the weekends. The little red lighthouse and the great gray bridge!!

The Little Red Lighthouse is a cute little NYC gem that few people know about. It's not in operation and you can't go inside but it's nice to look at and know the history of it. I first found it when I was biking the NYC greenway from Inwood down to Battery Park and had no idea there was a historic lighthouse in Manhattan seemingly hidden under the GW bridge. Apparently they open the tiny lighthouse to visitors every once in a great while but I'm sure it's more picturesque from the outside anyway. As always, here's a history lesson: Originally called the North Hook Beacon where it stood in Sandy Hook, NJ from 1889 (when it was built) to 1917 Moved to this location to help Hudson River navigation from 1921-1947 Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 as "Jeffrey's Hook Lighthouse" (it's also a NYC landmark)

How cute!!! I loved this!!! I didnt even know we had a lighthouse, let alone the last one in manhattan. It is historic, beautiful, and informative. Photogenic and worth the trip to look at some amazing views of the jersey sky line, and the bridge, come at sunset, that is the best. there are 4 picnic tables, perfect for a picnic and wine. or for running and exorcising , whatever your interest is (mine is food and wine for sure haha) be careful of bicyclists going to fast....stay to the side of the road when walking, and just go to the lighthouse, stay and relax a while. make sure to read about it, it has clips from the book that are so cute.

My rating is actually 4 and a half stars. Stumbled upon this gem while on a run. It's a nice park with beautiful views of the hudson river. It's not crowded so bring the kids along but the downside of that is it's a little bit of a hike going down to this place. We came in at 181st. There seems to be a sprinkler so I guess it's a sprayground during the summer. There are picnic tables with barbecue grills. This is a nice route to include in your training runs because of the uphill/downhill course you get going to the park.

Nice little park right under the GW brige. There is a bike path that goes through it and it has 10 tennis courts.

Only lighthouse in NEW YORK, NY! Located under the George Washington bridge. If you are strolling on the west side path, take a trip over here, the area is quite nice. I know it is far for you down towners, but make a trip of it.

Great area for a run along the river in the warmer months. And how cool is it that it is NYC's ONLY lighthouse? Definitely worth a visit if you live/work in the area, or if you're willing to go for a long run along the Hudson.

What a view, never been so close to the George Washington Bridge and suspect most people don't even know you can get this close, let alone see such a marvel as a little red lighthouse. Great spot on the Northern section of the greenway in Manhattan too for those looking for a long hike/walk or bike.

First I'll admit that I've never actually been inside the Lighthouse, but it remains my favorite place in NYC. When I lived on the Upper West Side, in the warm months, I would make the 8 mile trek along the Hudson Greenway to this structure nestled in the shadow of the George Washington Bridge, that by all rights should not belong. But, belong it does. It is genius. And there's some nice hiking just beyond it.

What an utterly charming spot! Melts your heart. I went up to 175th and then hiked under the bridge and down through the park which was fine--if you have the time. This was not made for super-easy pedestrian access so be prepared unless you have time to walk up the river. Still, it's a stunning thing to see!

If you don't know the story behind this - this adorable lighthouse has gone through a lot to be preserved and is one of the last remaining lighthouses in New York City. It's made famous due to a children's book, where this official New York City landmark is the star. Work a quick trip (it's not far to get to from the George Washington Bus Terminal on 178th St).

Lighthouses remind me of home, of the North Shore of Long Island, or of the South Shore of Long Island, or of the covers of typically bad seaside novels. The Little Red Lighthouse is neither patrolled nor guardrailed; set below the GWB, it's really quite modest (read: small). Due to said redness, however, you can spot it from quite a distance.

Exactly what you expect it to be. There are picnic tables. Nice place to ride your bike to. You see it, take a picture and go, unless you want to sit at the picnic table. On the water (since it is a light house), so that is nice.

This is one of my favorite places to go to in Manhattan to watch the sunset - amazing views of both the bridge, New Jersey, and lower Manhattan :) Definitely worth a trip if you are in the area.

I can't help but remember the story everytime I think about this lighthouse. I like to think of it welcoming me home after a good ride.

i went during the fall, and it was perfectly picturesque with the foliage. we accidentally got off around 140 street, and decided to walk up, which is the way to go. the main path comes to an end, and there is a stretch of dirt road. wear sneakers and escape nyc while still in nyc. the lighthouse itself is adorable.

A little gem in upper Manhattan. Look on the internet for when it is open for ascent to the top. Great fun!

Love walking here and back from the 157th street entrance near my place. On a nice day, bring a blanket, snack, and a good book and you can spend hours here with an incredible view. Nice hidden NYC gem.