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Maritime-Related National Parks in New York

 

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (also in DC, DE, MD, PA, VA)

  • Four hundred years ago, Englishman John Smith and a small crew of adventurers set out in an open boat to explore the Chesapeake Bay. Between 1607 and 1609, Smith and his crew mapped nearly 3,000 miles of the Bay and rivers and documented American Indian communities. Smith?s map and journals are a remarkable record of the seventeenth-century Chesapeake.

Castle Clinton National Monument

  • Located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, Castle Clinton stands where New York City began, and represents not only the city?s growth, but the growth of a nation. Initially intended to prevent a British invasion in 1812, the fortification has transformed over the years to welcome theatergoers, immigrants, sightseers, and now, millions of visitors to New York Harbor.

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network (also in DC, MD, PA, VA, WV)

  • Learn about and enjoy the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in North America. Here, you can visit major league cities, colonial towns, farms, and fishing villages. You can learn to kayak, pick crabs, go fishing, tour a lighthouse, slurp oysters, and slow down to enjoy the natural beauty of the Chesapeake.

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

  • Explore the Erie Canal and discover America's most famous and influential man-made waterway. Nowhere else will you find the distinctive locks and low bridges of the New York State Canal System or discover towns and cities whose watery front doors still give way to lively Main Streets. More than 500 miles of historic waterways and trails are here to explore.

Fire Island National Seashore

  • Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. With 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 pressure of nearby big-city life, dynamic barrier island beaches offer both solitude and camaraderie, and spiritual renewal.

Gateway National Recreation Area, Staten Island Unit & Jamaica Bay Unit (also in NJ)

  • We are not just Sandy Hook. We are not just the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge or Jacob Riis Park. We are not just Fort Tilden. We are not just Frank Charles Park or Hamilton Beach. We are not just Floyd Bennett Field or Canarsie Pier. We are not just Great Kills Park, or Fort Wadsworth, or Miller Field. We are one national park, we are Gateway.

Governors Island National Monument

  • From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army on Governors Island was part of the social, political, and economic tapestry of New York City. Today the island is vibrant summer seasonal venue of art, culture, and performance against the backdrop of two centuries of military heritage and the skyline of one of the great cities of the world.

Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

  • Designated by Congress in 2008, the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area stretches from the western boundary of Wheatfield, New York, to the mouth of the Niagara River on Lake Ontario, including the communities of Niagara Falls, Youngstown, and Lewiston. The region is home to natural wonders, rich cultural traditions, and nationally significant historical sites.

Statue of Liberty National Monument

  • "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886.?It was designated as a National Monument in 1924.

 

Are you interested in other historic maritime resources in New York? We have information about historic life-saving stations and historic lighthouses and light stations.