For more than 200 years, Battery Park has been an invaluable part of New York City’s history. The area was named for the artillery battery that was stationed in this area at various times by the Dutch and British. In 1855, Castle Garden, situated inside the Park, became the world’s first immigrant depot, decades before Ellis Island was built. Although its role has changed, people from around the world still visit Battery Park for a view of the city’s past. Today, it is a 25-acre public park located at the southern tip of Manhattan, facing New York Harbor.
Battery Park is a popular choice for visitors and tourists, with its bikeways and promenades making it a favorite outdoor spot of New Yorkers. Ferries dock at its shore to pick up visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and all summer long concerts play on its grounds.
Battery Park in Popular Movies & TV Shows
While we do not yet visit Battery Park on our New York tours, you will recognize the area from some of your favorite TV shows and movies.
Battery Park conceals the underground World Headquarters of the Men in Black.
In the Seinfeld episode, “The Bookstore,” Kramer and Newman find their stolen rickshaw in Battery Park. The first ‘wolfen’ attack in the 1981 film Wolfen, starring Albert Finney and Gregory Hines, takes place in Battery Park. In the 2008 film The Wackness, Luke (Josh Peck) tells Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley) that he nearly lost his virginity there two years ago.
To explore other popular locations from Seinfeld fans can take the When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour.
Madonna fans will remember the 1985 film Desperately Seeking Susan. A newspaper personal ad with the headline “Desperately Seeking Susan” proposes a rendezvous in Battery Park with the man who regularly seeks her. A bored suburban housewife, played by Rosanna Arquette, goes to Battery Park too, and gets a glimpse of the woman (played by Madonna) whose life so fascinates her, setting off the plot of the film.
Battery Park also set the scene for the ending of Raising Helen, starring Kate Hudson. The picturesque park is where Helen, Dan and the kids walk together near the Statue of Liberty at the end of the film.
For a taste of New York City history both on- and off-screen, don’t miss a visit to Battery Park during your New York trip.
* In an effort to stay current, we are constantly updating our tours with new locations and cannot guarantee the presence of locations mentioned on our site. If you have a particular interest in locations from a specific TV show or movie, please let your tour guide know and we will do our best to accommodate your request.