New York National Parks

The diverse landscapes of New York national parks depict the history and culture of this country through stories of immigrants entering America, the nation’s only site dedicated to a first lady, the reliving of life in the 18th and 19th centuries, memorials to those who led and fought in battles, historical figures, and the early beginnings of the feminist movement. You can also escape the city to the seashore or hike scenic trails.

Visit These New York National Parks:

African Burial Ground National Monument: From the 1690s until the 1790s, both free and enslaved Africans were buried in a 6.6 acre burial ground in Lower Manhattan, outside the boundaries of the settlement of New Amsterdam, later known as New York. Lost to history due to landfill and development, the grounds were rediscovered in 1991 as a consequence of the planned construction of a Federal office building.

African Burial Weather

Appalachian National Scenic Trail: The People's Path, and America's First National Scenic Trail   "The body of the Trail is provided by the lands it traverses, and its soul is in the living stewardship of the volunteers and workers of the Appalachian Trail community."

Castle Clinton National Monument: Located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, Castle Clinton represents not only the growth of New York City, the the growth of a Nation. First intended to keep out a British invasion in 1812, the Castle has transformed over the years to welcome theater goers, immigrants, sightseers and now millions of visitors to New York Harbor.

Castle Clinton Weather

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network: First thoughts of the Chesapeake Bay often bring up images of crabs and oysters. But, as the largest estuary in North America, the Chesapeake Bay has touched and influenced much of the American story - early settlement, commerce, the military, transportation, recreation and more.

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site: A few days after Franklin D. Roosevelt died in April 1945 a reporter hailed his widow outside her home and asked for a statement. "The story is over," she replied. True, Eleanor Roosevelt’s many years as the most influential First Lady ended suddenly with the death of her husband, but her own story continued for nearly two more decades.

Eleanor Roosevelt Weather

Ellis Island National Monument: Opened on January 1, 1892, Ellis Island became the nation's premier federal immigration station. In operation until 1954, the station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers. The main building was restored after 30 years of abandonment and opened as a museum on September 10, 1990. Today, over 40 percent of America's population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island.

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor: The official Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor website provides a unified venue for information from Corridor sites on many levels --federal, state, local, and private.

Erie Canal Weather

Federal Hall National Memorial: Here on Wall Street, George Washington took the oath of office as our first President, and this site was home to the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices. The current structure, a Customs House, later served as part of the US Sub-Treasury. Now, the building serves as a museum and memorial to our first President and the beginnings of the United States of America.

Federal Hall Weather

Fire Island National Seashore: Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife—Fire Island has been a special place for diverse plants, animals and people for centuries. Far from the sounds and pressures of nearby big-city life, Fire Island National Seashore's dynamic barrier island beaches offer solitude and camaraderie, and spiritual renewal to civilization-weary people.

Fire Island Weather

Fort Stanwix National Monument: Discover how people endured harsh conditions along the Oneida Carrying Place. Learn how the American victory at this frontier fort directly contributed to the British defeat at Saratoga in 1777; setting the stage for westward expansion through New York. Follow in the paths of the people who made history in the Mohawk Valley during the American Revolutionary War.

Fort Stanwix Weather

Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site: From his birth in 1882 Franklin Roosevelt belonged to a tight-knit group that valued tradition and continuity. A major player in the events of the 20^th century and a man whose life was turned upside down by personal tragedy, FDR was sustained by constants: a large family, old friends, and the house and grounds of Springwood.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Weather

Gateway National Recreation Area: Gateway provides abundant recreational and learning opportunities, from swimming, boating and fishing to team sports, bicycling and nature study. The nation's oldest operating lighthouse, forts that defended America, and sites that trace aviation’s early days tell significant stories. The living world can be explored in a wildlife refuge, holly forest, ocean dunes and coastal uplands.

General Grant National Memorial: Overlooking the Hudson River from the Morningside Heights section of Manhattan, General Grant National Memorial is the largest tomb in North America. Grant's Tomb (as it is commonly called) is not only the final resting place of the General, but a memorial to his life and acomplishments. 

General Grant Weather

Governors Island National Monument: For more than two centuries, the military communities on Governors Island were woven into the intricate social, political and economic tapestry that is New York City. From 1776-1996, Governors Island stood as a silent sentinel in New York Harbor, and provided protection of the ideals represented by the Statue of Liberty across the Bay.

Governors Island Weather

Hamilton Grange National Memorial: Hamilton Grange, the home of Alexander Hamilton from 1802 - 1804, is being moved from its original site on W. 143rd Street to 141st Street & St. Nicholas Avenue - Northwest corner of St. Nicholas Park. It is expected to open to the public again in 2009.

