Last Updated on April 2, 2022
Within every urban jungle, cohabitants crave space and nature – two things that are simply redundant to the metropolis lifestyle. Fortunately, New York City has done a phenomenal job getting creative with the lack of real estate available, such as utilizing rooftops or creating the High Line. The Big Apple’s newest outdoor attraction, though, takes the space off the island to create… Little Island NYC!
What is Little Island NYC?
Little Island NYC is a man-made floating park formed on pot-shaped stilts in the Hudson River. This space used to be the home of Pier 54, but after deterioration and structural damage from Hurricane Sandy in 2012, it was time to get creative. This $260 million project has been in the works since 2013 and finally opened in May of 2021.
Manhattan’s floating park represents a leaf drifting on the water. With 35 species of trees, 65 species of shrubs, and 270 species of grasses and other plants, this lush green space is just what New Yorkers needed in their concrete jungle.
Resident artists perform at the park’s amphitheater (Amph) or one of the many spaces in the park to showcase their talents through dance performances, concerts, plays, and more. Little Island even holds occasional Perform in the Park auditions for local artists to have the opportunity to be featured for a season.
Where is Little Island in Manhattan?
This Floating Park in NYC is located on the west side of Manhattan at Pier 55 right off of Hudson River Greenway, and sits between 13th and 14th Street.
Sitting just west of Greenwich Village, Little Island is a perfect spot for tourists and locals wandering around the Village and Chelsea to stop over to visit the attraction.
How to get to Little Island in NYC?
Like anywhere in the city, there are plenty of options for how to get to Little Island in NYC. This all depends on where you are coming from.
Walking
Since Little Island is pretty centrally located, walking is always a great option (and my preferred way to get around the city). Walking allows you to also discover tons of other new things going on around town that maybe you would miss if you were in an Uber or on the Subway.
Subway
Speaking of, Subway is another great option if you are coming from a different part of the city. The closest subway stop is at 14th Street, which services the A, C, E, and L, as well as the 1, 2, 3, and the F and M trains. From the Subway station, you’ll have to walk a short distance westward to get over to Little Island.
Bus
I rarely mention bus as a way to get around the city, only because I personally don’t find it to be the best mode of transportation. Sometimes, though, depending on where you are traveling from, a bus may make most sense. You can get to Little Island via bus on the M11, M12, and M14 SDS buses which stop at 14th Street right next to the floating park.
Uber/Ride Share
Uber or whatever new ride sharing services are out there nowadays is a more expensive option, but if you’re looking for door-to-door park service, then this is a great alternative. Driving yourself is an alternative, but driving and parking in the city can be very stressful.
What is there to do on the Floating Park in Manhattan?
Little Island is simply a modernized park…that is floating over the Hudson River. So you can expect typical “park things” like plenty of greenery and benches for people to sit.
Additionally, you’ll find features like the amphitheater (or Amph) and the Glade, where you can watch performances, artists, and musicians – be sure to check their website prior to your visit, as some events do require ticketing to limit the number of guests.
Like many NYC parks, you’ll be sure to find some delicious bites and beverages that you can enjoy in the green space. Though, note that the park’s food service closes during the cold-weather season. At times, the park hosts talks and performances centered around food sustainability and other culinary industry trends.
When to visit Little Island in New York City?
Little Island is open year-round from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM during the summer months and 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM during the winter and spring months.
On weekends and holidays, timed entry reservations are required for afternoon visits, so it’s best to go in the morning or during the week when the park is less crowded.
How to get Little Island tickets NYC?
If you are visiting Little Island in NYC during the week (Monday through Friday), you do not need Little Island tickets to enter.
If visiting Little Island on the weekend or a holiday, you will need to reserve a time to visit to help limit the number of guests at one time. There is no cost to reserve your ticket, it is merely just a way to control crowds during busy times.
Wanting to attend a performance at Little Island? You can find events and tickets here, which also includes your entry into the park.
My experience visiting Little Island in New York City
I visited Little Island in NYC on a Friday in late September, just four months after the floating park opened on May 21, 2021. Luckily, due to visiting on a weekday, I did not have to reserve my time slot to enter the park.
It was around 2:30 PM EST when I entered the park. I wandered around for about 45 minutes or so, which gave me enough time to get a feel for everything.
I entered the park on the North Bridge from 14th Street, which led me straight into the Play Ground, or food court area, of the park.
There are a few different paths you can go on that lead to different overlooks – the Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest overlook. You can see New Jersey, One World Tower, and other landmarks from these viewpoints.
At the time I was visiting, there was a dance company practicing in the Amph for their performance that evening. I sat and watched for a few minutes before I moved on to scope out the Play Ground.
The Play Ground, or the food court, had multiple food trucks set up. They were selling sandwiches, pretzels, baked goods, coffee and tea, as well as beer and wine. I had just eaten lunch, otherwise I would definitely have tried some of the bites here – they looked delicious!
After enjoying the green space and the magnificent views of the city for a bit, I left the park to go explore Chelsea Market (which is right across the street).
Day Trip Itinerary:
If you’re looking for a great day trip itinerary on the lower west side of Manhattan, I highly suggest:
- Little Island in the morning
- Chelsea Market
- Explore Greenwich Village and Chelsea
- Walk the High Line to Hudson Yards
- Check out the Vessel
- Stop by the Edge Observation Deck (make reservations for this!)
You can also add on the Upper West Side to your day trip!
I hope you enjoy this new New York attraction as much as I did! New York City can be so innovative and creative — and Little Island certainly reflects that. I definitely plan to visit again and hopefully have the chance to experience the food, artists, and performances that make this park so unique.
Tell me about your experience visiting Little Island in NYC or share your other must-see attractions in New York!
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