Hamilton Grange Weather

Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area: Explore the 150-mile valley and discover its rich scenic, historical, cultural, and recreational resources from Troy to Yonkers. Wander the streets of old steamboat ports on both sides of the Hudson. Stop in villages containing stone houses and churches built in the 1600s and 1700s by Dutch, English, and Huguenot settlers.

Hudson River Valley Weather

Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site: The heart of the museum is the historic tenement, home to an estimated 7,000 people from over 20 nations between 1863 and 1935. Tour the tenement's cramped living spaces. Learn about the lives of past residents and the history of the Lower East Side. Throughout the year, take part in programs such as walking tours, plays, art exhibits, and readings that represent the immigrant experience.

Lower East Side Weather

Manhattan Sites: You can discover some of the most fascinating people in American history at the Manhattan Sites.  Visit the homes of Alexander Hamilton and Theodore Roosevelt, the tomb of Ulysses Grant, a Revolutionary War church, a fort from the War of 1812, and the place where George Washington became President.

Manhattan Weather

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site: Politics before the Civil War was a whirlwind of opposing interest groups. Martin Van Buren was able to unite those groups becoming president in 1837, but he was unable to gain a second term. As frustration and violence over the extension of slavery grew in the 1840's, Van Buren ran for the presidency twice more from this house. He hoped for re-election but failed, ultimately, just as the union.

Martin Van Buren Weather

National Parks of New York Harbor: You may be surprised to learn that there are 10 National Parks with 23 unique destinations in New York City and northern New Jersey. The National Parks of New York Harbor includes nearly 27,000 acres and welcomes more than 12 million visitors each year.

New York Harbor Weather

North Country National Scenic Trail: Our northern tier of States offers some of the most outstanding scenic beauty to be found anywhere in America. The "North Country" is a land of diversity whose beauty is accentuated by its distinctly changing seasons. As you travel the North Country, the hills and valleys, lakes and streams, show how the glaciers molded the landscape. Historic sites along the way tell the story of how America was settled and grew as a nation.

North Country Ratings

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site: Sagamore Hill was the home of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the US, from 1885 until his death in 1919. From 1902 to 1908 his "Summer White House" in Oyster Bay, New York was the focus of international attention. Otherwise it was home to a most remarkable fellow and his interesting family. Sagamore Hill is seeking college students for employment; click on link at left.

Sagamore Hill Weather

Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site: St. Paul's Church helps to tell the story of the development of colonial society and the road to the American Revolution. It consists of an 18th century stone church that was used as a Revolutionary War hospital, a cemetery with burial stones dating to 1704 and the remnant of a Village Green that was the scene of the famous Election of 1733 which raised issues of Freedom of Religion and the Press.

St. Pauls Church Weather

Saratoga National Historical Park: Here in the autumn of 1777 American forces met, defeated and forced a major British army to surrender. This crucial American victory renewed patriots' hopes for independence, secured essential foreign recognition and support, and forever changed the face of the world.

Saratoga Weather

Statue Of Liberty National Monument: Located on a 12 acre island, the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

Statue of Liberty Weather

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site: Not all Presidents were born in log cabins. One was actually born in a New York City brownstone! Visit the birthplace and boyhood home of Teddy Roosevelt and see what it was like to grow up in the "gilded age".

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace Weather

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site: As president, Theodore Roosevelt created protections for ordinary citizens, began regulation of big business, and made the US a major force in international affairs. Yet one of the most important presidencies in America's history nearly didn't happen. See the place where a brief, emotional, and improvised ceremony in Buffalo, NY brought TR into office, and forever altered the nation.

Theodore Roosevelt Inauguration Weather

Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River: As a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System of the US National Parks, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River stretches 73.4 miles along the New York-Pennsylvania border. The longest and one of the cleanest free-flowing (undammed) rivers in the eastern United States, the Upper Delaware features riffles and Class I and II rapids interspersed with pools and eddies.

Upper Delaware Ratings

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site: Long after his death, the Cornelius Vanderbilt was described thus: "The largest employer of labor in the United States, he despised all routine office work; kept his figures in a vest-pocket book; ate sparingly; never speculated in stocks; never refused to see a caller; rose early; read Pilgrim’s Progress every year, and, for diversion, played whist and drove his trotters whenever he could." At his death in 1877 he had $100 million.

Vanderbilt Weather

Women's Rights National Historical Park: For Emily Collins, who went on to start a local equal rights organization, and for other women of 1840s America the news of a women’s rights convention was a vivid reminder of their inferior status.

Womens Rights Weather     Womens Rights Ratings